After two years in hiding the White Squirrel returns?

It is startling to see a white squirrel for the first time. I was running a regular route close by our local apple farm, and as I passed the giant pile of reject apples a white animal streaked away across the ground then up into the trees and out of sight.

This became a familiar but infrequent occurence over a couple of years. It was always one alone and usually quite early in the day. Then I thought I saw a second - not two of them together, but a few hundred metres appart along the path. There was no chance to confirm this however as that was the last sighting for some time.

Afer March or April 2009 there has been no sign - just the usual greys. Until today that is. Snaffling the apples just as I remember!

Can this be the same one? Or more likely a relation? Is this a gene which becomes visable once in a while among grey squirrels? Or is it a seperate and distinct animal?

If like the squirrel you want some interesting apples you can go to the same source at Cross Lanes apple farm http://www.users.waitrose.com/~crosslanes/contents_small/index.htm.

Has anyone else experienced the white squirrel?

The beginning of the end for the Terrible Terrocs from Inov-8?

"The lightweight alternative to walking boots, the Terroc 330 is ideal for fast and light trekking and walking in the mountains and along the trails in drier summer conditions. This shoe has lateral and medial posting providing torsional support. Recreational trail runners have also taken a shine to this superb nimble and responsive shoe." Enthusiasts in need of a new / spare pair should rush to Cotswold Camping. On sale for £54! This description from the Pete Bland website http://www.peteblandsports.co.uk is probably more accurate than Inov-8 themselves who propose these as running shoes. [See below for my sorry tale!]

Scafell from Eskdale

My memories of this area are from the 60s, plunging into the cool pools of upper Eskdale as relief from the summer sun. Different, but just as pretty to look at are the frozen falls around Throstle Garth below Thorneythwaite crag at the end of November.

This route to Scafell is one of the best. Long. A long trek in through the varying scenary of upper Eskdale. Now the faint paths are obcured by snow and frost, and the wide boggy area of the Great Moss is comfortably and firmly frozen.

Cam Spout, on the far side below Broad Stand and Mickledore and leading to the ridge is just a twist of frozen green ice.

Me, I chose the next indentation between Broad Crag and Scafell Pike with a diagonal upwards traverse across the front of Dow Crag then up to the cwm above Little Narrowcove.

looking down from Dow Crag

.. and up to the Cwm between Broad Cragg on the left & Scafell Pike

There were no footprints here until the ridge. Here the east facing slope of Scafell Pike was a hard packed slope of ice and snow with just a few old and insecure steps kick into the surface. Time for the Grivels! I'd carried crampon all weekend and this was the first time I felt the need for them.

Scafell Pike sumit pile of stones

 Lunchtime on the highest spot in England also meant that it would be dark in a few hours. My way back was over Scafell to the west, and I could make out a snow filled Lord's Rake below. In the picture you can see the diagonal white strip to the right of the mountain mass.

Scafell with Lord's Rake to right

start of Lord's Rake (figures at top)

 In case of mist you have to remember 'up three times, down twice' for Lord's Rake.

The final section of Lord's Rake before the left turn up to the top of Scafell

From the top of Scafell a final look at the panorama to the east (here with Scafell Pike) before the long race down the ridge to beat approaching dark. [click to enlarge!]