We heat up some chilli and were soon in the land of zzzzzzzz's with the alarm set for 7 so we could make the most of our day. We woke to misty, skies but the forecast was that it may start off a bit murky but would brighten up later. There would be a bit of wind on the tops and it would be cold with the odd snow flurry which didn't bother us a jot so after breakfast we drove round to the start of the walk at Seathwaite Farm.
It was a bit breezy and really cold but we were soon wrapped up and off on the walk. We could see bits of blue sky and as we walked along the path from the farm little white tipped peaks were poking out from behind the hills surrounding us.
As we started up the base of Seathwaite Fell the sky was really beginning to clear and sunlight shone down on the valley behind us and started to illuminate the landscape around us. The wind however was getting stronger and the higher we got the colder it got but it was so much better than what was forecast so we were happy.
Half way up the initial path you take a left turn and take a more direct route up the side of the hill. Its not the most clearly marked route but there was a faint outline of a path so off we trotted. The path tended to follow up the side of a little stream and with most walks the higher you got the more impressive the views and with each step a little bit more was revealed and the surrounding fells were just breathtaking. Base Brown opened up to Green Gable with Great Gable emerging from behind. It was magnificent.
The funny thing about Seathwaite Fell is that there are a few points on top which could be considered the summit. There's a nice big cairn on the first hump you come to then realise that just a bit over ahead there is another lumpy bit which seems a bit higher and then begins the ups and downs touching every bit of elevation on the summit just to make sure you've actually hit the top.
The wind by this time was really starting to whip up and the clouds had gathered once again and were looking an ominous grey. Coming down of the last top tiny ice pellets started to fall and in the wind they were a wee bit stingy on the face. Muff's and hoods up we found the path that would take us downwards into the valley and then round to the right back to the farm.
It was a path we'd been on many times before as we started downwards off Seathwaite Fell we could see the crossroads which joined paths from Great Gable, Scafell and other surrounding peaks. The Mountain Rescue box was just over the other side of the paths and we swung right down to meet the path we'd originally come up on earlier in the day.
Walking into the wind with the icy bits hitting your face wasn't the best fun but thankfully that only lasted 10 mins or so. The sky was still laden with clouds but ahead, down into the valley and beyond we could see sunshine so hopefully the weather was on the turn.
By the time we'd reached the last leg of the path the weather had turned again and the sunshine had gone. We could see cloud moving in over the tops behind us and we were thankful when we reached Bob and his heater.
A quick drive up into Keswick a change of boots and we were ready for some dinner. The Wainwright in Keswick was our pub of choice tonight and very nice it was too. Great meal and good value for money with the added benefit of a TV screen in the corner of the room showing all the great peaks and the various routes up them.
A great end to a fantatstic day.
Chris is now on 211 wainwrights and myself, we'll I'm just hitting 190 so a few to go yet for me but we're nearly at the finishing line for Chris, woohoo !
