Excellent Weekend.

The weather was forecast to be good this weekend and Susan's much improving back meant that she was keen to get onto the higher fells.

On Saturday we headed out early on a cold but clear morning to do the Newlands Horseshoe. Parking at Little Town we first climbed Robinson via it's NE ridge. A steady pace soon saw us at an empty summit with tremendous views thanks to very clear air. From here it was onto Hindscarth where we met the first two walkers of the day and had a rest for a drink and some cake. 

Dale Head was the next top and on this leg we started to meet more folk out enjoying the stunning weather. The descent from here is steep but didn't take long and we were soon climbing back up to High Spy. We found a sunny spot near the summit away from the crowds for lunch before carrying on to finish the round over Maiden Moor. 

Susan's back was much better and even the journey home wasn't too bad.

Starting the ascent of Robinson.

At the foot of the first steep climb.

On the NE ridge of Robinson.

A stunning day to be on the fells.

Approaching the short scrambling section of the ridge.

Susan enjoying the easy scrambling.

Looking back down the ridge to Skiddaw.

On the upper ridge heading for the summit.

Robinson summit.

Looking to the High Crag - Red Pike ridge above Buttermere.

Heading for Hindscarth.

The ascent to Hindscarth - superb views!!!

Hindscarth Summit.

Heading to the large shelter on Hindscarth for some food and a drink.

Heading for Dale Head.

On the climb up Dale Head with another stunning backdrop.

Dale Head summit looking down Newlands.

Heading for High Spy.

This pond had several frogs laying their spawn.

Looking back to Dale Head.

Just beyond High Spy heading for Maiden Moor.

Great views over Derwent Water to Skiddaw and Blencathra.

Approaching Cat Bells.

A final view across Derwent Water before ......

..... descending to the car.

Today dawned sunny and we were again away early to make the most of it. We had five of our 'Lakeland 100 Tops' on our tick list. We started by climbing Ullock Pike via it's north ridge and then carried on over Long Side to Carl Side. The air was not as clear as on Saturday but it was again great to be out in sunshine. 

From Carl Side it was steeply up onto Skiddaw and before we reached the ridge there was a noticeable drop in temperature and an increase in wind speed.. Hats, gloves and jackets were needed so winter has not completely gone from the high tops.

After a drink and a slice of cake we descended the north ridge to tick off Bakestall, the lowest top on our list, before dropping down to Dash Falls and the walk back to the car. The round took 4 hours 30mins so Susan's back is not holding her back and is definitely on the mend.

One of the best weekends for sometime.

Starting the Ullock Pike ridge.

Casting shadows on another lovely morning.

Powering up the ridge.

Ullock Pike summit.

On the ridge to Longside.

Two shots on Longside summit.

Carl Side summit and the path up Skiddaw.

Susan starting the climb.

The Long Side - Ullock Pike ridge.

Looking back to Carl Side.

Much colder near Skiddaw summit ridge.

Skiddaw summit.

Lunch stop shelter just below the summit.

Heading for Bakestall - the lowest top in the 100 list.

Looking north to Scotland from the summit.

The long walk back to the car.

Dash Falls.

Spring has arrived - so why does it still feel like winter?