The high fells of the Lake District are transformed into serious mountains in winter as temperatures plummet, snows fall and daylight hours dwindle. However, with a winter coat, the fells look all the more impressive and a day spent in their company feels all the more wild. On Saturday February 12th, Tristan and I set off from Seathwaite towards Styhead Tarn with a view to climbing Great Gable, possibly the most visually arresting peak in the Lakes. One of the main draws was the view from its summit across the Scafells and Wasdale.

 

But on the day in question the high fells were shrouded in thick, wintery clouds and we decided to deviate to a frozen Sprinkling Tarn and traverse to Seathwaite Fell. It was an atmospheric hike through a windswept, frozen landscape to the icy domain of the summit cairn. There were no sweeping views of Borrowdale to be had but nevertheless the sense of adventure was undiminished. Regardless of all else, it was another Wainwright Peak ticked off.