My Winter Mountain Leader assessment: a week to remember.

My Winter Mountain Leader assessment:  a week to remember.

I recently spent perhaps the hardest week of my life  being assessed for my Winter Mountain Leader award, up  in the Cairngorms in Scotland.  It was one of the most gruelling weeks I’ve ever experienced, but also one of the most rewarding.

From Grasmere to Fairfield and Helvellyn.

From Grasmere to Fairfield and Helvellyn.

As we leave Grasmere village heading towards Ambleside along the southern side of Grasmere lake, I can’t help feeling that spring is here, and summer is not far away.  There’s real warmth in the air and the sun frequently escapes