My last walk of 2024 saw the end of three consecutive days of cloud inversions over the north east of the district catching walkers by surprise once they climbed high out of the forecasted cloud. To say I was gutted on missing out on the inversions would be an understatement but I know I'm not alone. More cloud and drizzle was forecast for Saturday so I resigned myself to do a low level walk around Thirlmere and at the last minute asked David was he free to join me as I knew Rod would be travelling from the north-east to walk on the 29th or 30th. David replied with "give me a call tonight" and during that phone call we both read Weatherline's and MWIS (Mountain Weather Information Service) forecasts. During my last walk with David I had mentioned that I wouldn't mind walking Skiddaw before the end of the year but the forecast wouldn't allow. Skiddaw had been included in recent inversions and with a tip from the fell top assessor last night (weatherline) advising that the inversions may last in to tomorrow. It was my last walk of the year and we both agreed to give Skiddaw a go.

We had arranged to meet at the slightly later time of 07:30am safe in knowledge that we wouldn't be seeing the sunrise this morning due to low cloud but thought we'd set off early anyway to get ahead of the crowds. Instead of meeting at the car park at the top of Gale Road we met at the parking spaces opposite Underscar Hotel unaware that the pot-holed Gale Road had been resurfaced all the way to the car park which I might add still has the surface of a clay quarry. David was already there when I arrived head torch on almost kitted up; I would soon follow. Once ready we locked the cars and began the steep ascent on Gale Road our head torches illuminating the woodland to both our flanks. Further up the road we spotted head torches through the trees which would put the wearers in the vicinity of the Hawell Monument and by the time we had reached the car park their owners had most probably began their ascent on Skiddaw and were already in the low cloud. It was a mild morning, an incredible 8°C causing David to remove his jacket due to the steepness of the Gale Road incline. I was overheating too but would put up with it for now.

We too passed the Hawell Monument where we turned around to view the pre-dawn glow of sunrise wedged between layers of cloud, it was 07:41am and we knew this was the last we'd see of the sunrise before ascending into cloud. The further we climbed the tourist path we began to overheat again. David stopped to remove a second layer leaving him with just one layer sleeves rolled up. This is David of old I laughed.

The only item I removed was my hat, the mildness would not last but it was pleasant while it did. We re-shouldered at the top of the zigzags only to hear boots over rock behind us and we were soon overtaken by a young lass and her Labrador like we were stood still. The young Lab barked the lass explaining he's still a pup and was nervous around strangers. I noted she was only wearing leggings, soft shell no hat or gloves but looked local and this was probably her early morning dog walk.

We soon reached the sheepfold above Glenderaterra Beck where we crossed paths with a large walking group. By the time we passed the group their instructor introduced them to the Cumbrian Way met with nod's and ahh's.

Our path continues over on the right side of the picture where it looks like we'll be ascending into more cloud as we pass below Lonscale Fell east ridge.

As thought we climbed into a cloud our path poured with water underfoot, our views misted of a sun-dappled Low Rigg below a layer of thick clagg, the Dodds lost in the cloud beyond. We were passed by many a mountain biker and indeed a fell runner along this path until it descended towards Whit Beck where I swilled my heavy boots out. Ascending gently out of the ravine, we were surprised to see walkers heading up Skiddaw, having just left the crowded car park, and hoped they knew they only had, at best, three and a half hours of light left. Screams from children, laughs from mothers and fathers, descending Latrigg, who I could only envy after witnessing the shafts of light penetrate the clouds over the Vale of Keswick, I'd have traded places with them any day, but it wasn't to be. We passed through the car park and began our descent back to Underscar, chatting about our favourite subject, food.

The mildness of the day returned, and by the time our cars were reached I couldn't wait to delayer. David mentioned that he might walk Raven Crag tomorrow with Jennifer, but he would have to see how his back was. I replied that if today's walk was the last of the year for both of us, we hadn't done badly, and to rest your back, mate. I will end this report by saying what another wonderful year I have had walking the Lakeland fells, slightly marred by the lack of hot weather during the summer months replaced by cloudier conditions. My only wish next year is that I get to visit the places I didn't during 2024. SharkeysDream will be entering its eighteenth year and once again I would like to thank my followers for your support. You are, and will always be the reason for this website.