The view of High Crag and High Stile from Buttermere as we parked up. Not the bright sunshine that I was hoping for but it was improving.

The sun was making an appearance as we rounded the lake.

Robinson across Buttermere as we walk up through Burtness Wood.

Fleetwith Pike and Gatesgarth.

The scene down to a distant Crummockwater.

Burtness Comb and Eagle Crag

To reach the summit of High Crag we were to use the route that AW described as Sheepbone rake. In this view it can be seen as the snow filled gully on the top left.

Gaining height there was plenty of opportunity to take in the excellent views.

The Comb was now well below us.

Bailey takes it all in as we ascend the rake. (Yes he does look thin at this time after his stressful time in the Dogs Trust kennels but we are pretty sure he will fill out- he doesn't lack in energy though!)

This was the view he was looking at.

A stunning view of Fleetwith Pike as we pull out of the rake.

A far-off Skiddaw.

High Stile as we break back into the sun on the north ridge of High Crag.

High Crag summit with the Gables behind.

Bailey claims his very first Wainwright summit. (Zeta has the "been there, done that" look). I wonder how long before he has ticked off the 214?

High Stile

The steep descent off Gamlin End

Haystacks

Green gable and Great Gable

Looking back to High Crag from Seat.

High Crag from near Scarth Gap

Zooming in on Crummockwater and Low Fell.

High Crag. my previous two attempts to get this photograph were spoilt by the weather, no problems today (apart from the frozen tarn)

A frozen summit tarn on Haystacks.

The view from Haystacks.

Another summit pose.

Sunlight illuminates Knott Rigg under Eel Crag and Sail.

Skiddaw from Haystacks.

Late afternoon light touches Great Gable, Broad Crag and Scafell Pike.

Frozen Innominate tarn.

Blackbeck Gully

Blackbeck Tarn.

A fine afternoon if you are on Grasmoor.

Zeta waits patiently on a heather bed.

Our descent route past the old quarry to Warnscale Bottom.

The well camouflaged bothy in the old quarry.

Light fades as we descend to the valley floor. Once at Gatesgarth I followed the lake path back to Buttermere. We arrived back at the car in the dark after a fine outing during which we saw and spoke to only one more walker. There are not many occasions these days where you can be on your own on Haystacks. Mind you, are you ever alone on Haystacks?