Dec 2022 - Ascent from Swirls. Left Southampton just after 3am for the drive north to the Lakes. Had a couple of kips on the way. Decided not to go up and across at Penrith, but instead entered the south Lakes at J36 and instantly it was a snowy skidfest dangertown with some early casualties i.e., cars in hedges with some shivering occupants standing nearby. Picked my way through Windermere and Ambleside and eventually made it over Dunmail Raise to the start point. Much of the way was just tyre tracks with snow in between, scraping the bottom of the car. Unexpected after the motorway but entertaining. The walk itself was enjoyable. First was the usual steep ascent up to and around Browncove Crags with great views retrospectively over Thirlmere and over to Bassenthwaite with Skiddaw and Blencathra reigning supreme. The final gentler mile or so to the summit was bitterly cold and this was the way it stayed so I kept on the move. It clearly briefly at the summit shelter and then things improved so I decided to lengthen the walk, taking in Whiteside and Raise. Red Tarn stayed obstinately out of sight but there were some great views across to Catstycam and down to Ullswater. Not many people had headed this way, if any, and the snow was knee-deep in places. Descended via the Sticks Pass before the tedious and dangerous road route back to the start point (I spent most of this final mile and a half in adjacent fields), given the earlier stricken cars I’d witnessed.