Sunday, 29th March 2009

Walk:	Grasmere, Tongue Gill, Seat Sandal, Grisedale Hause, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Stone Arthur, Brackenwife Knotts, Winterseeds
Start Point:	Lay-by on A591, Grasmere	Grid Ref:	NY 338 084
Distance:	7.5 miles	Ascent:	3,500 feet
Weather:	A sunny day with magnificent views, a very cold breeze and dusting of snow at higher levels.
Accompanied by:	9 members of the group
Comments:	The latest forecast promised a sunny day and we were not disappointed. With the air remarkably clear the views of distant fells were the best I have seen them for a few months. After the long climb to the summit of Seat Sandal I think some of the party were a little surprised that they had a 750 foot descent before making their way up the steep scree path to Fairfield (1,000 feet of ascent!). Spending a little time to check out the views, and play another game of 'Name that Fell', we continued on to Great Rigg - only a modest undulation to reach its summit. Then it was all downhill to Stone Arthur, stopping in the shelter of a rocky outcrop for lunch. Taking a pathless route to the west we descended over Brackenwife Knotts and stayed on the higher path to return to the cars via Winterseeds.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Getting ready - with Helm Crag and Steel Knotts on the left of the A591 . . .

but our route lies up Seat Sandal on the right

The plaque on the last house as you turn up Tongue Gill - wonder if the owners have done the walk?

Helm Crag right of centre and the Coniston fells in the distance to the left

The beginning of the climb - grassy but steep in places . . .

and some of the group prefer a faster pace!

Crinkle Crags and the Langdale Fells come into view . . .

whilst higher up we can make out Wetherlam, Swirl How and Great Carrs . . .

and to the North our first glimpse of Dollywagon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn . . .

with Skiddaw just West of North

Finally at the summit of Seat Sandal . . .

we find a sheltered spot for a coffee break . . .

Descending in a northerly direction the views over Grisedale Tarn to St Sunday Crag and Fairfield . . .

are just irresistible

The early part of the climb up to Fairfield with Seat Sandal on the left and Grisedale Tarn on the right . . .

and lots more climbing still to do!

Almost at the top, time for another view of the Helvellyn range . . .

and Striding Edge

Two people are just descending from the top of Cofa Pike . . .

which would be crossed en route to St Sunday Crag . . .

but I'll stay at the top of the route . . .

before heading across to Fairfield summit - check out the cornice, to be avoided at all costs!

The dusting of snow on the Far Eastern Fells highlights the ridges

Fairfield summit cairn . . .

where the group celebrates before . . .

making the gradual descent on the way to . . .

Great Rigg . . .

and time for a quick photo

The wind is still very cold so we take advantage of the shelter afforded by a rocky outcrop . . .

before continuing down to Stone Arthur . . .

also known as Arthur's Seat

Two weeks ago we were here just in t-shirts . . .

but today we need the jackets and gloves!

Descending over Brackenwife Knotts we can see most of the walk we have done . . .

and the long lay-by which is now full of cars

A new use for a door - from a HUGE doorway . . .

seen as we walked through Winterseeds Farm