The past week and a bit have been pretty special up here in the Lake District. It all started a couple of days after new year, with falling temperatures and the ground starting to freeze.
Bowfell and the Scafell range from Swirl How.
This was then followed by a big dump of snow and then the best part of a week of very cold temperatures, not really getting above freezing for days on end.
Towards the end of the day, on the summit of Great End, looking towards Scafell Pike.
As a result, over that week, we were blessed with snow and ice, mist and fog, and some beautiful light to boot. The beginning of this cold period coincided with some days off work for my wife and I, and thus the chance to get out into the hills of the Lake District, where we live. Two consecutive big mountain days - one in the Scafell range and another in the Coniston range were a real treat.
Trees, mist, mountains and snow, with a bit of nice light thrown in for good measure - the dream combination.
The snow that followed fell over a weekend, and then the start of super-cold, crisp and clear conditions coincided with the return to work sadly. However, the location of my home means that I’m able to get out onto smaller hills very easily, and have the summit of Latterbarrow within a 30-35 minute walk. As a result, I am able to get a quick photography-fix around sunrise, and get back to my desk in time to start work at the usual time.
Trees, frost and mist - I was like a kid in a sweet shop.
The higher peaks visible from Latterbarrow, as well as the surrounding trees and forests are a paradise for me. This combination, coupled with some great light and a bit of fog and mist for good measure, really led to a special few days.
‘Standing together’.
Being on Latterbarrow, or somewhere else similar for sunrise four days on the bounce, as well as doing full days of work was pretty tiring, but I kept telling myself that I couldn’t let this opportunity pass. The winters in the north-west of the UK are often characterised by damp, grey conditions, so this spell of magical weather had to be grasped. I’m very pleased that I did.
The Fairfield Horseshoe from the summit of Latterbarrow, just before sunrise.
Towards the end of the week, the forecast was that the last day of these winter conditions would be on the Saturday, before things started to warm up. My wife and I were due to attend an old friend’s 50th birthday celebration on the Saturday evening, but we decided that with another early start, we could squeeze in one last big mountain day in these magical conditions. Parking in Ambleside for the famous Fairfield Horseshoe is just a 10 minute drive from us, so an early start saw us up on the ridge for some truly spectacular light.
Light on distant mountains.
The night before, I had hesitated about bringing my 100-400mm lens. It’s a bit of a beast, and we had wanted to move quickly. However, I’m so glad I did. This lens (in the Nikon Z range) is just spectacular. Everytime I use it I am blown away by its quality. The detail is just wonderful, and coupled with the Nikon Z7ii, it really allowed me to capture the atmosphere of what I was seeing and feeling.
Bowfell, from the western limb of the Fairfield Horseshoe.
It was pretty special to be up there, witnessing all this, and I’m pleased with the images that I managed to take too.
Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, the Scafell range and Great End, from the western limb of the Fairfield Horseshoe.
Writing this now, a couple of days later, I am looking out the window at a very wet and grey view. I’m so pleased to have been able to capitalise on these great conditions.