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.

Thornthwaite Crag via Threshwaite Mouth

A surprising solitary valley ascent to a magnificent southerly view (pictured). (With Ian Lyne.)

Route: From the Hartsop carppark along Pasture Beck, up a stone staircase to Threshwaite Mouth (and the view). Thence to join the huddled masses at Thornthwaite Beacon, along High Street, up the Knot and then down a diagonal path beneath Brock Crags.

Conditions: Bracing: icy wind and clear views

Pub: Kirkstone Inn, for Tirril Red Screes.

Stand Crags, Little Hart Crag and Red Screes

A day of surprising sun, some autumnal woodlands and rough off path tramping.

Route: From the Brotherswater Inn along Dovedale before bearing south / left along a wall and then up onto the undulating ridge of Stand Crags, crossing Hogget Gill to continue, pathless up another ridge and then east to Little Hart Crag. Thence to Scandale Pass and up Red Screes, again pathlessly cutting a corner to the summit. Then down Middle Fell.

Conditions: Initial hazy cloud burnt off to leave a warm sunny autumnal day.

Pub: Brotherswater Inn, for Barngates Westmorland Gold.

Robinson, Knott Rigg and Ard Crags

A day of mixed weather on a pretty horseshoe. Route 30 from Great Mountain Days.

Route: From the car park at the foot of Ard Crags, by road to Newlands Church and High Snab, up past Blea Crag via rock steps to Robinson. Then down across Buttermere Moss to High Snockrigg, crossing Newlands Hawse and then up Knott Rigg, Ard Crags and Aikin Knot and back down to the car park.

Conditions: Mixed! Initial low cloud and rain replaced by drier windy conditions and some sun.

Pub: Middle Ruddings Country Inn, Braithwaite for Derwent Water Harvester and Loweswater Langdale.