Last night the temperature dropped to -12degC but by morning it had risen to -8. It was clear all through the night and the full moon shone on the snow giving a sparkling effect. A little low cloud prevented a full view of the sun on the shortest day, the winter solstice. A very rare phenomenon was a lunar eclipse at 7:40am but before that the moon had set behind Dale Head so I didn’t get the opportunity to see it.

A deserted Honister

Even if I’d been on the summit of Dale Head I doubt I’d have seen it due to a band of cloud in the west. I was on my way by 9:15 and set off across the snow towards the SE ridge of Dale Head. The snow didn’t hinder my progress and the frozen ground helped as the area is usually fairly boggy. When I met the main path I turned left to descend to Honister Pass and the quarries.

The whole place seemed deserted and there was only one vehicle on the car park. Even though the cafe is advertised as being open 7 days a week I can only assume it’s closed because of difficult access. All the time I had the road in view I didn’t see a single vehicle. I crossed the car park and headed up the path following the old tramway to Fleetwith and the old drum house.

Honister Quarries

View of Buttermere and Crummock Water
The hills of Scotland are visible in the distance across the Solway Firth

Up ahead were a family group walking in the snow while the children seemed to be enjoying themselves. At the summit I turned left to head for the base of Grey Knotts. I heading for Great Gable, hoping I could find a suitable pitch high up. I followed the path to Stone Cove where I’ve camped many times in the past. At the cove I could see the large boulder where my previous pitches had been.

Approaching Great Gable

Approaching the summit of Great Gable
Scafell Pike is in the background

I turned left to follow some footprints in the snow. They were heading for Windy Gap above, which is where I was heading. The going was tricky as thin snow covered loose scree making it unstable underfoot. As I reached the summit I noticed a couple of rucksacks and walking poles by a large boulder. There was nobody about so I couldn’t figure out why they’d been left. At the gap I reached the sunshine but there was no warmth. I turned right to head for Great Gable summit. I was surprised how easy the climb was.

The memorial plaque on Great Gable

View down in to Wasdale from camp_2

Though it was steep the hard snow made it good underfoot. I met three walkers coming down as I climbed. On the summit I was on my own. I photographed the war memorial plaque and took in the wonderfully clear views. Even the Isle of Man was clearly visible.

I started to descend on the path towards Sty Head Pass. I wanted to see if camping on a spot I’d used earlier in the year would be feasible. I reached the spot and realised that I’d never get tent pegs into the frozen ground. The views down into Wasdale were incredible. Just up from my previous camp was an area of frozen snow. It was ideal for getting pegs in so I pitched there. It was still cold with a slight wind but it made a very good camp for the altitude and conditions.

Camp_2 on Great Gable
Scafell Pike is to the top left