Todays permitted exercise!

[Mike T]

10.6 miles, 3,133 feet, 3 hours 36 minutes: Wansfell Pike twice - the first time via Stagshaw Gardens, the Champion Tree Trail, Skelghyll Wood, and the 3 way junction; then along the ridge to the true top and Baystones, down to the upper part of Nanny Lane, and up to the Pike the second time; finally descending via the 3 way junction, Blue Hill Woods/Lane and Stock Ghyll Lane. Sunshine, blue sky and high clouds - mainly of the streaky variety. A lovely cool breeze from the north east. Terrain dry/hard/good grip. Not many walkers about; no runners seen.
I have never known the Wansfell ridge to be so dry - you would have to try really hard to get your shoes wet.

[Mike T]

10.33 miles, 2,978 feet, 3 hours 40 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including down the race route from the top to the road at High Close and back up again. Sunshine, blue sky, and a few high fluffy and streaky clouds. No rain. A cold breeze from the north east, refreshing at times, too cold at others. Terrain dry/hard/good grip. Not many walkers about, though there was a large school group; 4 runners seen.
The bracken is now making many paths unpleasant.
I only recently learnt where the Loughrigg owl tree hole is - and today the owl was there!

[Mike T]

14.36 miles, 2,574 feet, 4 hours 12 minutes: Ambleside to Lingmoor Fell top and back, going via Rothay Bridge, Clappersgate, Bog Lane, Skelwith Fold, Skelwith Bridge, Low Park, High Park, Stang End and Dale End both ways. Sunshine, blue sky, high clouds. No rain. An intermittent breeze from various directions - very refreshing. Terrain dry/hard/good grip. Very few people about; 1 runner seen.
Dale End Farm has home cakes and hot drinks available right next to the track, and all day parking for a fiver. High Park has a nicely situated tea area, but an aggressive dog, albeit on a long lead, was very off putting.

[Mike T]

10.25 miles, 3,094 feet, 3 hours 35 minutes: Wansfell Pike twice, ascending via Stagshaw Gardens, Skelghyll Wood and the 3 way junction, then going down to the upper part of Nanny Lane, up to the true top and Baystones, and back along the ridge to the Pike, finally descending via the 3 way junction, Blue Hill Woods/Lane and Stock Ghyll Lane. Overcast with cloud base at about 1,200 feet; rather misty below that. More or less constant drizzle/light rain. A cold strong wind from the south west. Terrain wet, though the grip was OK. Very few walkers on the fell, though town was busy; no runners seen.

[Mike T]

10.03 miles, 3,221 feet, 3 hours 26 minutes: Wansfell Pike twice, initially via Stagshaw Gardens, Skelghyll Wood and the 3 way junction, then along the ridge to the true top and Baystones, down to the upper part of Nanny Lane, back up to the Pike, and down via the 3 way junction, Blue Hill Woods/Lane and Stock Ghyll Lane. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,400 feet. Intermittent drizzle/light to moderate rain. That strong cold blustery wind from the south west is still there. Terrain wet and slippery in places, mainly the rocks. Not many walkers about, though the car parks and roads are busy. 3 runners seen.
All over waterproofs and gloves were most welcome today.

[Mike T]

11.75 miles, 3,033 feet, 4 hours 6 minutes: Loughrigg trails. Overcast, with the cloud base varying between 1,500 and 2,500 feet. Intermittent drizzle/light rain. A moderate breeze from the south west. Terrain wet/saturated/slippery. Quite a few walkers about; 3 runners seen.
Two cuckoos heard. The bracken, despite not being that tall, has in many places fallen over in the wind and the rain, making it a real nuisance.

[Mike T]

10.24 miles, 3,113 feet, 3 hours 34 minutes: Wansfell Pike twice, initially ascending via Stagshaw Gardens, Skelghyll Wood, and the 3 way junction, then along the ridge to the true top and Baystones, down to the upper part of Nanny Lane, back up to the Pike, finally down via the 3 way junction, Blue Hill Woods/lane and Stock Ghyll Lane. Lots of clouds, mainly above the high tops; some sunshine/blue sky. No rain. A moderate breeze from the south west. Terrain damp/wet/saturated and slippery in places. Lots of walkers on the fell - there were about 20 on the Pike on my second visit. 3 runners seen; 1 cuckoo heard.

[mr brightside]

10.03 miles, 3,221 feet, 3 hours 26 minutes: Wansfell Pike twice, initially via Stagshaw Gardens, Skelghyll Wood and the 3 way junction, then along the ridge to the true top and Baystones, down to the upper part of Nanny Lane, back up to the Pike, and down via the 3 way junction, Blue Hill Woods/Lane and Stock Ghyll Lane. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,400 feet. Intermittent drizzle/light to moderate rain. That strong cold blustery wind from the south west is still there. Terrain wet and slippery in places, mainly the rocks. Not many walkers about, though the car parks and roads are busy. 3 runners seen.
All over waterproofs and gloves were most welcome today.

What's your 2025 recommendation for a waterproof good for a few hours of heavy rain, Mike?

[Mike T]

10.65 miles, 3,098 feet, 3 hours 46 minutes: Loughrigg trails. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 1,000 feet initially - rather higher later. Drizzle/light rain for the first 2 hours, then it ceased. A strong blustery wind from the west. Terrain wet/saturated/streaming/slippery. Very few walkers about; 2 runners seen.

[Mike T]

My go to top for really wet days is my Ron Hill/Mountain Equipment Shake-dry, but they no longer make them. I have a couple of old Inov-8 tops hat do a pretty good job. I wear my OMM Kamleika when it is really cold and windy, but not when it is wet as it absorbs water like a sponge and becomes really heavy. You should be able to a good deal on an Inov-8 top.