Back of Skiddaw & Skiddaw group,2 nights Dec 2022..Trailstar and Duomid XL

With a forcast and a promise of cold conditons and snow i was soon packing winter gear,for a trip to the Northern fells to complete some more new ticks for my brothers Wainwright round   (This is a very picture heavy post,fair warning)

 

Parking in Threlkeld big boots were pulled on and tightened and sacks were hoisted up onto backs,at the top of the road,near the phone mast this frozen copy of the gate shadow caught my eye

The Blease road was frozen solid and icy as pack straps settled into shoulders and views just kept on coming in the sun it was 3c minus that in the shaded sections 

Meals were two of my favorites, both from my favorite supplier Basecamp foods 😀 

These flapjacks are superb too,few different flavours too 

Skiddaw house,now sadly for sale ,looked secure and as solid as the frozen ground it stood on,the cold snap was making this part of the route much better as there was no wet or mud  

We followed the Cumbria Way path Northwards turning after the bridge,my plan to follow the flowing water up as high as possible,as luck would have it water was still flowing at 550m

The sun was sinking behind the Skiddaw massif at 3-30 pm,just as we got to the summit of the Knott,our camp area for the night,we met one lone hiker on the summit who came over for a chat,before heading off for his tea 

 

Shelters up and pegs pushed home into the frozen turf,the tiny meths burners were soon quietly purring away,bringing the very cold beck water up to a nice hot brew temperature 

Most of the evening we were in clag,so we opted to have a walk under the big moon,so pulling on warm gear we walked out to Great Sca fell.On the way there the views returned 

Turned out there was one lonely cloud just sat on the summit of the Knott,but as we returned it cleared away,we took a few night pics but the moon was just to bright 

Back at camp and back in my bag,i soon had a brew on and more water for my tea

The temp was -4c when we arrived but warmed in the cloud to -2c then dropped throught the night again,i guess,but was -3c by the time i checked again 

Dawn was rather muted,but came good at the end,the cold job of brushing of the very thick frost,put a tingle in the fingers

With all the gear packed away again it was time to cover some ground,we headed south too Great Calva and the great views it gives to the cold valleys below and the full length of the Northern side of the Skiddaw group 

Great Calva was Jamies next new peak with its great views into the cold long valley s behind Skiddaw

We could see a long deep inversion spreading out right through and over parts of the Lakes,this being the  Saturday morning 

The fell on the right being our planned next camp spot,Lonscale fell summit 

But first we had to sadly loose all our height and drop down to Dash falls before the long haul back up,ticking of Bakestall on route to Skiddaw summit  

The rime on the fence we followed up was quite impressive 

Some stunning cloud formations looking over Longside edge 

Skiddaw from the North

Derwent water looked still and cold as the clouds moved slowly around the Lakeland fells 

As we left Skiddaw and Little man behind the sun was already heading downwards a last bag drop at his wall,saw us desend downwards in the search for flowing water...once that was done it was a short stroll to the summit of Lonscale fell summit 

There was some lovely light around as the sun slowly sank down,the temperature following it down too 

By the time the sun had sunk the temp had already dropped too -4.6c the slight breeze making any chinks in the warm layers more apparant

Once id had a cuppa soup i wondered over to the top of the cliffes that loom above the Blease road and Cumbria way.I love the "Squeek" you get as you step on cold dry snow too.

Once on the edge looking down,the sound of the cold water running down the river made for an eerie noise as it drifted up towards me 

I warmed my hands up on my meal as it hydrated away,then buried it between my legs inside my bag,waiting for it to be ready...it was soon all gone !

Moonlight Blencathra around 9 pm 

It was a cold night with a little wind frost was much heavier than the night before and later when packing up it came off in spade loads it was so heavy 

As we planned to get a breakfast on the drive home,i had one of my favorite flapjacks to help start up my heating system

Sunday morning gave some good views but with out the sun,it made for cold fingers while taking pics

Although we didnt get a full orange glow on the hills,due to the inversion hiding the first of the suns appearance,it did light up the Skiddaw group nicely  

With the sun over the horizon we finished packing and headed down the steep path towards Glenderarerra beck,that carefully crossed we were soon back in the sun again 

As we got to the last carpark we reentered the inversion,it was cold and damp as we carefully desended the frozen and icy road,reaching the car the temp inside it was -7c 

Turned out to be a good two day route,sadly no new snow,the moon spoilt the night skies,but we had plenty of good views and some new Wainwright peaks for Jamies round ......Safe travels thanks for looking and Merry Christmas