It's only been two days since my last walk and I can still feel those aching muscles returning to normal, I guess after todays walk which collects six two thousand footers in a rather spectacular fashion on the Skiddaw Fells my muscles again, will return to the only state they know.

It's only been six months since my last visit to Skiddaw and back then all the routes for all twenty seven walks were lying in waiting for Spring to arrive. It's only now that those drafts start to become a reality, more so as I approach the last chapter of my campaign.

Todays walk on the Skiddaw Massif collects six summits over two thousand feet starting from Gale Road, from where Lonscale Fell will be summated via Skiddaw's old tourist route before flanking east to collect Lonscale Fell after which a gentle but steady ascent will see me take on Jenkin Hill before continuing to collect the second summit of the day with Skiddaw Lesser Man, thereafter the walk takes on the traverse of Broad End from where the two summits of Carl Side and Long Side are collected.

Wednesday's forecast was much better than Tuesday but I had plans and went with todays forecast which predicted an 80% chance of cloud free summits, this, is the kind of green light all fell walkers like to read but I guess they can't get it right all of the time as the summits in almost every direction were still under cloud come midday.

Todays walk starts, or as Harry quotes, cheats from the top of Gale Road, that's as close to the foot of Skiddaw as your going to get. I didn't expect half as many cars on the car park as I saw the moment I pulled up, having been any later the chances are I would have to park the car in a hedge somewhere back along the road. Beside me a fellow walker is kiting up, we share a morning but that is it, a little awkward but I instantly got the message he didn't want a chat. After passing through Scales I could now see the enormity of the cloud cover, inversion is probably the wrong word to use as the cloud lingered around the lower slopes of just about every fell in site, it was also lifting quite quickly too despite how dreary the light was.

From the car park Skiddaw was starting to look busy as I spotted walkers taking on the steep path, some of which were large groups who I would later pass. A bench came in handy enabling me to kit up 'off ground' which was still wet and muddy, with the car locked I shouldered a heavy pack, this being confirmed by the thud my back received, the reason for this is I'm carrying close to four litres of Hydration and half a dozen Satsuma's along with its everyday contents.

The guy next to me locked his car much the same time as I did and I waited at the gate holding it until he passed through 'thanks' I guess this guy is just the quiet type. I quickly gained some ground arriving at the Hawel Monument from where I could just see the guy heading down towards Whit Beck, mmm...chances are he's heading for Lonscale Fell too I thowt.

After a few photos taking in the dismal light headed off along the track from where the terribly steep ascent on Skiddaw starts, ahead a couple and groups make their ascents, stopping to catch their breaths back, no doubt, I'll soon be joining them.

I hit the path hard, probably too hard firstly overtaking a couple who I had seen from the car park who admittedly, had stopped to rest more than once, ahead two large groups which had possibly split into two disappear over the zigzagged path. By now sweat is streaming down my forehead creeping into my eyes, generous swipes from my sleeve relieve this a I stop to take out my baseball cap from my pack which should help - but really doesn't as all it does now is stop the heat escaping from my head!

I peservere with the steep ascent gaining ground quickly on the two large groups ahead, soon I will head off path to take on the heights of Whit Beck but for now, I need to get around the groups. It turns out the groups are Duke of Edinburgh students some of whom are struggling with both the steep path and the humidity, the one thing that I did observe though was how the group waited on the slowest members who were held up at the back which I thought was a good tactic, once I arrived I passed on 'you all ok' followed by a morning, in return I received separate mornings from the group members, including the tired ones, it would seem the adopted leader of the group 'a young man' around 15 yrs old took charge of the group who by now was exciting encouragement into the slower members which I thought showed good leadership skills. All of this was a fleeting observation but I guess you know what I mean.

Ahead, it was time to leave the path where the gradient lessens somewhat as I flank Whit Beck bound for Lonscale Fell.

After taking on the grassy path besides Whit Beck which provided my lungs with a little respite I continued towards the col from where I hopped over the fence via the carefully placed stones provided, thereafter, it's just a short steady climb to reach Lonscale Fell.

In this photo you can just see the last two members of the group over in the right of the photo.

Worried is probably the wrong word I would use, but concerned that I may have to traverse Skiddaw's Broad End in thick cloud started to creep up on me whilst watching the cloud roll in, the type of which was thick and heavy, my view north over the 'Back O'Skiddaw looked worse as Great Calva and Bakestall were by now under thick white cloud.

Observe and evaluate.

My time spent at Lonscale Fell summit was very atmospheric to say the least, but it had started to turn cold which caused me to roll the sleeves down on my midlayer. Ahead Jenkin Hill with Lesser Man and Little Man beyond, this is easy walking territory which creates space to free the mind.

I re-track my route back to the col where I hop over the fence again, further across however I discover the middle section very wet and boggy causing me to divert a little before taking on the steady climb to reach Jenkin Hill.

By the time I had topped out on Jenkin Hill the cloud was lying just feet off the ground, I had watched it stroll in steadily over the course of just a few minutes which didn't give me much confidence on how quickly it might lift again.

By the time I had passed the summit cairn of Jenkin Hill my visibility had gone from thirty metres to just five. I knew I was only half an hour away from Broad End at most as my confidence in the traverse started to fluctuate.

I could here voices confirming I was close to the Skiddaw's summit path, what I didn't expect was how close they were as I met up with the Duke of Edinburgh students once again who had stopped to add layers, for anyone including myself walking in thick hill fog can be an intimidating thing so I casually asked were they ok, only two nodded this time, who didn't, just smiled less encouraging than that of less than half an hour ago, Sure I ask? I look to the leader who looks calm and has things under control, ok guys I say, I might see you at the summit, take care and have a good day.

Skiddaw Little Man is to be my second two thousander of the day, to gain its summit I have two choices, one is to flank Lesser Man or to summit both, which was my preferred choice. The path is steep but after a steady ascent I soon arrive at Lesser Man.

Having topped out on Lesser Man it became quickly apparent that the cloud was here to say, not even a snippet of Derwent Water just visibilty which was down to around twenty feet.

It was notably cooler at the summit of Lesser Man, that cool wind had a chill to it which by now was biting at my hands, it was now time to de-shoulder out of the wind and add my jacket. I soon found what appeared to be a make-shift shelter behind the cairn which I had never noticed before, either way it provided enough shelter from the prevailing winds for me to comfortably add my jacket.

With Lesser Man summited (not collected as a two thousander) I head off for Little Man.

If a photo could tell a thousand thoughts then this would be it. Mentally I knew exactly where I was but the cloud was so think I had to put my own safety first, I mean is it really worth it just to stick to a route? my gut answer to this was yes, and for me, should I have had to second think my decision then I probably wouldn't have gone with it.

When Harry wrote about his own crossing of Broad End he too had to navigate by compass, he also stated that the ground was reliably firm and not what he had expected, my experience however was different, more so on the 'Little Man' side of Broad End who's slate was more scattered which didn't really leave confidence in footings, instead I tracked my way across by using any firm ground that I could find, here the soil was untouched and fell away easily once I had put my foot into it, this causing the smell of soil which isn't just pungent, but a reminder that not many people walk here, but, I was pleased I could 'find a line' and maintain it too.

What happened next was truly uplifting in so many ways.

This was exactly the point where I wanted to exit Broad End by, and sure enough the 'Carl Side' of Broad Side was made up of fixed slate that didn't move when walking over it although this may differ when wet. I was pleased in that I didn't have to second guess Harry's remarks about how fixed the slate felt, had the traverse been the same as it was from the Little Man side I may well have done, but the Carl Side part of it, Harry had got it spot on.

I use the sheep (stupid I know because they move) as a fixed object on which to aim for, my only hope was that the sheep that I had fixed on were feeling lazy today, turns out he/she was, only scurrying away once I approached it, good job that sheep!

Before heading down onto Carlside Tarn I had spotted two large groups taking a rest, they all re shouldered as I approached the col which left me to have Carl Side summit to myself., not before passing Carlside Tarn that is.

The wind had died down by the time I reached Carl Side which let me feeling muggy again, with this I walk over to the south side of the summit where I peer over my trodden ground, it's no use though the cloud has regrouped and I can't see a thing. I de shoulder and take out two Satsuma's before peeling them both watching the cloud circulate and cling to Broad End and indeed Skiddaw Little Man.

Behind me the fourth two thousander of the day in Long Side, to gain its summit should only take me ten minutes as I head out through drifting cloud.

After losing visibility on Long Side I walked my way back to Carlside Tarn where I picked up the steep path bound for Skiddaw summit, through the cloud I spot a group shouldering the summit followed by a fell runner who passed me on Long Side summit, the break in the cloud was welcome but as always, this path is unforgiveably steep.

Soon I am passed by the fell runner on his way down, we momentarily pass on our 'al rights' but I guess the both of us had the ascent/descent in mind. Ahead a large cairn confirms I am close to the top which is right at the point my legs run out of steam. Nevertheless I persevere not slowing down until I am on the summit plateau.

Through the mist another fell runner appears, we pass on our 'hellos' before he disappears off into the mist again, it's just a short trek before the cairn is reached yet all I can think about is my return off the summit as now the cold is starting to bite at my hands again.

It was close to lunch time and had it been a little more pleasant up here I would have downed pack and eaten lunch at the summit shelter, but Skiddaw just wouldn't have it.

Summit time was spent taking just the two photos before a solitary tap from my left hand on the trig column. It was as if winter had returned as the wind howled leaving my legs feeling raw and red. Before leaving the summit completely I am joined by a mother and daughter who ask how far? we have a brief chat as she points at my camera 'not much use up here she smiles' aye I know, it might brighten up later I reply. Once of the summit I start my descent towards Little Man once more, where my views start to open up.

It wasn't just me who stood here to watch the cloud break, most walkers on their ascents stopped too, my reason differed than theirs as I was mapping my earlier route onto Broad End, I remember clearly walking past the puddle then veering left (my left) to where you see the stone and grass converge.

I follow the fence close to where you see the two walkers, from here I pass through a wooden gate with views of my final two thousander of the day in Sale How.

The Loggers had piled the felled logs in four large rows just outside the car park. Here the local sheep graze and aren't phased by the noisy machinery. A young family pushes a toddler on the path leading to Latrigg summit, before the toddler decides that she wants to push the pram instead. Families run for cover!

The car park is bustling with doubled parked cars and mini buses leaving hardly any room for manoeuvre which kind of brings my walk to a sudden end. Behind me as I glance back over Lonscale Fell before passing through the final gate I spot the walker who I had passed with his Labrador, he is sitting down taking in the views over Keswick as I am reminded of the world we live in where everyone seems to be in a rush to get somewhere, even as a fell walker I am guilty of it, but maybe once in a while stop for a few moments and pay the walk the reflection time it deserves.

Until next time.