The weekends forecast at the start of my walk report is fast becoming the norm and this weekends walk is sadly, no different. We had a strong forecast which remained through the week until the last 24hrs where fog and low cloud would envelope the lower slopes, until mid morning affecting worst, the southern fells.

Around four weeks ago myself and Tim had arranged to re-visit III Crag's formidable Cockley Pike ridge after it came up during a text conversation where instead of ascending from the Eskdale side we would ascend from Borrowdale and a date was set, that date was today. After only ascending what is referred to as 'The longest continuous scrambling gradient in England' once I thought it best I brush up on the route alongside creating a new draft for the website which was all to no avail, the forecast simply wasn't playing ball and we quickly had to come up with a plan B during the early stages of the walk.

Our plan B route was confirmed while the cloud swirled around three 'kinda' sulking adults along with one boy who's hopes of getting hand to crag had been dashed but as you are about to find out it didn't turn out all bad in the end, in fact that same boy and those adults were also lucky enough to witness said cloud peel away from some of Lakelands grandest giants.

If you turn up and find that you can’t easily park at Seathwaite without being confident a fire engine or tractor and trailer could easily pass, please consider one of these three alternatives.

The National Trust, Cumbria Highways and the Lake District National Park authority are working together to find a long term solution for those of you who like to park at Seathwaite, but it will take time.

If it wasn't the low light restricting visibility the density of the cloud put a stop to any long distant view let alone any photography. It was an incredibly mild ascent coupled with mist which clung to hair and clothing and by the time we had reached the top of Ruddy Gill we were all damp, steaming or both. The thought of calling off The Cockley Beck ridge was constant on my mind but I didn't speak about it until the steep ravines off Ruddy Gill were reached and even then I was testing the water to see how the others would react.

We stopped for a breather where dead ahead the East face of Great End would have domineered our view except all we could see was the hands in front of our faces, it would have done young James good to see what he was about to climb, our plan B, yet to be confirmed.

The outline of Great End's south facing shoulder appeared through the cloud but it didn't last and as soon it appeared it was succumbed by the cloud. We forked right and left the path for upper Esk Hause not sighting Allen Crags to the East but of course we knew it was there. We seemed to slow down during the ascent onto Esk Hause possibly because we knew we'd have to call The Cockley Pike ridge off, in-fact we all knew it earlier, we just kept it inside until we had to.

With the cloud swirling around us myself and Rod came up with two Plan B walks, Rod went first with a traverse of the Glaramara ridge from Allen Crags to Thornythwaite Fell followed by my Great End and Lambfoot Dub alternative, we settled on Great End and Lambfoot Dub thereby shelving the Cockley Pike ridge for another day where the experience wouldn't be lost to cloud and nor would our safety.

In almost silence we ascended Calf Cove then cut across the Col and shouldered Great End. There was no sign of the summit cairn with thick cloud still denying our view where every now and again the odd sheep might emerge then quickly disappear. We broke away from the path and steered right over the rock strewn plateau and soon the summit cairn appeared through the cloud.

"there it is"

We had spent the best part of twenty minutes watching the cloud come and go over The Corridor Route and if lucky, Lingmell beyond. Although no one spoke of it a chill had began to settle on already damp clothing, hair and skin and we set about our descent onto The Corridor Route taking a grass rake Northwards until the outlines of fellow walkers were revealed travelling to and from Scafell Pike along The Corridor Route.

"Back to reality lads"

After passing dozens of walkers heading for Scafell Pike along The Corridor Route we arrived at Sty Head feeling a tad warm and it was decided that we should de-layer whilst over looking Styhead Tarn. With the cloud confined to the higher slopes we kit down and make adjustments for the walk back to Seathwaite. It was agreed that instead of taking the short cut onto the path alongside Styhead Gill that we should visit Sty Head 'properly' by means of visiting the Stretcher Box which we did while observing ant like walkers making descents via the Breast Route. The air by now was feelling mild and with the best part of the walk behind us we discussed the highs and lows all agreeing that witnessing the gaping cloud revealing Great Gable had been the best highlight of the day, our lows...well, we never got to those.

We walked along the banks of Styhead Gill then began the steep descent into the Seathwaite valley catching familiar faces who had left Seathwaite this morning and smiles were exchanged. Meanwhile back at Seathwaite lines of cars extended as far as Seathwaite Bridge although by now the campsite was looking a lot more deserted. It felt much later than 2pm as cloud still lingered over Great End while blue skies opened out as far East as Blueberry Fell and the Helvellyn range beyond which I guess was the hand we had been dealt today, a hand that we simply had to embrace.