My top 10 mountain images from recent years

As the title suggests, some images from memorable camps in and around the Peak District, Wales, Lake District and Scotland, each with a brief description (and in no particular order).

2020 hasn't been great for getting outdoors but the time I have spent there I've really cherished.

Kinder Scout (Peak District)

I remember a mad dash home, quick shower, and another mad dash through midday traffic to park up in Hayfield mid afternoon. As I made my way up Kinder Low End I lost my race against sunset and pitched my tent in dusky conditions. It got down to -5 during the night (though I slept soundly) and the sunrise next morning was spectacular making the previous day's effort well worth it.

Chrome Hill (Peak District)

This unique limestone reef in the Peak District has a tendency to reward with some delightful misty scenes and the sheep nearby just topped off a splendid morning.

Drum (Wales)

After a sweaty yomp up the valley I got to camp just after sunset and as I was pitching my tent I realised with utter dismay that I'd forgotten to buy some milk from the services, black tea or coffee it is then..

I went out later that night to get some shots of the tent and clear sky and noticed a slight green tinge on the horizon, at first I was convinced it was light pollution but it became apparent that it wasn't, and after so many close calls with the Northern Lights I'd finally caught a glimpse of them.

Glasgym (Wales)

There's something amazing about inversions, it's like another layer of separation between the camper up high and bustling civilisation below, making the solitude even sweeter.

Skiddaw (Lake District)

The walk up was incredibly foggy and the views were almost non-existent, I pitched my tent away from the summit and happened to look out by chance when this awesome scene was unfolding in front of me, it didn't last long but what a view it was.

Pillar (Lake District)

The day was pretty brutal, a long knackering plod with lots of ascent, numerous Wainwrights and minimal chance to hydrate, I contemplated stopping way before the summit but continued on out of stubbornness, (and I'm so glad that I did).

Kirk Fell (Lake District)

One of my favourite parts of the Lake District and after a clear frosty night I remember looking over to the High Stile ridge and feeling so small and insignificant, very humbling.

Dollywaggon Pike (Lake District)

Some beautiful morning colours on Helvellyn from my vantage point on Dollywaggon Pike, I rarely use the zoom for photos but I really like how this one turned out.

Great End (Lake District)

A mind-blowing sunset seen from the summit, the colour in the valley got so incredibly red shortly after, and I've yet to better it since.

Mullach nan Coirean (Scotland)

Mist hung around the tops till midday and I set off late, making my own pathless route up to the summit.

That night was one of the stillest/quietest I've ever experienced, not a breath of wind and a beautifully clear sky with amazing views to Ben Nevis and the rest of the Mamores, unfortunately a check of the forecast revealed 50-60mph gusts incoming very early the next morning, I never slept and packed up at 02:00 to descend the mountain and had a brutal walk all the way back to the car.

Kinder Scout Wild Camp 7/12/14

Map of route: http://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_3980945.html

On the drive there I was wondering how much snow there would be and how good Kinder Reservoir would look with a snowy backdrop, I was like a child on Christmas morning looking forward to my first snowy Wildcamp!

I arrived at 12 o' clock to absolutely no snow at all, I was gutted and cursed myself for taking the forecast as gospel, nevertheless I set off up Kinder Road towards the reservoir.

Just before I crossed over the River Kinder it started to rain, I quickly packed my camera and lenses into dry bags and donned my waterproof overtrousers.
The rain quickly turned into hail and I plodded up the cobbled path beside the reservoir.

A storm crossing behind Kinder Reservoir.

The downpour quickly subsided but I could see another storm hitting Kinder in the distance as I skirted the familiar path overlooking the reservoir.

The lack of snow showed some fantastic pastel shades of the surrounding vegetation, every cloud and all that..!

Looking up to Sandy Heys.

After rounding the reservoir I crossed over the footbridge and meandered towards Blackshaws, the sun was now out and bathed the surrounding areas in a warming light.

Looking over to Leygatehead Moor.

I struggled on up Broad Clough while a fell runner cheerily passed me and disappeared into the distance.

My energy levels were dropping so I munched on a couple of fig bars without any pause of my slow progress.

As I rejoined the main path heading South the gradient relaxed and I could see storms battering hills over to the West.

My easy walking was short lived as I approached Kinderlow End and I passed a few cheery folk on my way up.

The path up Kinderlow End.

As I turned around to check back I got a shock, I could see an icy storm heading straight for me, I kept snapping away as long as I dare and quickly dry bagged the camera once again.

An icy storm heading straight towards me!

The storm didn't last long but it was a promising sign that I may get some snow after all.

As I neared the top of Kinderlow End the sun broke through the clouds creating some fantastic effects.

As I neared Edale Rocks I began looking for a potential pitching spot and I couldn't help but notice Swines Back looked a better prospect, as I looked over I saw a tripod set up on the summit and hoped I hadn't been beaten to it.

I took a slow walk over and noticed someone leaving the summit, as our paths crossed he introduced himself as Harsharn from Peak-Exposure and after a brief chat about photography, weather, camping and suchlike, he headed for Noe Stool.

Despite the tiny elevation increase from the Pennine Way path, the winds up on Swines Back were borderline ridiculous, I sought shelter behind some rocks and made myself a nice warming brew.

After a passing storm I checked out the area and although the tent would have endured such winds, there's no way I'd be able to sleep.

A quick brew out of the chilling wind.

I quickly descended and found a place to pitch that would hopefully provide decent sunrise views in the morning.

After two evening meals and faffing about checking social media I peered out to a surprisingly clear sky, I switched the lens to my night time fave (22mm prime) and headed out.

Force 10 Ion 2 pitched just below Swines Back.

After 10-15 minutes I headed back indoors to thaw out, soon after it was lights out and as I lay awake, couldn't help but notice the frequency of the sleet was starting to increase.
I woke up a couple of times to heavy snowfall and gave the tent a gentle shake to disperse any that had built up on the roof.
I peered out when my alarm had gone off, unfortunately the sunrise wasn't visible but a heavy dumping of snow had fallen so I hastily had breakfast and then darted outside in the snow taking some shots while the weather still allowed it.

Just as forecast!

Looking Northeast to Noe Stool.

Time was getting on so I packed my sodden tent away and headed West at the Jacob's Ladder crossroads.

The views of surrounding peaks were fantastic and as I made my descent skirting around Kinderlow End the sleet began to fall again.

As I was crossing one of the many stiles on my route back down my lead leg slipped and I fell onto the top plank, I felt lucky that I got away with a nasty graze at the top of my inner thigh as it could have been much worse!
The sleet began to increase and the waterproof overtrousers went on again as I feared it would soon start to fall as rain.

Kinderlow End from the South.

At around 300m the greens had returned and as I strolled the last kilometer back to the car the heavens well and truly opened!

The Path down to Tunstead Clough Farm.

As I neared the car (almost exactly 24 hours later) I'd seen far more than just snow and it had been a great trip to end my two month drought of no camping, I look forward to many more over the winter months :)