Start Point: Tarn Foot, Skelwith Bridge (NY 345 039)
Tarn Foot – Ivy Crag – Loughrigg Fell – The How – Loughrigg Tarn – Tarn Foot
Distance: 2.7 miles Total Ascent: 270 metres Time Taken: 2 hours Start Time: 07:45
Weather: Cold. 3°C
This morning turned into a right old palaver – firstly I set off for Helvellyn but the local weather said that east would be cloudy all day as I set off so I decided upon Coniston. When I made it to the start of the Walna Scar Road, I couldn’t stand up as there was that much sheet ice around and the wind was really strong and chilled to the bone as soon as I got out of the car. So with discretion being the better part of valour, I turned back and decided that Loughrigg looked a good bet for a decent sunrise. The walk was great and the weather was good up there, hardly any wind and a magical sunrise…but – on the way down I slipped and fell full on my camera with the side of my ribcage and that is something that does hurt! As I walked away from Loughrigg Tarn, I realised that my polarising filter was missing so I had to retrace my steps back to the northern end of the tarn where (thankfully) I found it lying in the snow. Flipping heck!
A pre-dawn view of Wetherlam from the climb to Loughrigg.
Windermere, still before dawn.
Sunrise, but there is a large bank of cloud to the east hiding the sun for now.
The snowy Langdale Pikes take on a pinkish tinge.
The clouds were changing by the minute.
Looking across Grasmere to Dunmail Raise.
It was fabulous to see the changing colours on a morning such as this.
Pink Wetherlam now too.
Looking back to the summit cairn as the sun climbs higher.
Windermere.
Back to the top - beautiful.
Even Dougal and Fletcher bask in the morning sunrise.
A wider view from the summit.
Elterwater and Great Langdale.
Grasmere.
A wintry scene.
Loughrigg Tarn.
A wide view across Loughrigg Tarn.
Loughrigg Tarn reflections.
Perfect.
A view of the Langdales from the higher path.
Feeding time.