Sunday, 12th January 2014

 

Walk: Dow Bank, Grasmere, Easedale Tarn, Swirl How
Start Point: Walthwaite Bottom, Elterwater Grid Ref: NY 329 051
Distance: 11.5 miles Ascent: 3,140 feet
Weather: Some sun but becoming cloudy Time: 6.5 hours
Comments: The morning light provided good opportunities for photographs as we made our way over Dow Bank and below the flanks of Silver How into Grasmere. We made use of the benches for our morning break before continuing on to Easedale Tarn. From here the ice and snow made climbing over rocks a little more precarious but we eventually made our way past Codale Tarn t join the path from Sergeant Man. Heading East we made our way past Blea Rigg on an undulating and gradually descending footpath before our last ascent to Swirl How. After passing Spedding Crag we descended to th flanks of Dow Crag to return to the car park.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Preparing for the walk in the morning sunshine

 

Lingmoor and the Coniston Fells look fairly clear . . .

 

but mist hangs in the valley over Elterwater

 

Heading for Dow Bank . . .

 

where the group gathers for a photo and enjoys views . . .

 

over Lingmoor to Crinkle Crags and the Langdale Pikes . . .

 

over Grasmere to the Fairfield Horseshoe and . . .

 

across to Dunmail Raise flanked by Steel Fell and Seat Sandal

 

Crinkle Crags and the Langdale Pikes stand out against the blue shy . . .

 

but mist remains over Windermere

 

Getting nearer to Grasmere . . .

 

as we pass below the flanks of Swirl How

 

Following the tourist path . . .

 

as we climb Sour Milk Ghyll . . .

 

and walk past Easedale Tarn . . .

 

but not many people stopping here today

 

We continue away from the tarn . . .

 

and find a sheltered spot for lunch before reaching the path from Sergeant Man

 

Clouds gather as we start the return journey . . .

 

and shadow has created a work of art in this icy pool

 

Robb contemplates the view . . .

 

down the Great Langdale Valley

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