Wednesday 20th Nov saw me and my lonesome self driving up to the top of Wrynrose pass with the intention of walking over to Wetherlam via Swirl How. I was informed by the MWIS forecast that summit temperatures would be around 0 degress but with winds blowing at a constant 35 to 45mph and gusts expected to be in the region of 65mph the windchill was predicted to be anywhere in the region of minus 19 to minus 27........brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
Any way caution thrown to that very wind and off I went. The approach to the summit of Great Carrs found me somewhat protected from the wind by walking on the lee slope. As I approached the summit I was glad to meet the thin veneer of frozen hail and then, SUDDENLY, BANG, ALMIGHTY TREE FELLING, DEAFENING, BANGING, GUSTING, WINTER FROZEN, ANGRY WIND, JESUS CHRIST!!!!
And so it went on, kindly keeping me company, reminding me who was boss for the rest of the day. Great Carrs came and went and I was met, only fleetingly, with confused little fox who simply stopped a moment or two and stared at me, thinking I must be mad before trotting off into the never. Swirl How summit afforded the opportunity to get the camera out for some shaky windy shots of the Scafell group, cloaked in glittering sun and snow, stunning.
Wetherlam soon arrived but not without a a hard crosswind struggle to get there. Moments, only moments were spent on the top due to the penetrating chill of that wind before quickly dropping a serious amount of height to get out of the wind and back to the car. 1st winter day for me this season and what an opener.
Brief respite from the wind behind a welcome rock
