Freedom of the hills

Hills Climbed: Bowfell, Esk Pike, Scafell Pike, Rossett Pike

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When the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) gives a better than 90% chance of cloud free hills and no rain, you take the chance to get a good day out. Whilst driving up, I realised that this would be the first day (winter walks excluded) that I had walked on my own since completing the Wainwrights and wondered what impact that would have on my day. I was pleasantly surprised as to the freedom that being unconstrained by the list gave me, allowing me to wander off course on a whim (I saw a few crags I fancied a gentle scramble on) or to change my plan, almost on the flip of a coin. This started straight from the car with me deciding that I would ascend the "Band" to Bowfell and on to Esk Pike, rather than via Rossett Pike, in order to get to Esk Hause.

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The route from the Hause to Scafell Pike featured on one of my first ever walks with my friend Paul and I have memories of a long slog to the summit, constantly loosing and gaining height. It is perhaps testament to my improved fitness that when faced with the same obstacles, I raced up them without pause. I retraced my steps and descended by Rossett pike, completing a 13 mile walk in great weather. The photos firstly show the Scafells from Bowfell, (You do occasionally get a view from there Paul) and Crinkle Crags from the Langdale Valley.