Simply a Privilege
There are many times I've stood on a mountain top with eyes wide open, pupils dilated and a smile extending from ear to ear. For times like this is why we do it, why we get up at those ridiculous hours, travel great distance, scale mountains in the dark, brave all weather conditions thrown at us.....for moments of fleeting beauty. Moments not witnessed by the masses, the peace, the quiet, the world waking in a glorious explosion of colour and texture. Over the advancing years I've been incredibly lucky to see the sights I've seen, yes I've had to make the effort to enjoy these as they don't necessarily come easily but I'm grateful I have the ability to do so. Life gets in the way of course and I'm not always able to do what I love, but that just sharpens and focuses my desire to get out enjoy and appreciate it... because sadly its non infinite. While all times out should be enjoyed, there are some occasions when our expectations are exceeded and we are presented with a moment of pure magic. A moment in time when you just have to slow down, stop and just drink it all in. Last week I had the pleasure to spend, possibly, the best morning I've had out on the fells. In all honesty it was simply a privilege to be out.
Great End Pre Dawn Glow - Magical Scenes looking over the Northern Fells
The first snow of the season had hit the UK and as I usually do....sit at work with a right grumpy look on my face wishing I was elsewhere. The conditions looked absolutely stunning and I was itching to get out. Sadly I couldn't get out of work on the Wednesday or Thursday and with the weekend looking less than favourable my only option was Friday. A good few days after the initial snowfall but beggars can't be choosers and I just hoped the snow wouldn't have receded too much. Having not been out for a good month due to family issues, I decided it had to be somewhere epic and really there was only one choice and that was Great End. A view I've always wanted to to shoot in the snow and while there may not been huge amounts hopefully enough to get some nice images. Anyway too much snow would have made the 5 mile hike really quite arduous (he says but doesn't really mean). The weather conditions where looking really favourable with low winds, high chance of cloud free summits and a touch of cloud as well.....combined with the snow and it had, on paper, all the ingredients for a great morning. However as we all know it doesn't always turn out this way.
Great End - Winter Warming. The morning sun gently warms the Northern Fells
Its a long old hike up to Great End and I decided to allow myself plenty of time, especially if it's going to be icy and deep snow in places. I arrived at Langdale around 5am and set off about 5.10am. I wanted to get up to Esk Hause by around 7am to meet up with my good friend Ross Davidson. From Esk Hause its another 30 minutes to the summit. The first 2 miles are a lengthy trudge through the Mickleden Valley. A bit mind numbing but you can make up good time as its flat and well pathed for the most part. There was little sign of snow at this point but I still had hope. Once through the valley is a really steep pull up Rossett Gill, always for me the hardest part of the walk. As soon as I started the ascent I hit the snow line and the going became a little slower, with plenty of icy patches. I reached the top of Rossett Gill at around 6.30am with a lot of huffing and puffing. You then have to make the soul destroying descent to Angle Tarn before a steep re ascent up to Esk Hause, more up and down than a pogo stick. It was at this point that I realised there was going to be no shortage of snow. Standing at Angle Tarn in the ambient pre dawn light and looking up was like being in a huge amphitheatre of towering mountains and snow capped peaks....it looked sensational. However with time firmly against me I had to press on....especially with Great End now firmly in my sights.
Great End - Winter Blues. The cool winter tones in full voice after golden hour departs.
Throw Some Shapes - The snow emphasising some amazing shapes in these foreground rocks.
The going was now incredibly slow and energy sapping. The snow was becoming deeper and the path buried beneath. Having not done a decent hike for many months I was certainly feeling it and my legs felt like led. Amazingly I got to Esk Hause on time and a little out of puff. Met Ross and we continued on to the final push. Esk Hause is a superb view point, a high level cross roads that offers wonderful views in all directions. Its at this point the views really open up and tantalised our taste buds....I think we both knew at this point we in for a good morning. Ross headed on to Broad Crag and I turned right to Great End, with the plan of meeting later. I trudged up to the summit and then made the walk to the Northern end of the fell, my weary mind gripped with nervous anticipation ...and like a opening of the curtains at a Theatre....the view is revealed in all its wintery splendour. Well I can honestly say that I've never been more in awe of a view for a very very long time. Its was breathtaking. The pre sunrise glow surrounded me and reflected beautifully off the twinkly snow. The sky was boasting an enormous Belt of Venus with vibrant pink and blue hues that spanned from the West to the North. The cold silence and anticipation of what was to follow filled the air and I just stood and waited....my eyes which where as first like pin holes replaced with wide open wonder and excitement.
Mickleden Beck - Winter Flow. A shot I've had in mind for a while and a welcome break from hiking.
The view, well what can I say, its already one of my favourites but this was like something else...other worldly maybe but at least more Norwegian than Lake District. Snow is always a gift from Mother Nature, a little reward for our endeavours. I've been besotted with this view since my first visit and I've been up multiple times to get that elusive perfect image. This one may come close. In reality I didn't take many images on the day, but I didn't need to, it was all about the experience and for once not running around like a lunatic trying to get hundreds of shots. It was relaxed, a feast for my senses and I just gave into the landscape and enjoyed it. A hectic shoot would have taken away from the grandeur of the moment. It would have been down right rude to negate. So there I stood, motionless in simple incredulous awe. After around an hour or so I met back up with Ross and spent a few hours with him enjoying the conditions and putting the world to rights. It was then time to head home as the forecasted low cloud started to cover the higher fell tops..a wrench, yes, but it would be a long trudge back. A brief stop as Mickleden Beck to explore a scene I'd had in my mind for a while and a time to give my back rest and finally back to the car. Around 11-12 miles covered, exhausted but elated, the adrenaline still surging through my weary body. We all dream of experiences like this and my dream had indeed come true. We don't often get these moments and they are to be savoured. It was simply a privilege to be there, just me, just my favourite view and winters gentle touch. The best day ever.