After what seemed like months of rain, cooler air has now gripped the county, bringing sunshine and what can only be described as near-perfect walking conditions. David couldn't make today's walk, but it was great to have Rod and his daughter Louise join me on a walk that I initially planned to walk on Boxing Day, but the weather wasn't playing ball back in December and I climbed Fairfield instead.

We last walked Skidda on New Year's Day last year, and if I remember correctly, we had snow on the ground from Bakestall upwards. Sadly, we didn't encounter any snow today, but to make up for it, we had valley mist for much of the morning and we were balanced beneath the cloud layer as we summited Lonscale Pike's East Ridge. Couple that with a hard frost underfoot, light winds, and strong sunshine, and I think today's walk has made walk of the year just two walks in!

Not only were we sandwiched between the summit and the cloud, but we also got to witness those special few moments when the cloud lifted from the fellside, not before revealing broken spectres. I mean, what more could you want from a fell walk?

The car was completely frozen when I left home under clear skies, encountering fog from Tebay northwards. I was sceptical of what I'd find when I left the M6 at Penrith and headed west towards Keswick. Blencathra's summit was completely clear, which couldn't be said for the parking spaces at Scales, which were already full at 8:10am when I drove past, I even managed to spot a few walkers ascending Mousthwaite Comb. Early indications were that we were in for a great day on the hill. We had arranged to meet at Briar Rigg Keswick in favour of the car park at the top of Gale Road, where not only is it pot-holed to buggery, but the steep incline from Under Skiddaw towards the car park is known to freeze in Winter and can be a nightmare for drivers attempting to risk it.

Rod and Louise were already there when I arrived about 8:20am and had been for sometime owing to setting off too early, but I'd call that eager to get onto the fell. Despite the temperature hovering just above freezing, it felt much colder due to the stillness of the air. More cars were beginning to arrive as I finalised my kit, making sure I had plenty of spare layers including my Napapijri hat which works wonders on those extra-cold summits. We left the cars and turned right onto Spoony Green Lane, crossed the footbridge over the A66 before joining the Cumbrian Way below the western flanks of Latrigg and Mallen Dodd. Rod had already mentioned that he and Louise would be tagging Latrigg on at the end of the walk on account that it's one of his mum's fondest summits, who is in hospital at the moment.

With Latrigg to our right we continued along the Cumbrian Way passing around half a dozen fell runners all heading back towards Keswick. Despite the freezing temperatures the ground underfoot was muddy and unavoidable.

The car park at the top of Gale Road was soon reached which was as expected, full to bursting with more cars arriving we passed through onto firm ground taking the right fork as we headed towards Whit Beck. Dawn had broke but the sun had risen into a bank of cloud behind the Dodd ridge causing the low light to continue which also added some nice cloud dramatics.

Under brilliant winter sunshine, we continued our descent, leaving the windchill behind for what felt like spring sunshine on the lower slopes. I could have sworn the temperature had risen into double figures, but descending as quickly as we were, the extra heat was probably caused by the exertion. By now, the mist was starting to break up over Derwent Water, which left its surface looking like a polished mirror. Beyond, the Borrowdale fells were still gripped by cloud cloaking the summits like giant duvets with the exception of Great Gable whose peak had protruded the cloud all day. Milder now, but too close to the car to stop and delayer despite making the last mile uncomfortable. With the car park at Gale Road reached the ice had thawed and had been replaced by a watery clay. Latrigg just beyond now, where I say my goodbyes to Rod and Louise and thanked them for a truly great day.

After crossing the car park I began my descent while Skiddaw nodded back at me through gaps in the trees. Cloud was forming across its lower slope, but it would probably lift rather than settle. From the Cumbrian Way, I spotted the path on the western flank of Latrigg where walkers were heading to and from its summit, but I didn't spot Rod and Louise who had to be minutes away. Into the steep woodland, where I passed three couples all heading back and one chap heading in the opposite direction, it had dawned on me that Latrigg at this time of year would make the perfect summit to watch the sunset from. Sunlight breaking through the canopy above and the noise of traffic travelling along the A66 brought me back to reality and I was soon back at Briar Rigg de-layering while wondering if it was Rod and Louise I could see on top of Latrigg's summit.