So the ladies are out again, recce'ing part of leg 3 for their Billy Bland Challenge in June. Nine of us head out into the wintry conditions from Dunmail. It's a steep climb up Steel Fell but short lived, once at the ridge we are in the snow, much softer than expected, lacking an overnight freeze.
The cloud cover is also not as expected, misty on the higher fells but fortunately less windy than forecast. We make good progress along to Calf Crag and then a long section up to Sergeant Man. It's tough going, deep soft snow underfoot and into the mist, compass bearings useful from now on.
Then onto Raise (this is on my bivvy list) and then bearings again to Thunacar Knott; a good place to break out the flask, hot Vimto, very refreshing. Over to Harrison Stickle and then a short, but testing section to Pike O'Stickle......a bit tricky on the short scramble up and down the summit knoll.
Then head down for a wet trudge over Martcrag Moor, some good features here to remember and plenty of wet ground if you don't. Then down to the main path, short section on this before the climb, traverse and climb to a very wintry Rossett Crag. It's not difficult to reach a consensus decision.....Bowfell will be there for another day, so we head down the main path by Rossett Ghyll and then the steady run along Mickleden to the waiting Cali, piled high with tea and cakes :-)
A good day out.
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