Sunday, 12th September 2010

 

Walk: Steel End, Steel Fell, Calf Crag, Sergeant Man, High Raise, Ullscarf, Standing Crag, Harrop Tarn
Start Point: Dob Gill car park Grid Ref: NY 315 140
Distance: 11 miles Ascent: 3,200 feet
Weather: 7 hours
Accompanied by:

7 members of the group

Comments: A brisk walk to Steel End warms us up for the climb up to Steel Fell, and a chance to check out the views over the valley to Helvellyn, Fairfield, etc - just a few of the many summits we will see today. A good ridge walk leads us on to Calf Crag where a comfortable, sheltered spot provides us with good views as we take our morning break. Leaving Calf Crag it's time to recall Coast-to-Coast expeditions as we cross the head of Far Easedale and make our way beside Mere Beck to Codale Head and on to Sergeant Man, and a new set of summits to identify. Turning our back on the 'Man' we head across to a very windy High Raise. An elderly couple vacate the shelter as we enter it - hope we will still be doing these walks when we are their age! By the time we have finished our lunch there is some very serious-looking 'weather' making its way across the Langstrath Valley, but fortunately it isn't long before it has passed us by. From Low White Stones we have quite a descent to Greenup Edge - and more thoughts of the Coast-to-Coast before climbing again to Ullscarf. Now on the last lap and it should all be straightforward - or so I thought!!!! Descending to Thirlmere Forest Garry decides to explore the deepest part of the boggy ground that he can find - up to his knees! Then in the forest, the path marked as a bridleway deteriorates to little more than a rocky stream bed - and we have had a lot of rain recently. I thought horses and cyclists should be able to navigate bridleways??!!

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

The sun highlights our first climb . . .

 

which heads steeply up the end . . .

 

of Steel Fell

 

Calf Crag, with the Greenhow Crags catching the sun . . .

 

which enhances our coffee stop overlooking . . .

 

Helm Crag and Grasmere

 

The tarn on Brownrigg Moss sits below Greenup Edge . . .

 

and in the opposite direction we look down onto Far Easedale . . .

 

and further along the path, ridge upon ridge tests our knowledge of the summits

 

Sergeant Man stands out prominently from Codale Head . . .

 

and the men soon 'bag' the summit

 

We now have views over Stickle Tarn to the Coniston Fells . . .

 

and along the ridge to Elterwater and Windermere

 

Enjoying the view on a windy High Raise . . .

 

before deciding to . . .

 

take advantage of the shelter for lunch, and while we are busy eating . . .

 

some serious 'weather' approaches over Glaramara

 

Moving on to Ullscarf the sun has returned . . .

 

and the pole points out Great Gable . . .

 

and one for the album

 

Descending from Standing Crag . . .

 

we have a good view of Blea Tarn

 

Harrop Tarn, with Tarn Crags in the background . . .

 

and a good bridleway leads us to . . .

 

the footbridge, after which a difficult descent . . .

 

takes us down to the road and the bridge over Dob Gill

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