Firstly a happy New Year to all readers and good walking in 2009.
A quick end-of-year trip with the hope of a high level pitch above an inversion.
The forecast was hard to read and we were not really sure what conditions to expect on the fells, just a lot of cloud and very low temperatures which suggested a good possibility of an inversion. The conditions on the tops turned out a lot better than expected, as we saw from the long walk up the Eskdale valley, nevertheless there was a fine inversion below the pitch on Harter Fell on a superb clear morning which rounded off the year on a splendid high note. Virtually all the snow had gone, just a few white flecks remaining on the Scafells.
7 Comments
What fantastic photos!
Seeing those I’m now rather disappointed that we didn’t opt for a backpack when we popped up to the Lakes on Tuesday. Missed out there, didn’t we?
Beautiful! It was a very different world below that inversion - we were camped at the NT site in Langdale 28th to 31st, and that last morning was a very grey affair down in the valley. Monday though was crisp and clear on Crinkle Crags and Bowfell - hopefully I’ll get some photos up soon. Happy New Year!
Geoff that was truly stunning to look at. Thanks for that. Shows how good the Lakes are.
Excellent way to end the year Geoff. Excellent views and I can empathise with the landy on Hard Knott - I got stuck on the opposite side on the Wrynose Pass 4 weeks ago!
Thanks very much to all for taking a look at the pictures.
Gayle:- this week should have been good for high level pitches on most nights. Still, you can’t win them all. The forecast was hard to call and we were in the valley most of the day when the high tops turned out to be clear.
Andy:- Langdale in Xmas/New Year week - crikey, I imagine it was heaving. In the valleys it was perishing in that cloud, much colder than on the tops. I’ll look out for the rest of your photos.
Martin:- a fantastic morning, we don’t get many like that.
Marcus:- a high note indeed, what a morning. I wouldn’t drive over either of those passes even in summer, never mind the middle of winter - must be losing my nerve with age!.
Wow! Great photos. Here’s to many more in 2009. (And hoping I’ll be going out for a few trips as well.)
Thanks Phil, we look forward to seeing reports from your trips - all the best for 2009.