The Eskdale Skyline

A substantial 17 mile and nearly 8 hour circuit, starting in Eskdale, from Slight Side on Sca Fell to Crinkle Crags (thus avoiding coverage of the royal wedding).

Route: Leaving the car (90 mins from home) in the new small car park at the start of the terrace route, faithfully along that low level path to Slight Side, then Sca Fell, descending to Foxes Tarn (where the paved route was largely lost in scree) to gain Sca Fell Pike. Deviating from the ridge route to tick off Broad Crag, Ill Crag and Great End before an easy climb of Esk Pike, Bow Fell and the main Crinkle summit. Then down steeply and pathlessly by Swinsty Gill to reach the main bridleway (from Three Tarns) along the Esk to reach the road and back to the car.

Conditions: Initially sun but severe winds; then cloud and stiller; finally sun for the long descent.

Pub: The Woolpack Inn for Hardknott Cold Fusion and Bank Top Barley to Beer and then the Prince of Wales at Foxfield for Foxfield Sands and Wasdale Golden Gill.

Wetherlam, Swirl How and Consiton Old Man

The Coniston Ridge from Tilberthwaite with Ian Lyne based at Fir Bank.

Route: Leaving the car in Coniston, the ground level foot path round the Yewdale Fells to the Tilberthwaite road and the Goldsworthy sheep fold. Then up the south side of Tilberthwaite Ghyll to Steel Ridge and thence onto Wetherlam. Following the ridge past Swirl How, Brim Fell and Coniston Old Man and down the path to the south and back round to the Walna Sca Road (where, by chance, we met A&A).

Conditions: Low cloud to begin with but the cloud lifted off each summit sequentially.

Pub: Sun Hotel for Tag Lag and Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold.

Helvellyn, Seat Sandal and Fairfield

A big walk on a hot day whilst staying at the Travellers Rest.

Route: From the Travellers Rest, a dull tramp up the road to the AA box at the top of Dunmail Raise and then a mile further north on the path a few hundred yards from the road to meet the busy path coming up from the Wythburn church and thence up Birk Side and to the top of Helvellyn. From there, keeping close to the edge, to Nethermost and Dollywagon Pikes and down the main path towards Grisedale Tarn but turning off to contour round to the saddle to the west. Up the slope to Seat Sandal then steeply down and up to Fairfield and then down via Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar to the Badger Bar. Back round Rydal and Grasmere on lakeside low level paths.

Conditions: A surprisingly hot, sunny and still day.

Pub: Badger Bar for Hawkshead Windermere Pale Ale.

Stone Arthur

An evening stroll after Chris and Chris' wedding whilst staying at the Travellers Rest.

Route: From the Travellers Rest, 100 yards down the road towards Grasmere and then turning left up a paved track before working up over a rough steep fields to a level track round into the Tongue Gill valley, after which there is a steep climb to the summit. Dropping down the path to the south and then informally off piste contouring back round the hillside to meet the outward path and thus back.

Conditions: A warm evening for the time of year.

Pub: Tweedies Bar for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Buttermere Beauty and Hesket Newmarket Loughrigg.

High Crag to Starling Dodd

A walk to mark the publication of Cicerone's Western Fells Fellranger.

Route: From the main Grasmere carpark to take a path between the Red Pike ascent path and the stroll round the lake, climbing gently into Burtness Combe and then steeply gaining the summit of High Crag via Sheepbone Rake. Along the ridge to High Style, Red Pike and Starling Dodd. Then descending north west to reach the summit of Gale Fell and a rough pathless descent to Scale Force and back to Grasmere.

Conditions: Still, some sun, but cool out of the sun.

Pub: The Fish at Grasmere for Sneck Lifter and a seasonal Hesket Newmarket beer.

The Scandale Horseshoe

A brisk walk on a cool March day.

Route: From the main Ambleside carpark to High Sweden Bridge and then onto Low Pike and High Pike keeping to the RHS of the ridge wall all the way. At a cairn before the summit of Dove crag, along a path to the prominent cairn at High Bakestones and then following the path down, under Little Hart Crag to the pass at Scandale. Up the long and fairly tedious ascent to Red Screes and then the fine descent back to Ambleside.

Conditions: Some sun but a cold wind. Hazy.

Pub: The Golden Rule at Ambleside for Double Hop and the seasonal Hannibal's Nectar.

Wansfell Pike

A short walk on a day of very low cloud with Ian Lyne.

Route: From the main Ambleside carpark via Lower and Low Gate and then the Old Lake Road to Skelghyll Lane and then the path towards Jenkins Crag, turning left uphill at Kelsick Scar to follow the path past the observatory and then, as before, round towards the back of the hill before climbing up to the summit. Down the direct path towards Stockghyll Force.

Conditions: A sudden fall of damp snow leaving the ground slippy; very low cloud.

Pub: The Watermill at Ings for Arran Squirrel and various Watermill beers.