Start Point: Blea Tarn Car Park (NY 296 043)
Blea Tarn – Bleatarn House – Lingmoor Fell – Lingmoor Tarn – Side Pike – Blea Tarn
Distance: 3.2 miles    Total Ascent: 390 metres    Time Taken: 2 hours    Start Time: 08:00
Weather: Cold wind, clear spells, 5°C
Dougal was in for the op that any male wouldn’t like to think too much about today (gulp!) so it was down to young Fletcher to be #1 Fell Dog for the day. They were big paws to fill but Fletcher had no problems carrying it off – today he experienced snow and ice for the first time. Winter has struck on the high ground and the wind was icy cold, through to the bone on the tops but when the leaden skies cleared, what fabulous views there were to be had.
A brief sunny spell at the start of the walk lights up Blea Tarn.
Blake Rigg across Blea Tarn.
Wetherlam and a burst of sunshine through a stormy sky.
Bowfell and Rossett Pike across a sunny Oxendale Pass road.
The snow clad Lansdale Pikes set off Side Pike quite nicely from the climb.
Bleatarn House below looking to Bowfell.
It looks a bit ominous over Coniston way.
A cold climb to the summit...
...and even colder when we got there with a raw wind blowing - not a place to hang around today.
The view to Windermere.
Looking across Lingmoor Tarn and the Langdales are in for more snow.
Mono Langdales.
A strange hue across Oxendale.
Pike o' Blisco.
Side Pike and Bowfell.
As if by magic...on the climb to Side Pike through the squeeze, the sun came out. That's better Fletcher.
The Langdale Pikes.
Clearing skies.
Looking from the end of Side Pike, along the wall to Lingmoor Fell.
The view from Side Pike top.
Close up on the Langdales.
The fabulous view across Blea Tarn. Later, on the way home I expected a decent sunset so went over Wrynose (where cars were turning back because of the icy conditions) and up Hardknott Pass for a quick climb to Border End.
Harter Fell.
The end of day glow over the Scafells.
Looking into Upper Eskdale.
A penny for them, Fletcher.
Scafell and Scafell Pike.
At the end of the day.
Dying embers.