Dec 2014 – Ascent from Glenridding. Another gorgeous day so I drove to Ullswater for the ascent. The climb up Mires Beck to Birkhouse Moor was great and, on the summit, I met a chap from Yorkshire and shared many mountain tales as we crossed to the Hole in the Wall and up onto the Edge. Crampons were on by now and there were many without them turning back. First time for me tackling Striding Edge in snow and it was fabulous with moody, swirling clouds providing atmosphere and a Brocken spectre tracking me above Swirral Edge! Ice axe was needed on the scramble to the summit where I had lunch. Here, my Yorkshire buddy and I parted company. On the crossing over Lower Man and Whiteside towards Raise I saw another two Brocken spectres! The descent via Sticks Pass was great, passing through the remains of the Greenside Lead Mines.