Lonscale Fell

We're in for a treat today! Clear blue skies and sunshine. Lots to get done as we're off Down South in the morning so something shortish and localish. We head up to the Cheats Car park on Latrigg and then walk in the opposite direction to everyone else!

As we set off the Western Fells are looking splendid in their winter coat. We had planned to head up Lonscale but the hordes were already heading to Skiddaw and as the path is the same initially, we had changed our minds and dropped down onto the balcony path.

Zooming in on Grisedale Pike, we are looking back here and the path we had dropped onto is visible across the green bank

Looking back again. At this point we were thinking of just sticking to the Balcony path and avoiding everyone else, but it seemed such a shame not to get a bit higher on such a fab day. 

So we headed up the fence line above Lonscale Crags

Above the snow line. Thirlmere catches the sun in the background

St John  in The Vale

Perfect conditions

A family portrait as we near the top

Lonscale crags summit, with a section of ice someone has removed from the fence and carried to the cairn

Heading over the fence to the proper top

Snowy Skiddaw

The drifts were pretty deep in places

We head down back towards the car on fresh, untrodden snow

As deep as the fence in places - making it easy for Breeze to cross - she is not quite so likely to sink up to her thighs as we are!

Proper family shot this time!

Until re joined the mains Skiddaw track we had hardly seen a soul. That quickly changed as we passed hoards of folk heading up there. Each to their own, but I know which route I'd rather be doing!

Just over 4.6 miles and back to the car for lunch!