I was originally planning to start my walk yesterday (Sunday) and I'd even bought my return rail ticket. The more I looked at the timetables the more I realised it wouldn't work. Catching the first train and assuming I made all the connections meant I'd get to the start, Seatoller in Borrowdale, in the dark at about 4pm. So I scrapped the Sunday plan and went for a Monday morning start as I could get a lift from Steve as far as Penrith Railway station. Steve and Adrian dropped me off at 8:15am as they went to work in Penrith. I caught the X4 bus and bought a £9 Explorer ticket which would take two bus rides to Seatoller. I was glad when the bus arrived as it was chilly hanging around as the clear night meant a cold morning. It was below freezing and the temperature over Shap had been -5degC. I left the X4 in Keswick and called in to a nearby outdoor shop to buy a balaclava.

Stockley Bridge.

Styhead Tarn.

The 79 bus left a bit late and set off along the shore road by Derwentwater. The distant hills were illuminated in full chilly sunshine but the valley bottom was in shadow. Thee lake by the road was frozen and I can't remember when I last saw it like that. I was the last one on the bus when we reached Seatoller about 9:50 and by 10am I was on my way walking up the dead end road to Sethwaite. It was just below freezing as I walked up the valley and I wondered if I would get to walk in any of the sunshine that was illuminating the mountain tops. I'd originally planned to turn left at Stockley Bridge and walk up Grains Gill and camp part way up. Because of the unexpected good weather I decided to change my route and head for Lambfoot Dub, one of my favourite pitches. So I took the Sty Head Pass path and climbed steeply upwards.

There were some ice patches which had to be detoured round but not as many as expected. It wasn't till Styhead Tarn that I came into the sunshine, though it had no warmth associated with it. At the top of the pass I was back in shadow and as I picked my way up the Corridor route I realised I would not feel the sun again today. To my right the dome of Great Gable was fully illuminated in sunshine. I reached the pitch at 1pm and inspected the small tarn, It was frozen solid to a considerable depth, probably over 150mm and could easily take my weight.

Great Gable just before sunset.