The forecast was for clear blue skies with excellent visiblility, so Carmen and I decided to make the most of it with a 'run' (of the 95% walking variety) round the Langdale Horseshoe. The classic fell race covers 14 miles with about 5000 feet of ascent, with the record standing at a few minutes short of 2 hours. We wanted a longer day than that though, so added in a couple of extra summits to give a round of 19 miles/7300 feet ascent (I didn't measure this until afterwards or it's likely we'd have thought better of it!).
So, we were up at the crack of dawn (7.05), and a mere hour and 20 minutes of faffing later, we set off. The promised clear blue skies were hidden behind high cloud, which lowered occasionally over the highest tops to leave a light covering of snow. The ascent started over the road from the hut, and 1000 feet of steep climbing later we reached the summit of Lingmoor Fell. From here, an easy path down into Elterwater was duly missed, and instead we opted for a slow steep route down scree and short vegetated crags to the valley.
Over the road and time for another steep climb up to Silver Howe. From here the route undulated a lot, with much descent and reascent, but spread out over a few miles so it never felt too hard. An hour later we reached the foot of Pavey Ark, and the first people of the day, a nose-to-tail line of red and blue jackets leading off up Jack's Rake. After a short food stop (very short due to frozen toes), we followed up the rake, pausing for a few words with Peri and David who had taken the direct route from the hut.
Onwards over all the Langdale Pikes, then a long marshy descent to Stake Pass – the constant sub-zero temperatures had not been enough to solidify the bogs – and on to Angle Tarn in an increasingly bitter northerly wind (temperatures falling below -5). This section was one of the few that we actually ran rather than walked, icy water is slightly less unpleasant if negotiated quickly.
From here it was a choice between Plan A – Esk Hause and back over Esk Pike to Ore Gap – or Plan B – a shorter but steeper route straight up to Ore Gap. "Plan A" said Carmen, who was using a different naming convention and thought she was voting for the shorter route, but by the time she realised it was too late.
As we crossed Bowfell the crowds reappeared, but they were mostly headed down to the valley again as we started the ascent of Crinkle Crags. Just before the Bad Step we met Rob, Cef, Simon & Debra, who had been doing various scrambly walky things on Bowfell. Another short run down to Red Tarn was followed by a long crawl up Pike o' Blisco, from where we again avoided the obvious track and followed instead the pathless ridge down to the north, emerging near Blea Tarn before a final short section of road back to the hut. Where we found ourselves in the unusually situation of being first back. Note to self: in future, find out where the key is going to be left before setting off…
Sunday dawned snowy and blowy, and after the standard dithering, we opted for a short walk from the top of Wrynose Pass up Great Carrs, Swirl How, and Wetherlam. About 4 miles, and 3000 feet of ascent, but Saturday had taken its toll and we limped round in 4 1/4 hours.
Lots more photos here