From Camping Pod near Scales, onto Souther Fell which was fully of groups of people and families, over to Low Beckside and Mungrisdale. You have to go off the east side of Souther Fell as it's private land between the end of the fell and Mungrisedale, although we did see people jumping the fence :(. Walked up the valley, under (The Tongue), slabs of rock with solid ice over the top and water running underneath, made the ascent interesting. Saw people walking up onto the fell with very minimal kit (jackets tied round waist, no bag). Ascending on to the ridge boggy and cloud closing in, quick run up to Bowscale fell then a blast across to Bannerdale crag with a bit of compass work from gaining the ridge as the cloud descended and spindrift blew up so needed it to get onto Bowscale, but when on top the mist clear for a fab view then descended as we made our way to Bannderdale. The two girls were at the boggy bit with us but didn't do the dog leg to Bannderdale, we caught up with them as they trudged close to the edge of the cornice above significant cliffs, but then followed in our footsteps, thankfully well away from the edge. Top fairly uninteresting, views good, Descended to the coll then picked up the track that skirted under blencathra, very atmospheric and avoided the descent and then ascent by going under Bannerdale. Able to gain the ridge again then descent via the edge of Souther fell to the camping pod. Walked from the coll to the pod in darkness. Full winter condition. 17.5 km 6 hrs 20 mins. With James. Returned to pod, picked up a wifi signal and realised Cumbria is now in Tier 4 and home in tier 3, having arrived in a tier 2 from a tier 2 on the 29th! Home time
Area :Northern Fells
Generally this is the area to the north of the A66 which runs from Penrith to Cockermouth and the town of Keswick.
From Camping Pod near Scales, onto Souther Fell which was fully of groups of people and families, over to Low Beckside and Mungrisdale. You have to go off the east side of Souther Fell as it's private land between the end of the fell and Mungrisedale, although we did see people jumping the fence :(. Walked up the valley, under (The Tongue), slabs of rock with solid ice over the top and water running underneath, made the ascent interesting. Saw people walking up onto the fell with very minimal kit (jackets tied round waist, no bag). Ascending on to the ridge boggy and cloud closing in, quick run up to Bowscale fell then a blast across to Bannerdale crag with a bit of compass work from gaining the ridge as the cloud descended and spindrift blew up so needed it to get onto Bowscale, but when on top the mist clear for a fab view then descended as we made our way to Bannderdale. The two girls were at the boggy bit with us but didn't do the dog leg to Bannderdale, we caught up with them as they trudged close to the edge of the cornice above significant cliffs, but then followed in our footsteps, thankfully well away from the edge. Top fairly uninteresting, views good, Descended to the coll then picked up the track that skirted under blencathra, very atmospheric and avoided the descent and then ascent by going under Bannerdale. Able to gain the ridge again then descent via the edge of Souther fell to the camping pod. Walked from the coll to the pod in darkness. 
