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PICTURES AND TRIP REPORTS FROM MY WALKS IN THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
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E-mail - karl@karlswalks.co.uk |
One of our favourite walks this week, We put our faith in the forecast which said that after a dull start the day would improve and thankfully that's what it did.
We only just managed to park in the long lay-by just north of Grasmere on the A591. Anyone arriving later than us ( 9.20 ) would have to look elsewhere. There is a short road walk to warm up our legs for the steep ascent of Steel Fell.
On the way we pass under Helm Crag our final fell of the day. Lynn and Emily have joined us today.
I've climbed this way before a few times but it never gets any easier. Helm Crag is on the right
In clear weather you get a view of the Langdale Pike over the Greenburn valley and the ridge we will be walking later.
After hauling ourselves up to the top of Steel Fell we decided that a break was called for and as we were sat resting the weather as predicted started to clear and soon we had a lovely ( if a bit hazy ) view to the north. Thirlmere is very still and the large fell to the right in the distance is Blencathra, then the dark pyramid shape is Great Calva and the faint fell to the left is Lonscale fell.
On our way around the head of Greenburn and this can be notoriously boggy but today despite the rain we have had recently it wasn't too bad. I think we did take a slightly higher route keeping more to the left rather than the path which keeps closer to the tarns.
Looking back the way we have come from the climb to Calf Crag. Although there was still a chilly breeze the sunshine now was quite warm and very welcome as it seems ages since we had any.
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On to Calf Crag looking along the ridge to Helm Crag.
Helvellyn and the fells to the east are clear now.
Zooming in on St. Sunday crag and Deepdale Hause. The top of Cofa Pike is just visible to the right.
Looking back to Calf Crag.
From our path along the ridge we can see the rough land of Far Easedale giving way to the green fields around Grasmere. Grasmere ( the lake ) is the water in the distance with Loughrigg Fell above.
Steel Fell from Gibson Knott.
Looking over to Easedale Tarn and now we can see ( some of ) the Langdale Pikes. Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark in this case.
Only Helm Crag to climb now. As we reached the foot of the fell at Bracken Hause I was faced with a mutiny in the camp as Sue, Lynn and Emily decided that it was too nice a day to be tramping up Helm Crag only to to come back down so they decided to have a rest in the sunshine.
After leaving the mutineers to their repose I tackled the steep but short climb to Helm Crag. This is the view back along the ridge just walked.
As my crew had abandoned me there was no one to take my photo as I climbed the Howitzer rock which is the very summit of Helm Crag so I had to do it myself. Helmside and the A591 are below.
Looking through one of the shards of rock to Great Rigg and Fairfield. A slightly embarrassing few minutes followed as I tried to climb down a different way to which I've done before and got a bit stuck above a drop which I wasn't confident of climbing down, luckily a kind chap standing below who seeing my hesitation pointed out a little rock step which I could reach and hadn't been able to see from above so thankfully I got down without any drama.
Reunited with the mutineers we came down to the valley on the zig-zag path. Our route of ascent is on the other side of Greenburn
The view downstream from the bridge over Green Burn
And the view upstream.
Our fist and last fells on the round seen from the walk back to the road.
Previous walk - Coniston 14 and Wetherlam - Next walk - Threlkeld to Brathwaite