A 10km circuit in Troutbeck

An icy run while everyone else was sledging!

Route: Leaving the car on the first left turn before the church at Troutbeck and running through the Limefitt caravan park, past its Haybarn Inn (!) and thus onto the bridleway towards the head of the valley on the eastern side. At the Tongue, taking the second footbridge (near the north end of the Tongue) to return on the bridleway to the farm at Troutbeck Park where the planned route was to pick up the valley bottom road. Sadly confused when harried by dogs went off piste on the west of the beck over walls (once sinking knee deep) to reach the road once it had crossed back over the pretty stone bridge. Then back to cross the main road near the Queen’s Head and run up and along through the village to drop back to the start.

Conditions: Snowy and icy under foot, sometimes treacherously so. Cold.

Pub: The Watermill at Ings for W’ruff Night and A Winter’s Tail.

Head of Kentmere run

A cold snowy run of 13-14km.

Route: Leaving the car by the side of the road just before the Waterfoot factory entrance and running along the road taking the Green Quarter turning and then along the road towards Brockstones and Hallow Bank and then descending to the valley floor to Overend where the road becomes a stony track to Tongue House. Then by a narrow grassy path, very muddy after the wet winter but partially frozen to reach the foot bridge just south of Kentmere Reservoir. Back along the bridleway, first down hill and then rising above Hartrigg, descending and rising again just before Kentmere. Then back along the road to the car.

Conditions: Low cloud and snow falling with a cool wind into our faces on the return.

Pub: Hawkshead Brewery for Hawkshead Red and WPA.

Blencathra via Hall's Fell

A stiff ascent on a wintry day with Ian Lyne.

Route: Leaving the car the Horse and Farrier and taking the path by the stream from the centre of Threlkeld, crossing the stream and then diagonally across very muddy fields to the foot of Hall's Fell. Ascending, initially sticking close to the top of the ridge but later allowing some diversions to the left to avoid greasy and slippy rocks (one ridge-top section taken à cheval). Reaching the top in snow and cloud with some ice under foot. Then along to the west to descend Blease Fell on a recently re-engineered path though still steep in places.

Conditions: Cloudy and cold with snow on the top, greasy rock and later snow under foot.

Pub: The Horse and Farrier at Threlkeld for Jennings Snecklifter.

10km run north of Ings

A 10km run onto the common between Hugill Fell and Sour Howes from Ings on tracks and muddy paths.

Route: From the pub at Ings, taking the small steep road to Grassgarth and beyond on a stony track before taking a slight right turn towards Kentmere. Then in very muddy conditions on level ground across the common to reach a junction of paths by Park Beck. Turning sharp right heading south east on a path, sometimes pitched, sometimes grass to descend into the Kentmere valley before turning right along a very muddy track just before the river at Ulthwaite Bridge. Then up the road climbing quite steeply back onto the hillside near Williamson's Monument becoming a gravel track again.Through Heights Farm and then right along a muddy bridleway (rather than left on a road), and another right to descend, at little more than walking pace, a very rocky track then to rejoin the outward route half a mile from Ings.

Conditions: Cloudy and a brief shower but mild for November. Very wet under foot.

Pub: The Watermill at Ings for Watermill Wruff night and Eden Gold.

Wansfell Pike

A short walk in dramatic, fast-changing conditions with Angie, Alistair and Jake.

Route: From the lower Ambleside car park, through town and via Stock Ghyll Force to the main western path to the top (quite busy). Down the southern ridge via the observatory (not meeting a soul) and back.

Conditions: Initial low cloud, occasional heavy bursts of rain and even a snow shower on the top - but not the forecast lightning!

Pub: Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall for NZPA, WPA, Cumbria Five Hop, Drystone Stout and a mug of tea!

The Downland Run

An organised 10 mile run with Steve Mitchell (and 200 others).

Route: From the meadow near the Motor Road approach to the old Lewes Race Course near Wallands School, running first downhill, round a marker and then back, past the start, to climb onto the ridge of the Downs. Along some narrow paths past Mount Harry, Blackcap and onto Plumpton Plain. Descending a spur  to the south and then up the other side before a level run followed by another descent into trees and a slow and muddy climb out of Aschombe Bottom before returning on a line just to the north of the outward route.

Conditions: Sunny and surprisingly warm for October.

Pub: No pub! Lunch chez Steve and Alison and then later, on the way home, a Black Star pale ale at the Euston Tap.

Harrison Stickle

A short steep ascent with JPS.

Route: From the National Trust carpark, the path out and trending left to rise to a low spur and then right along that past a bench to a style. Not crossing the Dungeon Ghyll but ascending on a discreet pitched path up and round Pike Howe and then to the right of the gorge to climb behind Harrison Stickle and thence to the summit. Descending on the path below Loft Crag.

Conditions: Cloudy and a cold breeze.

Pub: the Stickle Barn for Coniston Bluebird.