Aside from the darker evenings has anyone else noticed the subtle changed that Autumn is here. Already the trees are starting to turn a golden red and the light just before dusk is magical. Autumn is my favourite time of year both locally and when out on the fells but if you're not careful those subtle changes can pass you by.

In the UK, and especially Cumbria Autumn takes on two different meanings, one for the valleys and another for fells. As I experienced today the valleys are still clinging onto the edge of Summer but it's the high fells where you experience a rapid change. Gone are the single layers, shorts and extra hydration just in case your caught short. Autumn on the fells can quickly feel like Winter. It's in this transitional period when walkers can get caught out.

Autumn has always been my favourite time of year whether on local dog walks or high on the fells, the seasonal changes beyond pallets of gold and red, it's not only the leaves that change colour so does the moorland wild grasses and if you add the light you get at this time of year, well you're in for a treat, but its worth remembering even though it's mild in the valleys the chances are it's going to feel sub-zero on the fells.

Apart from a lovely sunrise it was an uneventful drive north and despite todays forecast being one of sunshine over towards the south west thick cloud hung low looking like it was about to unleash a downpour. Before I left the car I double checked the forecast to see if it had changed which was still showing sunshine from 9am through to 1pm.

There was only three other cars parked up mine being the fourth so I span the car around so it was facing towards Grasmere ready for when I return later. It's a tad on the cool side and I wouldn't have blamed anyone for slipping on a pair of gloves but a hat might have been a tad overkill. With the sun still climbing into what can only be described as a typical Autumn sky I opted to ditch my DSLR in favour of my mobile phone which copes better in low light and is easier to keep dry. Two fell runners and their dogs run along the pavement on the opposite side of the road as I lock my car, cross an almost deserted A591 and join them on the pavement. I quickly lose site of the runners who by now jogging past the high end cottages before turning left at the sign posted Greenhead Gill.

While descending Fairfield I was passed by a solo woman who took in the steep zigzags with ease, further down I pass a solo guy and we stop to chat and discuss each others routes, turns out the chap had ascended from Dunmail Raise via Raise Beck where he said the stone underfoot was very slippery 'same up top' as I pointed over my shoulder. After summiting Fairfield the chap would go onto St Sunday Crag and return to Dunmail Raise via Grisedale Tarn and Raise Beck 'nice route I thought'

Footnote: I'm sure it's not just me who likes to hear complete strangers routes, it's great to share and even better to walk them at a later date.

It's not every time I venture out onto the fells do I encounter folk who require a little assistance to which I'm more than happy to help with but the guy who I'd watch making his ascent a few minutes earlier just didn't want to listen to reason.

The guy was sat down finishing off a hot drink from a flask and we kinda hit it off straight away him asking me of my route which I returned. The chap had left Patterdale to do 'the round' to which I replied "cool, you heading back via Fairfield or Dollywagon" thinking he was walking the Grisedale Horseshoe I was a little confused when he replied "no down there" pointing towards Tongue Gill. Still confused I replied "so your heading back up via Tongue Gill or Stone Arthur?" "I don't know the names followed by these words "loads of lines looked easy from home"

I keep my frustration in, the chap starts to hit me with all sorts of questions including had I climbed Seat Sandal before but interrupts me before I had time to answer. I am somewhat perplexed, the chap clearly needs some guidance but is refusing to accept it. I try one last time "just go over your round one last time" I've told you easy, down there. Well I can't say I didn't try. I watched the guy start his descent of Seat Sandal heading towards Grasmere hoping that he soon realises his mistake.

What really worries me is this; if this chap was to turn his ankle and require the help of MRT to attend where would he tell the handler where his location was?

Now that the sun had come out I found a boulder, de-shouldered and unpacked my lunch while looking down on the chap who was still in descent. The chap disappeared down the ridge line as I tucked into a lovely chicken salad on soft white and washed it down with long gulps of Summer Fruit. I was soon back on my feet when the chap re-appeared at the bottom of the ridge as he passed through the first of two intake walls, took half a dozen strides into the field before spinning around and started to re-trace his steps. Flipping eck mate if you'd only listened.

There was no awkward pass because I wasn't going to be the one to tell him "I told you so" the guy knew and hopefully a lesson was learned. The Autumn sunshine continued to beat down and not wanting to miss it I delayered to just my base layer. I passed through the first, then second intake wall which I followed towards the gated footpath which ran alongside a spatted Tonguegill Force. In the sunshine green leaves edged in gold clung onto the branches as traffic travelling along the A591 became louder as the sound of cascading water faded into the distance. It's a sudden exit back into reality as boot graces tarmac leaving the half mile walk back to the layby where I go over the highlights of the morning.

Starting the walk with a rainbow over your head, feeling the first real windchill of the season and ending the walk in Autumn sunshine was just a few of those highlights.