No change in the weather.

The weather has remained stormy in Cumbria limiting what can be done outside. As has been the pattern of late Wednesday was the best day of the week and I was lucky enough to get out for a solo ascent of Blencathra. I couldn't complete my planned route due to path closures so instead parked at Scales and climbed to the summit via Scales Tarn. The cloud base was below the summit but it stayed dry and was not too windy. A thin layer of overnight snow added to the landscape but there were no extensive views. I descended via Scales Fell ridge and was back at the car after about 3 hours.

The Glenderamakin Valley and a cloud covered Sharp Edge.

Looking down the valley to Great Mell Fell.

Scales Tarn and Sharp Edge.

No views from the summit but here it is.

Descending Scales Fell ridge.

Looking down Doddick Fell ridge.

Lower down Scales Fell.

On Scales Fell.

The views improved as I dropped down to the car.

Shafts of sun illuminate St. Johns in the Vale.

The summit almost cleared.

Sunshine and no wind almost back at the car.

Thursday was wet and windy but Jeff, Pete and I continued training at the Keswick Climbing wall. We can't wait to get out onto the crags.

Friday was my second Fix the Fells drain run of 2016. Fifteen volunteers met up at Bowes Barn just outside Keswick in Borrowdale. With gales forecast most people elected to work on low paths but I joined a group of 5 to work on the path leading from Rosthwaite up to Rigghead Quarries near Dale Head Tarn. The path had been badly affected by the recent storms but we did what we could to make it more walkable and improve the drainage. It was very windy and one volunteer was blown off his feet. For a change it stayed dry until we got back to the car park.

The path here had collapsed into the beck - nothing we could do!!

One of several landslides that had covered the pitched path - we cleared what we could.

A section of pitching and a drain that we managed to clear.

Another landslide to work on.

Hard and dirty work trying to clear the path.

Heading back to Rosthwaite.

A dry Borrowdale.

Saturday's forecast was for rain and wind - no change there!!!! We decided to climb a couple of lower Lakeland fells - King's How and Brund Fell. We parked at the Bowderstone and enjoyed about a 3 hour walk despite the continuous rain. There were some good views and the wind was not as bad as forecast - a bonus.

Above Troutdale near the start of the walk.

More evidence of storm damage.

Climbing up above Troutdale.

Sheltering under a Yew tree.

On one of the steeper sections.

Above a very wet Borrowdale.

King's How summit looking down Borrowdale.

My summit pose.

Some very wet ground to cross.

Looking back to King's How.

Head down in the rain.

Scrambling to the top of Brund Fell.

Made it!!!

Dropping back into Borrowdale.

Through the woods.

The Bowderstone.

Sunday was very windy but stayed dry whilst we were out. We chose to walk around Buttermere as we're sick of been blown about by the wind. It also allowed us to a treat - a cream tea in the cafe to finish the walk.

Near the start of the walk at Sour Milk Gill.

The lake was very choppy.

Striding out towards Fleetwith Pike.

An impressive Comb Beck after more overnight rain.

Near Warnscale Bottom.

Cows grazing by the path below Fleetwith Pike.

The Peggy's Bridge view.

Looking to High Crag.

Even the hardy Herdwicks were sheltering from the wind.

Looking into Birkness Comb.

Happy to be out.

The view to Mellbreak.

A full lake - Susan timing this move just right to avoid wet feet before the next wave rolled in.