Seat Sandal, Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike & Helvellyn

Parking at one of my usual places on the layby near to Grasmere on the busy A591, I set off and followed the path alongside Tongue Gill up to Grisedale Hause a familiar route for C2C walkers. Turning left at the hause and following the loose scree path up the short, but sometimes steep, route up to the summit of Seat Sandal.

After a lunch break by the tarn in the winter sun - I headed up to the top of Dollywaggon Pike and then Nethermost Pike before heading over to Helvellyn. Once the climb has been done up to Dollywaggon, the very wide ridge is easy walking with excellent all round views.

Today was extra special, as I enjoyed watching my first ever cloud inversion. Cloud inversions happen when you get that magic combination of cold temperatures and high pressure. It’s not uncommon in winter but I'd never been lucky enough to have been above one. Having been walking in the lakes for many years, I'd heard about them, seen photo's of them - but today was the day I broke my duck and finally saw one !!

After all the excitement it was back down to Swirls via Browncove Crags and then a long hike back to the car along Dunmail Raise.