5 down, 150 to go...

The weather wasn't too bad, so I set off to the Lakes at random, and ended up in Coniston.  The weather was perfect for walking, and the snow didn't look too bad from down here





I followed Walna crag road up to the side of Brown Crag, and the ridge over to Dow crag didn't look too bad






By the timw I was at Buck Pike, what was once snow was quite thick, and frozen solid.  Scrambling ober foot thick frozen snow - note to self "remember to put the crampons in my pack Before I set off"

The top of Dow Crag was a sheet of ice, with superb icicles flowing from the edge...

..and a great view if the icy path ahead to the Old Man








Once at the top of Coniston Old Man, the views were superb









but it was still aub-zero.  The water bottles in my backpack were now frozen so all I could drink was slushy ice.





Once over Brim Fell, it was downhill back to the car. Just above Low Water, the Sun decided to show itself.   I went too far left on the way down and lost the path in the snow, then had to make a 100yd scramble accross the face of some crags to regain the path.  Then it was what felt like a long trudge down the old mine road back to the car.



I started the car to get the heater on, then sat op the tailgate changin into fresh (warmer) boots.  These new Trezeta winter boots are great, my feet are perfecty dry and still warm, but it is always nice to change into a clean pair of socks and boots.

Having finished a seven and a half mile climb over extremely icy paeks, I walked around to get in the car and went Arse over Tit on the Ice and dislocated my finger!  Luckily my fingers were still cold so I reset the joint, cursed myself for being such a clumsy ****, and got in the nice warm car and heded for a well overdue soak in the bath.

Back at the Boatyard, Kier has had a juggling mishap with a 9" angle grinder, cutting through his forearm.  Luckily (!) he has missed all the bones, tendons veins and arteries, but has completely severed ane of the muscles. Mercifully he won't be playing guitar again for a while.


Sunday I went down to the Malt and Hops, and it was an evening well spent, drinking Marshmallow Unicorn (ubtil it ran out) then Bank Top Dark Mild, all the while listening to, and watching the mad antics of Ash Mandrake, a great storyteller and musician.