It's been hit and miss regarding the weather as of late but If I'd have known how well the forecast would have turned out when I booked this day off four weeks ago I'd have put a line on the lottery too.

I had an encyclopedia of walks to choose from which included Snowdonia and The Peak District but in the end Lakeland won. I built the walk around visiting Little Stand then set about my options of which there were many. The last time I climbed alongside Hell Gill I was troubled by a chap who didn't know the way and decided to follow me from ODG all the way to Three Tarns, now I'm far from being an anti socialist but that ascent was very trying and I don't mean due to the steepness of the gradient.

Wainwright describes the ascent of Hell Gill as an alternative to that of the Band but I feel it's much more than that, it's a rugged wild place with rock scenery and waterfalls that would equal any walk above Seathwaite yet the walker is gripped by the solitude of the place all the while 300ft above your head walkers make their pilgrimage to Three Tarns while in the expanse below Shelter Crags the walker ascends unseen towards the same goal.

Not only was I treated to a parking space at Rossett Bridge the mist had started to clear leaving pockets just here and there hovering above the tree tops. It felt like Christmas had come early. I arrived the same time as the chap who owned the black Land Rover parked in front of me who was just about to leave and smiled 'morning' as I got out of my car before making off in the direction of ODG. It's a beautiful bright morning with just a slight nip to the air so I add my Alpkit soft shell just to take the bite away.

Despite the miles ahead of me I wasn't in any huge rush to leave so once laces are tied I had a wander to the opposite side of the road to see if I could spot anyone ascending Stickle Gill but unusually, spot no one. I returned to my car and took a long gulp of Summer Fruits clearing half a litre in the process before placing the bottle back in my boot, after one final pat down and sweep of the boot I locked the car and crossed Rossett Bridge towards Stool End Farm.

Today I opted to walk alongside Whorneyside Force until the waterfalls came into view which were the first of many highlights on todays walk.

I re-join the path by ascending steeply to the left of the falls all the while being treated to the sound of cascading water.

Three Tarns were all visible but the centre tarn has to be my favourite given its magnificent views. By now that 'morning nip' had turned into a bit of a chill so off came my pack and on went my jacket.

I hadn't realised that by adding my jacket I'd now covered up the Buff which I'd double twisted over my right wrist to form a sweatband which I conveniently used to wipe my forehead...just stick with me on this...

It was around here as I went to wipe my forehead did I realise my Buff was missing from my wrist, without thinking too much into it it dawned on me that when I added my jacket I must have taken it off and now it was lying on the ground back at Three Tarns. It was too far to head back for a fifteen quid Buff so feeling gutted, I continued over Shelter Crags thinking how the hell am I going to wipe my forehead now...

It would transpire that I might not need too.

Within minutes of taking the last photo I was enveloped in thick cloud that eerily clung to the summit. One minute I was enjoying the sun soaked views while wiping sweat from my forehead the next I was in almost zero visibility while thinking about adding my hat and gloves, this is how quick the weather changes in Lakeland.

Between Crinkles three and four I passed two walkers before beginning my ascent on Crinkle four (Crinkle two if travelling south to north) Where I found the rock to be wet and greasy, funny how conditions change quickly too not encountering rock so slippery previously. Clambering over rock I crested the summit and made my way over to the summit cairn which was eerily quiet. I gave the cairn a tap with my right walking pole then another with my right hand, doubled back right and followed the cairns towards the alternative Bad Step path.

I started my descent and was soon passed by a young lad probably no older than 21 ascending the alternative path who gave off a 'how do' in a strong Lancashire accent 'morning' I replied. Descending Crinkle five was a trio made up of two young girls and a young lad, all by-passed the Bad Step and made their ascent by the alternative path where another 'morning' was shared.

Despite my surrounding summits being cloud free Crinkle Crags was still holding onto a little cloud which left the fell side looking between one shade of dark brown to another. I had remembered using a second alternative path which by-passes a direct descent/ascent of the 5th or 1st Crinkle where by leaving the path at grid reference NY 251 044 the walker can descend easily via a series of grassy banks onto the Stonesty Pike plateau.

It was during this descent did I spot who appeared to be an elderly chap having just left Stonesty Pike summit. In the low light the summit cairn was barely visible but the chap made a great reference point for me to aim for, shame I couldn't thank him for it.

My feet were starting to ache a little but I took the descent in good stead under a hot afternoon sun while looking forward to de-layering once Red Tarn was reached. Walkers had congregated at the crossroads so I found a spot off the beaten track and removed my jacket where I instantly spotted my Buff still wrapped around my wrist.

It would seem I hadn't removed it after all and there was me mourning its loss, what an absolute goofball!

With temperatures topping 20°C it was time to enjoy the afternoon sunshine while kicking my feet into the backs of my boots. Lakeland is still experiencing unprecedented high figures of visitors but on this quiet Monday afternoon as I made my way through Great Langdale I only passed two people at Stool End Farm where I spotted the Farmer and hand tending to a flock of penned sheep.

With Stool End Farm behind me the sound of climbers on Raven Crag relaying orders broke the silence of the valley followed by the odd passing car or the distant bark of a dog from a nearby campsite.