Thursday 1st Jan 2009, Fairfield Horseshoe

Happy New Year, we started 2009 with one of the Classic Lakeland Ridge walks in cold but clear conditions. I was out with Chris, from St Annes, today on one of our guided walks.

The route started in Rydal near the Church from where we climbed steeply up the path to the summit of our first top The Nab. We had started early and enjoyed watching the sun rise over Ambleside and the frozen valley below.

Once on the ridge the walking was easy on the frozen turf and we soon reached Heron Pike and Great Rigg. A short walk took us to the summit of Fairfield and a well earned stop for a brew. A few other walkers began to appear from different routes to join us on the summit but it was much quieter than a few days ago.

After a short break we headed across the plateau towards Hart Crag and Dove Crag. From this point we followed the line of the old wall along the ridge towards High Pike and Low Pike before descending to the Old Coffin Road and an easy walk back to the cars at Rydal Hall.

Another wonderful day for walking in the Lakes.