The forecast was good, some low cloud, clear above 400m, great visibility, small risk of snow showers. The reality was different, 10m visibility, strong winds. Maybe the only bit that was as expected was the temperature. Very cold. That’s mountains for you.

Its always good to get out of the office and back to the hills, I don’t do enough of it. As the adverts say “climb now, work later”. It was “only” a systems project meeting, after all.

It didn’t go quite as planned, not that there was too much planning involved. The broad intention was to have a look at some of the climbs on Nethermost and Dollywaggon, then take a mountaineering route up the ridge to Nethermost. But what’s the point in looking at routes when you can’t see much past your feet.

So it turned into one of those Winter ML Quality Mountain Days. Axes and crampons, all the kit on, and navigating by compass, pacing and dead-reckoning to take in all the minor summits in the Helvellyn range. But a pleasure all the same getting it right.

Well done to everyone else up there too. And well done Cassie, proving once again that you have the makings of a proper dog.

Another day in the office flies by!

Jonathan