With a very good forecast for Saturday Lauren, Penny and I made a plan to head up Middle Fell. The pager had other ideas and just before we were ready to leave I was called out to attend a collapsed man on Dent. However, the RAF were quick to pick him up and after a short delay we were heading to Wasdale now with Bob as well.

It was a beautifully still day with snow from around 400m. The south facing slopes of Middle Fell were not frozen and we steadily headed up the ridge towards the summit. Bob wasn’t chatting as much as the rest of us and mananged to get ahead. Meanwhile Ryan took the opportunity to catch up on some sleep on my back. The views up the valley towards Scafell and Scafell Pike were excellent and with low temperatures forcast for the whole week the snow should be well-consolidated by next weekend.

Ryan woke up briefly on the summit for a photo and then snored gently on the descent. There was a slight difference in opinion on the best route down, Lauren wanted to complete the circuit and descend via Greendale Tarn and Bob wanted to retrace our route of assent. Penny and I had the deciding vote and went with Bob, not wanting to push it with Ryan and making sure we had time for a pint at the Horse and Groom.