Heavy rain and high winds made both the proposed route over the Helvellyn massif and Rosemary’s bad weather alternative impractical. Not to be put off five of us circumnavigated Place Fell in an attempt to salvage something from the day. The route north on the lakeside path was just about bearable with rain and wind on our backs before we took an early lunch behind a rare sheltering wall.
A brief weather window allowed us to cross Boredale Hause in relative comfort but further precipitation saw us scuttling for home with thoughts of an extending loop to the day quickly abandoned. Four hours and 10 miles may only be half the normal outing but it certainly felt like more!
We plan to put the original walk on again soon - hopefully the weather will be kinder next time.