Start point: Troutbeck (NY 409 032)
Troutbeck – Nanny Lane – The Hundreds – Wansfell – Wansfell Pike – Nanny Lane – Troutbeck
Distance: 3.7 miles Total Ascent: 350 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 20 minutes Start Time: 09:45
Weather: Strong winds and snow. 2ºC
It took me a while to decide where to walk this morning, I visited Coniston and Langdale before deciding to have a look to the east where it all seemed much brighter. After struggling up The Struggle in full winter conditions and with the snow still falling heavily, I decided to head back down the Kirkstone Pass before it became impassable…
Wansfell route map.
The Kirkstone Pass Inn. On with the walk, Wansfell looked clear and as it is of relatively modest height it seemed like a decent bet...
...until I set off when it started snowing heavily once more.
It was also very windy along here, I sheltered behind the wall to take this photo and was on the verge of turning back but decided to plod on hoping the wind would blow away the snow clouds.
Nanny Lane.
The first glimmer of brightness and the Ill Bell ridge comes into view.
Peeping over the snowy wall to get a view of Sallows.
Casper, the snow monster. Those two dogs are like spring lambs once they are in the snow, rolling around and chasing each other and generally enjoying themselves.
'You go that-away and I'll go this-away'. Once we climbed up onto the summit of Wansfell the wind was really strong...
...aaaghh! Hold on tight boys!
Bleak midwinter on the Wansfell ridge - the snow was horizontal along here. Surprisingly, I didn't see anyone today!
Following the wall to Wansfell Pike.
A sudden clearing in the clouds and Ambleside and Rydal Water come into view below.
Wetherlam beyond Wansfell Pike.
Crossing the wall.
Windermere with the back of the snow showers being blown down the water.
A little bit of sunshine at the southern end of Windermere.
Clearing to the north, Kirkstone Pass is distant left of centre.
Wow, the briefest of brief clearings reveals the full length of Windermere from Wansfell Pike.
Looking back to Wansfell, Ill Bell beyond.
Another brief parting of the clouds and Red Screes becomes visible.
Sunburst over Windermere. As soon as I left the summit of Wansfell Pike the snow came back with a vengeance and all views were once more obliterated.
On the decent of Nanny Lane.