Today, we set off early for Grasmere to beat the fair-weather cloud that was expected from noon onwards. Our windscreen was frosted over first thing, and there was a nice, cold northerly wind on the tops.
Our route from Grasmere, although only around 5.5 miles, took us up to Silver How via Allan Bank and across Wray Gill. After visiting the tops of Lang How and Swinescar Pike, we then descended via Blindtarn Gill and the valley of Easedale.
Sadly, yet again, we came across another firepit, this time on the summit of Silver How, which took some time to clear away. Most of the rocks, which had been taken from the summit cairn, were covered in melted plastic of some sort. The pit itself contained plastics, cans and vapes.
There are clear signs that the milder weather due to the El Niño is delaying much of the autumn colour, with some patches of bracken on the fell sides and trees in the valleys still holding on to their summer green. Hopefully, things will change very soon, and Lakeland will once more be at its very best.
