Wansfell Pike

A convalescent stroll on a grey post Christmas day.

Route: From the Organico's car park along Skelghyll Lane and then the path towards Jenkins Crag, turning left uphill at Kelsick Scar to follow a path past the observatory (pictured) and then wiggling about the hill to the summit. Down in the direction of Stockghyll Force.

Conditions: Damp, warm compared to recent frosts, some spots of ice on the ground still.

Pub: White Lion for Youngs Golden Christmas Ale.

Simon's Seat via the Valley of Desolation

A surprisingly tiring expedition across grouse filled moors on a wintry Christmas Day.

Route: From the Cavendish Pavilion carpark (free on Christmas Day) a short way north along the east back of the river before heading east passed Waterfall Cottage and the path to the Valley of Desolation; dropping down into the valley to cross a foot bridge and then walking along next to the river / waterfalls before climbing out, crossing a wood on a track and then climbing slowly across the moors to the head of a valley and then on to Simon's Seat.

Conditions: Cold, snow under foot and low cloud.

Pub: No pub but on to Nunmill House for a pint of York Terrier.

Helm Crag and Gibson Knott

A cold cloudy snowy short walk from a Grasmere Cottage.

Route: From Chapel Cottage, Grasmere, up the Easedale Road to the old Helm Crag path steeply up the edge of the ridge (much less good than the standard new path). Then on the Gibson Knott and down the old shepherds path (100m after a stone throne).

Conditions: Cold, snow under foot and low cloud.

Pub: Travellers Rest for Jennings Sneck Lifter.

Sergeant Man via Blea Rigg

An almost empty mountain landscape on a bright sunny day with snow under foot, from a Grasmere Cottage.

Route: From Chapel Cottage Grasmere up the Easedale Road before turning off left for the Blindtarn Moss path. A slight navigational error in the snow rationalised an early ascent of Swinescar Pike before Castle How and Blea Rigg and then up to Sergeant Man. Back along the same route to find, successfully, a shed Grivel Spider.

Conditions: Bright sun but a very tiring 8-12 inches of powdery snow drifting to a couple of feet.

Pub: Tweedies Bar, Grasmere for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Langdale.

Great Rigg via Stone Arthur

A quiet cold snowy walk from a cottage in Grasmere

Route: From Chapel Cottage, Grasmere, past the Swan Hotel to climb Stone Arthur and then on to Great Rigg. Down over Heron Pike to the Badger Bar and then back along the old road.

Conditions: Cold. Snow under foot and mist in the valley but clear from Stone Arthur and higher with views over the cloud of high fells.

Pub: Badger Bar for Barngates Chester's Strong and Ugly and Keswick Thirst Run.