Wastwater

The view of Wastwater, England's deepest lake, surrounded by the lovely and dramatic peaks of Yewbarrow, Great Gable, Lingmell and the Scafell Pikes is regarded by many as one of the finest mountain views in the entire country. The Wasdale Valley is also considered to be the birthplace of climbing in the United Kingdom and the many crags to be found in the area, particularly on Great Gable and Scafell are the playground of the committed rock climber.

The area is also one of the wettest in the country so capturing a striking photograph of this view on a day with good weather and light can be as equally challenging as the climbing. From my base in the Scottish Borders, Wasdale was not the most convenient valley for ease of access, so I chose to wait for a period of stable weather during one of the quieter months of the year when I could expect rich and vibrant colours in the hillsides.

The mid-November day that I chose turned out to be one of crystal clear air but, unfortunately, one of very strong winds. Keeping the heavy Fuji GX617 panoramic upright on the tripod became quite a challenge, as did peering into the lens with watering eyes. However, the final image perfectly mirrored the character of the day and of the environment - stark, challenging, but dramatic and impressive.