Turning back

After the training came a chest infection which hadn't really cleared fully by the big day but we had committed to going so we decided to set out anyway and see what fate would bring.

The weather couldn't have been more kind, with sunny blue skies when we set out giving way to more cloud as we climbed but there was very little wind and the temperature was perfect.

Unfortunately as we got higher it became obvious (to me although I didn't say anything) that we weren't going to make it; the snow hadn't cleared much higher up and before long we reached a point where the path became indistinct with footprints heading off in all directions.

I'm not one for taking silly (to me) risks just for the sake of reaching a summit and I was so proud of my better half for attempting to carry on even though she was petrified of slipping. As you can see from the photo the clouds were gathering and sure enough on the way back down the snow fell. As to how the Japanese trio got on who passed us when we turned back, one of whom had a pair of converses on her feet I don't know. I certainly wouldn't have been wishing to find a safe path back down in the mist wearing just my fell shoes but each to their own.

Regardless it was a great day out and for someone who has only ever climbed up Winter Hill and the Walna Scar road in Coniston to get within a few hundred feet of the highest point in the UK I was proud of her!

She was still a bit disappointed on the way back though.