Top of the world

Well at least the top of Yorkshire and that's nearly the same.
I was fortunate to be invited yesterday to walk up Ingleborough (Yorkshire's iconic high peak) with friends.

It has been the most amazing, exhilarating and scary day. Amazing as I have never climbed this peak before despite it being in my native Yorkshire; exhilarating as it has been a perfectly clear and crisp cold day with stunning views all around on the way there, at the top and on the way back down; scary because it was treacherously icy on the paths and steps on the climb up, snowy and icy on the top and an uncertain route back (to avoid those icy steps) against the clock as the sun was going down.

Here you can see the snowy top of Ingleborough and nearby Penyghent, one of the famous three peaks of Yorkshire. In the extras I have put a shot of our collective shadows (8 in all and a dog) with the view ahead to Ribblehead. You can just make out the viaduct in the valley bottom. A hazier view, as it was more into the sun, was to Morecambe Bay and Cumbria, the nuclear power station at Heysham being easy to distinguish.

We eventually arrived at L's cousin's farm for a welcome cup of tea. We had walked 7 miles, much of it uphill, and the sun was just about to disappear. Lifts were given to collect cars which luckily hadn't received tickets for parking over our allotted 4 hours.

The day was rounded off at the Station pub at Ribblehead for an excellent meal, despite the fact that nearly everything on the board was 'off' which caused much laughter.
A great and unforgettable bank holiday in excellent company.
Thank you L for your 'leading' and R for driving.

Got home just before 9.00pm a mere 11 hours after setting out!

See also Wilsden Walker https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2262719861543145095
and Corinthian Column https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2262709766243485671