Seat Sandal, Dollywaggon Pike & Nethermost Pike

Parked up at the top of Dunmail Raise - loads of space as I think there was only one other car there.

There's our way up - Raise Beck. That will take us all the way up to Grisedale Tarn.

Looking all the way back down Raise Beck, Steel Fell can be seen on the other side of Dunmail Raise.

There was a lot of ice on the paths as we got higher up, this caused many a deviation to the right or left to avoid the hazard. Nothing too problematic, but a lot of watching your feet.

Upon reaching the old fence line it was a right turn and the start of the Seat Sandal climb proper.

A look back down the path and the Southern side of Dollywaggon Pike can be seen.

Another Wainwright bagged ! Someone is happy.

A look southwards from the summit - Grasmere is down there, hidden underneath the low mist.

A careful descent down the frozen ground of Seat Sandal, with Fairfield across the other side of Grisedale Hause.

Lunch in the sun with lovely views over Grisedale Tarn and our recently climbed Seat Sandal.

Fairfield and Cofa Pike.

The very clear path which goes all the way to Helvellyn. Unfortunately I failed to turn right at the first cairn and we carried on chatting for a hundred metres or so without realising, so we had to do a slight out and back to make sure we visited the summit of Dollywaggon Pike. It did make sure though that I maintained my 100% record of always going wrong somewhere on a walk - Much, I have to admit, to the pleasure of everyone else I walk with.

Dollywaggon Pike summit with views over to Nethermost Pike and with Helvellyn just seen in the distance.

The enjoyable wide ridge walk around part of the Helvellyn massif - 'Respect'

Always happy when walking in the sun and snow.

The flat summit arena of Nethermost Pike.

After visiting Nethermost Pike, we picked up the path that heads down to Wythburn via Comb Gill.

At Comb Crag, Thirlmere comes into view.

As with all good and experienced fell walkers, we were fully prepared for today's frozen conditions as we had both packed our micro-spikes. Unfortunately, being a tad on the dozy side, we both didn't actually bother to put them on. The result was a 2-2 'Desmond' draw in falls. Will we ever learn !

Looking over to the orangey brown bracken covered Whelp Side, on the flank of Helvellyn.

Sunsetting over the Wythburn Fells and Ullscarf.

Finally we reach level ground after a long descent from Nethermost Pike.

Steel Fell can be seen on our right as we stroll back in the direction of our car at Dunmail Raise and decide on which pub we should pay a visit to before heading for home across the Pennines.

Still chatting, we somehow managed to miss this sign advising us which way to go. There's so few signpost in the Lake District that it's typical that we should walk right past it - but we did ! No damage done, apart from to my reputation as always.