The last week of July.

July ended as it started with very mixed weather but I managed to get out on 4 good and different days. The first trip out was on Wednesday when I couldn't resist a solo bike and hike due to the very good forecast. I parked at Bowness Knott and cycled for about 4 miles up Ennerdale. Having locked the bike to a tree I then set out on foot to climb Steeple and Pillar. The weather was initially good but cloud built as I climbed Steeple. The summit was cloud covered when I arrived but luckily this soon cleared and the round was completed in excellent weather. I was home by 3.30pm.

In Ennerdale.

The bike locked up and ready to head off on foot.

Above the tree line and promising weather.

Heading up Steeple - cloud on the summit.

More cloud building.

On the summit of Steeple.

Cloud clearing on Pillar.

Clearing - a view across north across Ennerdale.

Shapely Steeple now cloud free.

Looking down to Wasdale Head.

The Scafell massif.

Great Gable and Kirk Fell.

Shapely Yewbarrow.

Looking to a distant Skiddaw.

Black Sail YH comes into view.

Upper Ennerdale.

Black Sail YH.

Pillar Rock on the skyline - a long walk back to the bike.

Riding back to the car.

Ready to head home.

On Friday I drove to Langdale to take part in a Fix the Fells drain run. The weather was superb and it was a pleasure to be out maintaining the footpaths on the Langdale Pikes. Forty years ago when I first visited these hill I would never have thought that I would now be involved in such work.

Working on the path up Pike of Stickle.

A stunning day to be working on the hill.

Looking to Harrison Stickle.

Pike of Stickle form our lunch stop.

Working on the path up Harrison Stickle.

Looking to Pavey Ark.

Pavey Ark from Stickle Tarn.

The earliest photo I have taken in Langdale Easter 1977.

(L to R: Paul Rollinson; Steven Burr; Myself)

The forecast for Saturday was mixed but we headed out early hoping for the best. Our chosen route was the Coledale horseshoe. Unfortunately much of the round was completed in cloud and at times it was wet, windy and cold. The best weather came at the end of the day - as it often does - and we arrived home in bright sunshine. Despite this we had a good day out.

Heading up Causey Pike - promising start.

On the steep ridge.

Starting the easy summit scramble.

Susan leading the way to the top.

The ridge to Crag Hill and changing weather.

Not the most discrete path in the Lakes up Sail.

Looking back to Causey Pike - cloud building.

Crag Hill summit food stop - no views here or over Grisedale Pike.

Having a wee break for lunch on the way down Grisedale Pike.

Skiddaw still in cloud but an improving day.

The view back up Coledale.

Almost back to the car and the sun appears - typical.

Sunday, the final day in July, was a much better weather day. Susan has had a sore shoulder for a couple of weeks and can't cycle so we headed for the hills again. I carried our only rucksack to try and help the shoulder. We completed a favourite round over Bannerdale Crags, Bowscale Fell and Blencathra and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Looking to Blencathra on route to Bannerdale Crags.

Heading up the east ridge of Bannerdale Crags.

Taking in the views on the ridge.

Some easy scrambling.

High on the ridge.

The summit with a view to Blencathra.

Looking back to Bannerdale Crags with the east ridge in profile.

Bowscale Fell summit.

Heading for Blencathra.

Looking to yesterday's route - the Coledale round.

Blencathra summit - again!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking west into the Lakes.

Dropping down Scales Fell.

Looking back to the summit - cloud building.

Almost back to the car.