ON May 16 a group of 11 members travelled to Ambleside in the Lake District.

The walk set off from the Rydal Road car park and it was uphill every step of the way to the summit of Red Screes, a climb of 2,400ft over a distance of four miles.

The weather was overcast but thankfully the cloud was clear of the tops, affording excellent views of the surrounding fells and lakes.

After finding shelter from the cold brisk wind lunch was taken on the Eastern face of the summit, looking down on the Kirkstone Pass and the Inn 1,000ft below.

From there the only way was down in all directions.

The route headed north west descending 850ft into Scandale.

On reaching the Scandale Pass it was onwards and upwards, climbing again, passing Scandale Tarn on the way up the other side of the valley to High Bakestones.

From the well-built cairn at High Bakestones there is an excellent viewpoint looking down the length of Scandale to Ambleside with Windermere beyond and Coniston Water to the west of that.

Leaving the viewpoint the path contoured around the head of the valley to meet the High Pike/Low Pike ridge, where the descent back towards Ambleside began.

A second break was taken on the ridge path.

Towards the end of the ridge a path lead down to Scandale Beck in the valley bottom, the stream was crossed at the picturesque High Sweden Bridge.

From this point High Sweden Lane leads the way back into the heart of Ambleside, where a well earned drink was taken in the Golden Rule.

Some headed off home, others headed off to Buttermere (by car) for an overnight stop and another days walking