After what can only be described as some of the finest Winter walking conditions over the past week overnight snow has caught Cumbria County Council by surprise leaving trunk roads un-gritted resulting in stranded cars along the A591 and accident after accident. I left the M6 at junction 36 but it wasn't until I reached the junction for the A590 did the chaos begin. Cars with their indicators still flashing were left abandoned along the carriageway. Police were doing their best helping the owners of vehicles which had left the carriageway who had also been caught by the sudden change in road conditions. My headlights lit up one carriageway and a set of tyre tracks left by vehicles further up the road who like me were travelling at less than 20mph by now. To say my heart was in my mouth would have been an understatement, I couldn't believe the roads hadn't been gritted.

We had arranged to met at the lay by just outside Grasmere at 08:30am and despite conditions, I was only behind by ten minutes or so. I was expecting my phone to ring from either David or Rod who were travelling from the north via St Johns-in-the-Vale and Dunmail Rase. David was already there when I arrived and from the look on his face the first topic of conversation was how treacherous road conditions were over Dunmail Raise - confirmed by Rod who arrived a few minutes later. It had crossed all three of our minds 'what were we doing here' but I guess there's no better way to settle the nerves than to walk a ten miler through the tranquility of some of Lakelands most scenic hamlets..

By Dawn there was more traffic travelling along the A591 which helped to disperse the snow. Now that we were here we agreed to continue with the walk which should be wrapped up just after lunch allowing the snow to melt and gritters to attend any untreated roads. As we were kitting up the sound of a tractor approaching broke the silence which span around at the bottom of the lay by, mounted the kerb and sprayed silage to sheep in the adjoining field. This photo was taken just as the tractor had left.

The route had already been confirmed in the week and although I was familiar with the area I'd never linked the various paths together so I was looking forward to making the most of what would otherwise be described as a 'stay at home day' With the cars locked we crossed the A591 then passed through the gate on the opposite side just as we had two weeks ago during our Blea Rigg walk.

We crossed Skelwith Bridge then turned left up the steep road eventually flanking Little Loughrigg to our left before picking up the footpath below Ivy Crag. Although it was only the slightest of ascents we seemed to climb into the mist finding the paths busy with folk walking to and from Loughrigg Fell.

Up ahead a gang of teenage girls on mountain bikes asked David would he take their picture to which he obliged not before faking to run off with the girls phone first.

With lunch packed up we began the steady (then steep) ascent towards Rydal Mount and the Coffin Route thereafter not before being entertained by a VW Golf whose driver thought it would be a good idea to drive up the snow covered steep hill before the car came to a wheel spinning stop. Looking bewildered the driver kept flooring the car by which time the car was starting to slide backwards into a 4x4 which had followed the Golf Up.

The driver got out the 4x4 and said something to the Golf driver who just sat there spinning the tyres of the car. Now a Kia was behind the 4x4 - all three cars stuck whilst the three of us looked on.

We began our descent taking care that the ice and snow didn't get the better of us. Ahead a Citroen Picasso has come to an halt on the snow covered slope right opposite where an Audi had been abandoned its right hand wheels hanging over a ditch. Continuing down the for some reason I was compelled to look back which was when I spotted a break in the mist revealing Heron Pike set against the bluest of skies, no sooner had the cloud parted did it role back in again and Heron Pike was gone.

We joined the A591 where we was pleased to find that most of the snow had turned to slush and traffic moving freely. David passes a Land Rover Evoque with rear end damage which looked fresh to the trained eye. With cars unlocked we each began our kit down agreeing how much we'd enjoyed the route but most importantly, how we'd made the most of grey day in Lakeland.