Place Fell in the Sunshine

Place Fell Walk in the Sunshine Feb 2013

Morgan on Place Fell Summit

After last week’s skiing in Italy we returned to the Lakes and found we’d missed yet another snow fall. Keen to find some white stuff and based on the MWIS forecast of “possible risk of sunburn” Emma, Morgan and I couldn’t possibly miss the chance to head up the hills yesterday. Turns out it was a good choice!!

The views back down to Ullswater on the way up were pretty good!

Having left the valley floor where we live in the shadow and freezing cold it soon became clear that we were slightly overdressed. It was boiling hot by the time we got to Boredale Hause so it was time to delayer. Morgan of course was fine as long as he could find a handy beck to slurp from.

Spot the Morgan

Most of the snow had gone from the fell other than in sheltered gullies although there was still some on the north facing slopes of High Street…

High Street behind Place Fell

Even the final scramble gulley up to the summit ridge was snow free…

Morgan Awaits

On the summit ridge there was still a fair amount of snow and we were treated to some great vapour trail displays over Brotherswater and High Street..

Dogfights over Brotherswater

Liftoff over High Street

In fact the views from the summit ridge looking south were just plain awesome…

Even Morgan enjoyed them….

Morgan takes in the views

We were a little late setting off for once so there were a fair few people up top by the time we arrived, but not as many as I suspect there were on Helvellyn….

Helvellyn Summit from Place Fell

The big issue on top was finding water for Morgan. The pools were all frozen so it was time to get one of my boots wet and crack some ice..

Morgan savours the flavours

He seemed a lot happier after rehydration….

Morgan the Lake District Labrador

It was also the first outing for my funky Crookabeck Angora Mohair Helvellyn Walking Socks. Highly recommended – warm, comfortable and best of all they dried out very quickly having been dunked in cold icy water whilst making Morgan’s water hole…

Crookabeck Farm Socks!

After the obligatory fag break it was time to head off piste a little to try and get some good shots on the edge..

Glenridding from Place Fell Summit

Panorama of Ullswater and Brotherswater

We also had some great views across the dale to our Glenridding Cottages.

Helvellyn Cottages in Glenridding

The views on the way back down to Patterdale were none too shabby….

Morgan towards Brotherswater

View of Patterdale

Having made it back down it was time for a final splash in the beck for Morgan and then a trip to his favourite Patterdale Village Store for a few extra biscuits…

Morgan rehydrates in the beck

Patterdale Village Store and the White Lion Pub – need I say more..

For more pictures of our adventures in the Lake District around Ullswater, Patterdale and Helvellyn, please follow Helvellyn on Twitter. You can also follow Ullswater on Facebook and Helvellyn on Facebook. If you want to come and stay in the Lake District why not choose one of our pet friendly Ullswater Cottages. Enjoy!

Morgan and his mate on the summit – just to show I didn’t send him up by himself…..