Wednesday, 26th March 2014
| Walk: | Easedale Road, Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag, Steel Fell, Low Mill Bridge | ||
| Start Point: | Grasmere, A591 lay-by | Grid Reference: | NY 388 085 |
| Distance: | 8.5 miles | Ascent: | 2,500 feet |
| Time: | 5.75 hours | ||
| Weather: | Dry with sunny spells and a cold wind | ||
| Comments: | The climb to Helm Crag is helped by being stepped for a good part of the way. The rocky outcrop on the southern end of the crag (The Lion and the Lamb) was inviting today so a climb to the top was in order. However, the same couldn't be said for the Howitzer (The Wainwright) at the other end of the ridge and photographs at the base had to suffice. The immediate descent was followed the long slow ascent to Gibson Knott and Calf Crag with the many undulations on the way. From there the grassy path to Steel Fell was much easier to walk on despite the many boggy patches. After photos at the summit cairn we followed the descending grassy path, interspersed by a couple of rocky sections. It was then an easy road walk back to the car. | ||
Looking across to Sour Milk Ghyll
Posing on High Raven Crag . . .
where there are good views to Grasmere . . .
and across to Seat Sandal and Fairfield
Looking down a rocky ascent from High Raven Crag on our way to . . .
the southerly summit of the Helm Crag Ridge . . .
seen as The Lion part of the Lion and The Lamb . . .
when travelling on the A591
It's quite busy here today . . .
as we head across to the Wainwright . . .
known as The Howitzer . . .
and the only one that Wainwright didn't climb
Zooming back as walkers leave the first summit
Reaching a rocky outcrop we take time . . .
for a couple of photos
A little further on we reach Gibson Knott . . .
and time for more photos
The rocky, undulating path eventually leads us to Calf Crag . . .
but I'm glad we're not going higher . . .
though Greenup Edge doesn't look too bad
From our lunch spot we look over Steel Fell to Dollywagon Pike, St Sunday Crag, Cofa Pike and Fairfield behind Seat Sandal
A nameless tarn as we head towards Steel Fell
Thirlmere comes into view with Skiddaw, Lonscale Pike, Great Calva and Blencathra in the distance
In the opposite direction we can see the Coniston Fells . . .
and the Langdlae Pikes peep out behind Blea Rigg
Another view of Thirlmere and the layers of fells
A red-toned cairn . . .
marks the summit . . .
of Steel Fell . . .
with more great views
Our route of descent with Helm Crag to the right and Windermere in the distance . . .
and a final look at Helm Crag