Friday 16th December 2011

Start point: Hawes End (NY 247 212)

Hawes End - Skelgill Bank - Catbells - Hause Gate - Allerdale Ramble - Skelgill Bank - Catbells - Skelgill Bank - Hawes End

Distance: 4.3 miles     Total Ascent: 695 metres     Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes     Start Time: 08:30

Weather: Snow showers. 0oC

Route Map

There was a lot of snow around when I set of on the climb to Catbells this morning. My original intention had been to do the full Newlands Round but things didn't quite turn out as expected and shows that you don't necessarily have to get to the highest fells to get the views. It turned out to be a bit of an odd walk really, read on to see what happened...

Heavy snow and still dark at the start of the climb to Catbells.

A near mono scene.

Twin peaks - Catbells and Skelgill Bank.

A little bit of sun appearing over to the east.

Cold and frozen Newlands Valley.

It looks like it may be an interesting sunrise this morning.

At least I can see the summit from Skelgill Bank.

Casper and Dougal.

Greyscale scenery with an orange sky.

In a heavy snow shower now.

Wow! Catbells sunrise.

For a few minutes, all was aglow and it was simply breathtaking.

Sun a rise, early in the morning.

The Derwent Fells at sun up.

Skiddaw and Dodd.

Fiery sky.

Skiddaw has a tinge of colour this morning.

Up on the summit of Catbells and central in the photo is a Sun Dog, caused by the sun shining on ice crystals.

Looking to Maiden Moor.

Dougal and Casper on Catbells.

The sun, a dog and a Sun Dog!

Which way Dad? Well, not that way as all views were completely obliterated in the heavy snow as we descended to Hause Gate - in fact it was a complete white-out. It seemed pointless carrying on and I did wonder about getting back home once I reached the car as well so I decided to call it a day and walk back along the bottom of Catbells.

On the descent - nothing to see here.

Brandelhow in heavy snow.

Walking along the path - what is that I can see up there? Hmm, blue sky. By amazing powers of deduction I worked out that there would be a nice inversion if I made it back up on high. Sooo...back up we go!

I was correct in that assumption - a lovely inversion over Derwent Water and The Vale of Keswick.

Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell, Clough Head and The Dodds beyond.

Climbing higher.

Actually it was quite quick moving that inversion, normally it is really still and they can sit for hours but this was rising and moving eastwards.

Walla Crag is almost covered now to the left.

Bleaberry Fell.

Dougal has found a good vantage point.

Bleaberry Fell and High Seat.

Clearing over the water.

Looking over Keswick to Skiddaw.

The mist rising to envelope me once more. Still I continued to the summit and hung around for a while - who knows what would happen next?

Cloud pouring into Borrowdale.

A winter scene, on the descent again now.

Causey Pike looks almost Alpine.

Catbells and Hindscarth.

Ard Crags and Knott Rigg, an island in the clouds.

Looking towards Skiddaw.

The cloud is still pouring down into Borrowdale.

Castle Crag looks like an interesting place today.

Derwent Water is clear now and it wasn't long before the cloud cover was in for the day.

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