Our January plans for a walk on Wild Boar Fell, were somewhat scuppered by the fact that our leader Ian Dyers reported snow up to his waist. 

Now Ian is a tall lad, so we thought discretion was the better part of velcro and decided even our gaiters wouldn't save us in those conditions and that something rather more tame would be needed at the last minute!

That's Lyth came to the rescue as we decided we could definitely self lead ourselves over this territory, known extremely well to most of us.  Most of the surrounding hills were covered in over three foot of snow but Whitbarrow looked in good condition so we set off on a rather icy but pleasant check of the route ready for our event in two weeks time.

Everyone enjoyed the fact we started the route in the middle - we're a bit like that - can't do anything by the book!  It meant we were not quite so tired when we arrived at George's house, although it was rather a shock to him to have us all turn up for breakfast rather than afternoon tea!

Gamblesmire Lane did turn out to be a gamble, with ice all the way a tea tray could have come in handy but we made it safely to the bottom (safely on the bottom in some cases!)

And as so often happens, we had good weather for both the marshal's and the actual event this year.  Thanks to everyone for coping with the last minute changes of plan.