Light on the fields of Borrowdale underneath a snowy High Spy. #borrowdale #highspy #grangefell #lakedistrict #lakedistrictnationalpark #lakedistrictuk #lakedistrictwalks #lakedistrictphotography #lakedistricthikers #snow #winter #canonm50 (at Grange Fell) https://www.instagram.com/matt_ashby_pics/p/CYWwBbEjMcb/?utm_medium=tumblr

Heading out for the second walk after my long break I wondered whether I was trying to do too much too soon! The aim of the day was a 10 mile walk bagging 4 Wainwright fells; Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy and Castle Crag. The day was cold but dry and bright which made for good conditions and I had my bag packed, my route planned and set off from the side of Derwent Water up the north end of Catbells. It was surprisingly busy for such a cold, early start but once I got passed Catbells the crowds died down and the fells were pretty much my own. My new cap kept my head warm throughout the walk and didn’t cause any discomfort which my beanie sometimes can and right up until the head of the quarry I loved every second. Heading down through the quarry killed my ankle unfortunately and although the caves and tunnels made it for an interesting descent by the time I got to the bottom I had to stop and rest so I ate a banana and drank some water before carrying on to the last fell, Castle Crag. My map reading skills didn’t relate to my brain just what an extra climb it would be to reach the top of Castle Crag so when I got to the bottom of the path, I’d already decided to save my ankle for another day, aim for ‘Chesters by the river’ before it closed (to buy the ‘Catbells’ mug!) and give Castle Crag a miss until next time. Apparently, it’s quite a pleasant afternoon’s walk in its own right so, being the smallest of the Wainwrights, its one I’ll return to when the cloud is shrouding the bigger hills. A good day out but one that has forced me to contact a podiatrist to try and remedy the pain in my left foot! 

Looking down the Newlands valley from Dale head.