At the start of each week I like to plan a walk for the forth coming weekend which as of late, never really materialises due to a poor forecast, this subject was touched upon today resulting in some very short term planned walks over winter because lets face it, it's been a wash out. Todays walk; is Walk Two of my Walking the Wainwrights in 30 Walks Project which despite its route being planned for well over a month it only got the green light less than twelve hours previous due to a clear, but stormy day forecasted.

Todays route collects seven Wainwright summits which include five amongst the Lord's Seat Fells and also Ling and Sale Fell found within the Wythop Valley, to collect all seven summits as efficiently as possible would mean the route would have to be planned using two cars one of which would be left on the Whinlatter side and the other, the Wythop. Joining me today is David who throughout this project has offered his company and his car on around half a dozen walks within the campaign.

Due to todays walk being a liner we had arranged to meet at 07:45am at Wythop Church, I officially arrived first but due to it still being dark I drove past the Church after realising that I had gone too far, by which time I had no-where to turn the car around other than the junction at Wythop Mill, by the time I arrived back at Wythop Church David had arrived and was kitting up besides his car. We greet as usual with a hand shake noting almost instantly the cold chill brought on more apparent by the wind which howled through the tree tops above our heads, during kit up we decided that should the weather go against us we would end the walk on Graystones and return for the car at Wythop thereafter, a decision that I hoped we wouldn't have to make.

Kitted up I throw my gear into the back of Davids car as we head out towards Wythop Mill picking up the Whinlatter Pass thereafter. By the time we hit the Pass dawn had broke opening up views over Ladyside Pike and Hopegill Head which had a dusting of snow the previous night. We were the first car on the car park as David swung his car in boot facing out so we could collect our gear, with our boots already on all that was left was to shoulder up and add extra layers in the form of hats and gloves which would stay on for the duration of the walk, before leaving another car had pulled up, it was two lads in their twenties who nodded on their 'mornings' as they get one in return.

We strode out leaving the young lads kitting up as the track rounds passing the familiar Darling How Farm where we stopped to read a notice titled 'Stormy Weather' it went onto warn walkers about the possibility of felled trees and their ability to right themselves which came as a surprise! the sign was basically warning people away from any trees that had fallen during the storms although I doubt there wasn't any need for the sign, it's common sense really.

We were soon out of the shelter that the trees had been providing and by now were taking on the full extent of the wind chill helped along by strong winds and sudden gust which at times was enough to knock me sideways. From the west the first of many snow and hail showers is about to hit us which causes us to batten up and tie down, the hail that had been lying on the ground was now airborne and hitting us face on at which point the thoughts of being able to finish this walk was rapidly deteriorating and for me, was a low point so soon into the day.

We had no choice other than to perservere towards Brown How summit as gear and clothing flapped violently against the prevailing winds which were blowing in straight off the Irish Sea. We progressed towards the stone shelter found on Brown How summit where thankfully the winds had eased enough so we could at least talk over them, Davids first words as he cracked a smile are 'I think it's managable'

That'll do for me...the last thing I wanted to do was to force someone around a walk in such conditions, Davids enthusiasm was just the thing I needed to hear.

It made sense to summit Barf first then come back and summit Lord's Seat afterwards which is just over my left shoulder. There was definitely a hint of blue in the skies above but we had to be quick if we wanted to photograph a rare glimpse of the sun as by the time the cameras had been taken out the sun had been obscured by passing cloud again, but when it was out, the sunlight illuminated the snow against the heather just beautifully and at times boosted moral after long periods in the biting winds.

Like most of the summits we would encounter on todays walk summit time was kept to an absolute minimum due to how severe the windchill felt, come on sunshine where are you when we need you!

The crossing from Barf went well noting that we hadn't seen anybody since leaving the cars this morning but that was about to change. By the time we reached Lord's Seat summit it had greyed over and we were fully exposed to the strong winds once again, from the wooded area below two walkers approach as David gets out his weather device which monitored a -10°C Wind Chill helped along by 40mph winds, the two walkers were interested in the readings as we strike up conversation on routes, it would seem that they have come up from Whinlatter Visitor Centre and were heading for Barf before returning to Whinlatter, they then ask what's that called? pointing at Broom Fell, we help as much as we can but it was difficult to talk over the wind, they head down towards Barf and that's the last we saw of them.

Please excuse my ignorance but why head out on a walk without knowing your surroundings first? Of course everyone must learn and I'm not expecting anyone to point out Catstye Cam from here but Broom Fell?

I guess we do need those signs we saw earlier after all.

We are left exposed once again as we take in the ridge towards Broom Fell as we both remember our last visit here during heavy rain and high winds. I note to David that although my feet are dry they are frozen and starting to feel a tad uncomfortable as I do my best to wiggle my toes around whilst making star shapes with my hands.

I can tell you it was bloody cold but enjoyable all the same as David quite rightly pointed out.

Broom Fell is descended towards Widow Hause under sunnier skies despite the temperature still well below zero we were both thankful of the protection that the plantation ahead would provide. With Broom Fell behind us we cross Widow Hause passing a large number of sheep no doubt seeking the same protection from the wind as we are.

Once over Widow Hause we start our ascent on Graystones sticking close to the stone wall until we could go no further, we track over heather towards the summit feeling very raw and exposed in the winds once again.

We descend Graystones via a different route than we had ascended soon finding ourselves looking over a sun soaked Wythop Moss, although, still bone chillingly cold in the shade we set up lunch perched around a large boulder large enough for us to rest against. A stone wall over on the left looks the best option and from there we will pick out any high ground highlighted under the afternoon sun.

With lunch over we strike out alongside the stone wall, it's pretty wet but firm underfoot as we tramp out in search of the 'green bits' these were stretches of grass which offered firm footings. We had first made a 'crows eye' for the stone wall on the flank of Ling Fell but our crossing sent us too far right, in order to retrace we would have to negotiate numerous becks and natural culverts embedded into the moss.

Instead we go with the flow opting to make a diagonal ascent through the heather from right to left of the hill side, all the while avoiding the gorse bushes, soon after we emerge below the summit plateau alongside a narrow path.

If any ascent was going to be on my mind today the ascent on Ling Fell was it, having already collected five summits this ascent was going to pull at tiring muscles yet it couldn't have been further from the truth.

Once again we had chosen to make a direct descent, this time however we track through Bracken making the steep descent much more manageable, we speak of how well the day has gone, in particular how things slotted nicely into one another like the crossing of Wythop Moss and how quickly Ling Fell was gained, both of which had been on my mind.

The sun was out for much of the descent and despite the walk being almost over the wind never let us forget just how cold it was, my car is reached and gear is packed into the back as we take the same drive back through Wythop Mill and the Whinlatter Pass exactly as we did this morning this time however both complaining of the tingling feeling in our faces as the heat from the car heater starts to kick in, there is a real feeling of accomplishment here today, after all it's not very often you can take on a route such as this in these conditions and still come away smiling.