It wasn't snowing when we left home but by the time we reached Levens, there was a thick layer of the white stuff on the road and the surrounding countryside. The hares Chapped Lips and Late Cummer told us that they had laid the trail the previous afternoon with the other white stuff, flour. They promised a variety of coloured chalk arrows too and took the trouble to point to one on a gate post at the start offering false reassurance. Thanks to the laid white stuff being covered by falling white stuff the hares decided to accompany us which meant sacrificing the beer stop. Oh well, needs must.

We set off in the direction of Sizergh but veered off to Helsington Church and along the track towards Helsington Barrows. The Wimps split took them down the road to Brigsteer with Chapped Lips and the Rambos were already out of sight somewhere on Scout Scar with Cums Late.

I caught up with Four Candles, Tarn and Ruby the Golden Doodle who were on their way up Scout Scar and hadn't realised that they had missed the Wimps/Rambos split. Rather than turn back we decided to carry on and found a reassuring arrow in the snow. Following footprints we took the path off Scout scar descending steeply towards a farm. There was a green arrow on a gate, amazing! We followed the track past a farm and at the sign post there was nothing ….. Relying on prior knowledge we headed down to a gate and through the woods. Still no markings?

By the time we reached the next stile we knew we were “off piste” and after a couple of falls due to snow conditions Four Candles was remembering why she didn't go skiing any more.

The final forest track presented us with many obstacles, mainly fallen trees courtesy of Storm Arwen which were difficult to climb through and slowed us down. But it was a great route and a good time was had by all.

Apologies to Four Candles for leading her astray again, oops. Thank you to the hashers who waited for us before starting the circle but apologies too for keeping you waiting in Arctic temperatures

Down downs went to the hares, Lurch, Morticia and the newcomers.

At the end of the circle our RA, Hard Astern had us blessed with glorious sunshine and blue sky in which the snow sparkled and the world looked so magical. On on...