The last thing we expected to see when we got in the car half an hour earlier was cloud on the summits, but the Crinkles are well and truly hidden from view.

Thankfully the summit of The Band, our main target for today, is clear of cloud.

Looking back along Great Langdale and the route we had followed from the car park.

Looking across to Side Pike. The last time we had stood here we still had to go up the path over the shoulder of Side Pike to get back to the car at Blea Tarn, it felt a long way back to the car that day.

The Langdale Pikes and Mickleden.

Once through Stool End Farm we pick up the path up The Band and soon find ourselves at the seat by the fell wall.

We pause to admire the view across to the Langdale Pikes but it is too early for a break so we don't make any use of the seat and instead continue with our ascent.

Looking down on Great Langdale as we make a steady ascent.

When we aren't watching where our feet our going we can also watch the Crinkles as they emerge from the cloud, which is slowly burning off as the heat rises.

The scene is constantly changing as more of the higher fell tops come into view.

We have to divert off the main track to gain our main target for today, the Birkett summit of White Stones on The Band.

The view down Great Langdale from White Stones.

Across form White Stones the Langdale Pikes now have cloud on some of their summits. In the distance the summit of High Raise is also covered by the cloud.

From White Stones we can also look across Martcrag Moor to Sergeant's Crag and a distant Skiddaw, amongst other fells.

Returning to the main path we can once again enjoy an ever improving view of the Crinkle Crags.

As Bowfell comes into view we decide to pause for a break and once again venture away from the path to enjoy the extensive view north.

We also have time to admire the Pike of Stickle and Loft Crag across Mickleden.

As we sit we keep looking back at Bowfell, which is drifting in and out of the cloud.

As we sit enjoying the sunshine I assess our planned route down from tomorrow's walk via Stake Pass and Mickleden. It looks perfectly doable, which is always a good sign. It's just a shame that whilst I had the binoculars out I didn't also check out the path from High Raise.

As we watch people making their way up to Bowfell we debate if our planned route is a good idea given this is our first walk in the Lakes for nearly a year. Once we are up at the col below Bowfell the route is one we have covered before and we are under no illusion as to how long it is.

Bowfell is now clear of cloud but having mulled things over we opt not to head up to the col, but instead to return via The Band and make sure our legs will be up to tomorrow's walk on the Langdale Pikes.

Pike of Blisco and Wetherlam from the descent.

As we make our way down The Band the Crinkle Crags finally start to fully emerge from the cloud.

This time we stick to the path and don't visit White Stones.

Lingmoor Fell seen across Oxendale.

Once we pass through the fell wall, where the seat is located, we settle down for lunch. We pass on using the seat and instead choose a spot where we can enjoy the view down Great Langdale. It also has the advantage of keeping us away from anyone passing through the gate.

Lunch over we soon find ourselves back on the track towards the Old Dungeon Ghyll.

Pausing to admire the view down Mickleden to Rossett Pike. Seeing as we are on holiday we really should play our part in helping the economy recover so we are definitely stopping for a pint on our way back to the car. In fact seeing as we are stopping above the Wainwright Inn we might even have another when we get back, after all what else can we do whilst our dinner is in the oven.

 

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