Descending Steel Fell

I left it until our last morning to test my Achilles and climb a local Wainwright. It would have been incredibly frustrating to have spent a few days up here and not ticked off another summit. 

I woke at about 5:30 am and was climbing Steel fell by just after 6 am. Initially, the Achilles protected, but as I continued upwards along the southern ridge of the fell, it settled down and I was soon making good progress with the help of walking sticks. As ever there were plenty of false summits but I finally reached the summit just as the sun climbed above the eastern ridge of Fairfield (see extra).

The descent was made more pleasant by the warmth from the sun, only dropping back down behind the fellside as I reached this point in the main image. You can see Helm Crag on the right, including its summit of the Cannon , or Lion and Lamb (depending on where you view it from). I made it down in plenty of time to get back for breakfast.

On leaving the hotel we took the scenic route back, driving up to Keswick and then through Borrowdale before climbing over Honister Pass to Buttermere. A short walk, rewarded by a cream tea at the local cafe and then we started home.

Some congestion on the M6 held us up for a while but we made it home in good time.  A fabulous few days in the Lakes.

Ps my Achilles is aching again, but it was worth it!