For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

No appointments today so there should be no excuses but as always there is something. With the onset of the settled but colder weather I have once again to take care how much I do. It was -4.0°C when we left home and looking across the bay it was plain to see that cloud inversions were a possibility. Now as regular readers will know getting higher to view the inversions is more difficult nowadays, particularly so when they are accompanied by freezing weather. I had two summits in mind, School Knott and Gummer's How at the foot of Windermere. As will be seen School Knott won the day.

We parked the car on the B5284 at Cleabarrow. A look over the wall at the frosted trees at Cleabarrow Tarn.

We headed northwards along the track of the Dales Way.

It was a gloriously clear morning as the views to the Coniston fells opened up.

The last time we came here we had to turn back as the track further ahead was under water due to a blocked culvert. Today however there were no such problems.

Just ahead in centre picture can be seen a waymarker where the Dales Way leaves this track.

Having left the track the first part of the uphill section had a bit of ice but easily bypassed.

Just past the two trees ahead the Dales Way swings away to the right but our path is straight ahead.

A breather and a look back.

A frozen School Knott Tarn.

I had no intentions today of climbing School Knott's partner, Grandsire, today. This short climb was quite enough with the cold air on my lungs.

A look over to the Kentmere fells.

Not far now, hope it's worth it!!

Hmmmm......well I've seen a lot worse ;-)    The two dark blobs on the cloud below the clouds were big Chinook-type helicopters. They were also seen by Facebook friends on Potter Fell and Brant Fell.

Perfect!

Looking down Windermere partly into the sun.

Looking over Windermere and Claife Heights to the Coniston Fells.

The Crinkles, Bowfell and Langdales

Northwards over Orrest to Wansfell, Red Screes and distant Fairfield.

Over Banner Rigg to Kentmere

A frosty Grandsire. The Howgills beyond it were covered in cloud so there wouldn't have been any more views if we had visited.

One last look before we leave.

As we returned we decided to have a run down to Bowness for a brew.

A quick diversion to Cleabarrow Tarn where I hoped to get some pictures of the frosted trees. Unfortunately the warming sun had cleared most of it. Please note this is private land and requires a small trespass. If you do visit please ensure that you close all gates and watch out for the electric fence.

We drove down to Bowness to find the inversion retreating up the mere as it burnt back in the morning sun.

After a brew and a toasted teacake at the cafe by the Steamer pie we decided to have a walk to Cockshott Point.

Kentmere fells from Cockshott Point.

Next Walk:      23rd January 2011 - South Cumbria - Hampsfell

Last Walk:     20th January 2011 - South Cumbria - Cunswick Fell

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