I've always enjoyed going to The Lakes this time of year. I love the snow capped fells and it's a lot quieter. Arriving on the Wednesday at Wasdale Head NT Campsite, I pitched up and straight away went out to explore.
Looking up Wast Water towards the snowy fells of Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell and Lingmell.
After an 8 hour drive from Essex I didn't fancy anything too strenuous so I went up the track towards Burnthwaite and carried on over bridge and headed up the valley between Great Gable and Lingmell.
Looking up towards Great End and then turning round to look back at Yewbarrow and Red Pike
A leisurely walk back to the pub and then back to the tent, an early night and I was ready for the next day. I wanted to go up to Beck Head, the col between Kirk Fell and Great Gable. Then if possible keep following the Moses Trod track and head over to Haystacks. (a different route to try)
This was what I was facing and was a little apprehensive as I only have snow grips and poles, no crampons or ice axes......How bad could it be?
You can just make out the feint Moses Trod path running up the side of Great Gable parallel to Gable Beck. I reached the snow at about 1500ft and decided to put the snow grips on, not sure if they helped as the snow was getting deeper but the views got better.
Looking back down to Wasdale head and Wast Water and then higher up looking across to Lingmell and The Scafells
Managed to get to the col, occasionally losing the path and being knee deep in snow at times but well worth the effort
Looking across Beck Head Tarn to Kirk Fell and Rib End and then looking over the Ennerdale Valley toward the High Style range and Haystacks
The drop down following the path looked steep and to be honest I didn't fancy it but just getting the views was good enough, I took in the views and had a sandwich looking at Green Gable
Descended exactly the same way down, following my own footprints and avoiding the ones where I went wrong coming up!! Even though no summit 2 good walks and still got above 2000ft with some brilliant views. A great start to my holiday.