A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.
I haven’t made a post on here since the 8th November, 2024. I can only apologise. Not long after we returned from Scotland, the weather in the Northwest of England became abysmal. Near-constant murk and drizzle, punctuated by the occasional storm, have left little opportunity for a nice outing, never mind having decent light to shoot.
Moving into 2025 though, I spotted a single day in the week that looked glorious. Clear skies and plummeting temperatures. I rearranged my work shifts and head right into the Lake District looking for some snowy fells.
I didn’t get snowy fells unfortunately. But I did get glorious light and icy paths.
Let’s hope 2025 isn’t as wet.
All photos taken on my Sony α7ii using my Sony 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS zoom and Rokinon 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC prime lenses. RAWs converted in Lightroom, merged in Photomatix, and edited in Photoshop.
I decided on the Smithy Brow route to Hodge Close Quarry for the day’s hike. Not even a few feet into the hike, I find this beautifully crystalline patch of ice reflecting the colours of the sky, fells, and nearby trees.
As Smithy Brow starts to ascend, I spot a gap through the trees to the mighty Bowfell (902 m/2,959 ft), with a little whisper of snow on it.
The lane known as Smithy Brow, with a glowing Wetherlam (763 m/2,503 ft) constantly demanding my attention.
As Smithy Brow climbs higher, a clear section gives you this epic panorama of the Langdale fells. The peak left of centre is Pike o’ Blisco (705 m/2,313 ft) with Wrynose Fell’s steep crags below it. Centre-right is Bowfell.
Looking east from the same vantage point. Golden light bringing out the rusty hues of the bracken-covered fells.
Around High Oxen Fell this lovely barn provided me this composition of the drystone wall leading to the combined skylines of the barn and the distant fells.
Nearing Hodge Close Quarry, another frozen puddle catches my eye with these wonderful waves and curves.
Hodge Close Quarry, with its sheer 150 ft drop down to the water.
More concentric ice patterns spotted at the Hodge Close car park. Puts me in mind of tree rings.
After arriving at Hodge Close Quarry, I pondered my options. I realised that I had never been to the famous Slater’s Bridge in Little Langdale, and the route didn’t look hard at all. 30 minutes of navigating frozen paths later, I arrived at the 17th-century packhorse bridge, this glorious timeless scene unveiling itself.
The shadow cast by Knotts gradually creeping its way towards Lingmoor Fell’s shoulder.
Back on Smithy Brow, nearing my car, I look back one last time for this final composition, rounding off a quality day.