O.C.T. '12 Front End Recce - Attempt No. 2

Well this time the weather held, albeit cold and windy with the cloud base lifting as we progressed up through the contours.  Good early start from the ODG in the Langdales around 8:20 giving us plenty of time, or so we thought to achieve our higher ambition of Esk Hause then Esk Pike, Bow Fell the Band and in.
The weather had been kind up to Grizedale Tarn with one very heavy dose of rain forcing us into full waterproofs, which were a blessing higher up when we had a full facial hail shower.  We decided to take the direct route up the wall/fence line to the top of Dollywaggon to allow Andy (Ford) to bag some summits.  We trotted on from Dollywaggon in a freezing gale over Nethermost Pike eventually finishing on Helvellyn.  We did it in a pitifully slow time, which will have to be improved upon on the day of the event.
Next was the plummet down to the valley bottom using the grassy route to Wythburn.  My memory failed me again and we went along the track missing the turn for the control point - another lesson learned.  The valley bottom was a lot warmer and less windy making it  a bearable trudge up through Wythburn towards High Raise.  We could not help but stop to take in the stunning views around us, such a wonderfully clear day.  I was hoping to download some of Andy's photos but I can't figure how to do it from Flicker on my I-mac - advise anyone?
Next, over High Raise, well contouring really and a direct line for the tarns near Stake pass then on to Angle Tarn.  Our target was 5 hours, we took 6.5 hours!  Timed out if we were on the event but we did take time out to take in the scenery and have a typical WFDBWGUA type Saturday run.
Both feeling a bit jiggered, wind beaten and in my case very cold, we dropped off the tops via Rosset Gyll and trotted along the valley bottom to the car.
A good recce, a great day out - pity about the speed.  Must do better on the day.

KLM