I had not managed to get out and sleep under canvas in September or October missing out on camp's surrounded by the beautiful colours of autumn. Motivation had been lacking, a prolonged period working away from home saw me arrive home late on a Friday tired, with a pile of washing and an empty fridge, this coupled with early starts on Mondays had sapped my energy. With the job complete I was therefore looking forward to getting out in the Lakes and an opportunity to wild camp and hopefully get some images of an iconic view.

I had chosen to head round to Wast Water one of the Lake Districts' photography honeypots; it's easy to see why, Englands deepest lake sits nestled below the seemingly vast screes of Illgill Head with fantastic views down to Yewbarrow, whose south east ridge seems to carve into the water like the great upturned prow of a ships hull. Beyond Yewbarrow is Great Gable and the Scafell peaks forming what must be the most famous and iconic view in the Lake District, even appearing on the logo for the National Park.

I had hoped to get some sunset pictures but the clouds were unkind, offering up a dull sunset and I retreated to the warmth of my sleeping bag disappointed. Morning offered slightly better conditions and I found a couple of nice although certainly not original compositions with foreground rocks in the lake mirroring the mountains in the background. For a time it looked like the rays of the rising sun would reflect off the cloud which was dancing around Gable to light its' snow dusted summit with warm pink and orange light, but it was one of those nearly moments you get so often in photography.

Wast Water RocksThe sunrise didn't really play ball but these rocks make an interesting study.