A beautiful day started in the cold in Newcastle and we drove into the sunrise across to the lakes to find some unseasonably warm weather.

Four routes were taken on a blue sky day with a dusting of snow and ice on the high summits and some biting wind coming across the tops of the peaks.

The long walk quickly ascended Grisedale Pike (791m) enjoying the still blue skies before continuing along to Hopegill head (770m) offering beautiful views over the Buttermere valley before descending to Coldale hause for lunch. After lunch we headed up to the high point of the day Grasmoor (852m) where we enjoyed views over Hindscarth and Robinson and were thankful that the thick cloud on the central fells did not migrate northwards. After Grasmoor whilst throwing some snowballs we continued over Wandhope (772m) up onto Crag hill (839m). After enjoying the views from the top we descended over Sail (773m), Outerside (568m) and Barrow (455m) before descending into Braithwaite for a quick drink.

Markos led a lovely walk over into the Newlands valley then up Causey pike (637m) before continuing over Sail and Crag hill enjoying the technical descent to Coldale hause where some returned down the beck to Braithwaite whilst the rest continued over Grisedale Pike.

Laurie and Issy started up over Grisedale Pike with some also climbing Hopegill head before returning down Coledale beck whilst some extended the route over Outerside and Barrow.

Liv took a lovely route up to Catbells (451m) offering great views over Derwent water.

Overall a lovely trip with great weather and great company. Many thanks to all who came. – Josh

Above: View over Derwent water from ascent of Catbells

Below: Crag hill summit

Above: Grasmoor summit

Below: Hopegill head Summit