Wednesday, 11th August 2010
| Walk: | Steel Fell, Calf Crag, Sergeant Man, High Raise, Greenup Edge, Ullscarf, Standing Crag, Harrop Tarn, Birk Crag | ||
| Start Point: | Steel End car park | Grid Ref: | NY 320 130 |
| Distance: | 11.5 miles | Ascent: | 3,100 feet |
| Weather: | Some short sharp showers with the sun breaking through at times | ||
| Accompanied by: |
On my own |
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| Comments: | This walk was to check out the route for the group walk in September. The initial climb to Steel Fell was, as always, a steep slog but after reaching the summit it is a straight forward stroll across to Calf Crag. The path alongside Mere Beck is not always clear but accompanies the beck for most of the way. Reaching Sergeant Man brings into view a whole new set of fells in the Coniston direction. From here a clear path heads across to High Raise, and yet another section of fells, including Great Gable. Low White Stones beckons and is soon reached, but carries the disappointment having to descend to Greenup Edge. However, the route from there to Ullscarf is not as bad as it looks initially - apart from the fact that it is very boggy (as was much of the walk today). Leaving Ullscarf, with its disappointing cairn, the route continues to Standing Crag, which must be circumnavigated. I took a right turn at the gate in the fence and headed for the ladder stile to enter the forest. The access gate is to the north of the ladder stile so it is necessary to follow a route in that direction. After passing Harrop Tarn I tested out a descent via Birk Crag to reach the road at Stenkin. The main route, which is signposted to the left just after the footbridge would be a better option. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Thirlmere still looks low from the climb up Steel Fell
helvellyn hides in the mist as I reach the summit . . .
but there is some blue sky around
Looking down the Greenburn Valley with the Helm Crag ridge on the right
Calf Crag, looking south-west . . .
and looking back to the summit from the path
My morning coffee stop overlooks the Helm Crag ridge and Steel Fell while Fairfield and Helvellyn hide in the low cloud
Sergeant Man finally comes into view . . .
and I have it all to myself . . .
as I look down to Stickle Tarn
From High Raise the easily recognisable Great Gable can be seen . . .
and looking to the north reveals Bassenthwaite (just) . . .
and looking much closer than it really is, Pike O' Stickle pops into view
From Low White Stones the cloud has almost left Fairfield and Helvellyn
Blea Tarn signals time to turn east towards Thirlmere
Following the bridleway, Harrop Tarn is a welcome break in the trees
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