Striding Edge

A photo diary of Lake District fell walks

  • Walks
  • Fells
    • Wainwrights
      • Eastern Fells
      • Far Eastern Fells
      • Central Fells
      • Southern Fells
      • Northern Fells
      • North Western Fells
      • Western Fells
      • Outlying Fells
    • Birketts
  • Dogs
  • Love The Lakes
  • Contact

Far Easedale Round

Walked on 26/04/2024

Walking Diary 2024

Start Point: Lancrigg Car Park, Easedale (NY 331 083)

Lancrigg Car Park, Easedale – Stythwaite Steps – Tarn Crag East Ridge  – Tarn Crag – Codale Head – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Low White Stones – Greenup Edge – Brownrigg Moss – Calf Crag – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Lancrigg Car Park, Easedale

Distance: 17.3 km     Total Ascent: 805 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes     Start Time: 07:45

Weather: Cold wind, clear spells, 5°C

I have had this walk lined up for a little while but was waiting for a suitable weather window to do it. I was rewarded for that wait today, the weather being absolutely fantastic and coupled with the surroundings made this walk very enjoyable from start to finish – I can well recommend it. When I looked back through my walks, the last time I was up on Tarn Crag was in 2010 – an unbelievable 14 years ago!

694A3606

Easedale at the start of the walk and what a beautiful start to the day. The birds were singing and there wasn't a breath of wind.

694A3607

Looking across Easedale to Sour Milk Gill with Tarn Crag beyond, the pointed summit is where we are heading, climbing along the east ridge.

694A3611

Heading into Far Easedale towards Stythwaite Steps.

694A3613

The crossing of Far Easedale Gill at Stythwaite Steps (which is now a footbridge).

694A3615

Looking into Far Easedale with Calf Crag at the head, the way we will be returning later.

694A3618

Just at the top of the wall on the climb from the footbridge, these rocks mentioned by Wainwright can be seen. He calls it 'Interesting boulder' and the drawing is shown on The Central Fells, Tarn Crag 6. "The two boulders illustrated above still have foliage (heather and tree) and are a destination popular enough to have encouraged the creation of a path".

694A3628

Hey, ewe! I wonder what has caught this Herdy's attention?! (Clue: he has 4 legs, a waggy tail and is my walking companion!).

694A3631

The prominent Rock Tor on the east ridge, a good marker to let you know you are going the right way.

694A3637

Looks like Fletcher was just in time with his new haircut, he is loving the weather above Easedale Tarn.

694A3642

Blea Rigg across Easedale Tarn, the conditions were perfect up here.

694A3644

Tarn Crag ahead with Deer Bield Crag to the right. The summit is the pointed peak in the centre.

694A3646

Tarn Crag summit. There is not much of a cairn left now.

694A3653

Water, water everywhere...the pools are frozen still on the tops when we crossed Tarn Crag southwards to have a look over Easedale Tarn.

694A3658

Back to Tarn Crag summit - this is the rock plinth that marks the summit.

694A3673

Beautiful shifting light on Codale Tarn, beyond is Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.

694A3676

Fletcher leads the way on the climb to Codale Head.

694A3681

Sergeant Fletcher checks out Sergeant Man .

694A3687

The clouds seemed to be building now as we summited Sergeant Man, here looking down on the back of the Langdale Pikes, Pavey Ark to the right with Stickle Tarn visible, Lingmoor Fell and Side Pike central and the Coniston fells beyond.

694A3688

A magnificent view of Bowfell and the Scafells from Sergeant Man.

694A3697

Great Gable and High Stile over Glaramara.

694A3698

Once we reached the summit of High Raise (the centre of the Lake District and the highest point on today's walk) I stopped for a while and had a brew taking in the fantastic views in near perfect conditions. It is one of my favourites fells and it never fails to disappoint. This is looking into Langstrath from the coffee stop.

694A3703

Look at this view to Skiddaw and Blencathra, it is magnificent. When I first sat down there wasn't a breath of wind and it was silent apart from the chirruping of the Skylarks. 10 minutes later when I stood up to carry on, the wind had picked up noticeably so its looked like I hit the sweet spot with timing there!

694A3706

I headed down to Low White Stones following the path.

694A3707

Descending Greenup Edge, even normally dull Ullscarf is looking good today.

694A3708

It always strikes me that everything seems within easy reach from here, Sergeant's Crag and Eagle Crag especially as they are so near yet for me it is a long drive round to Borrowdale to climb them from that side.

694A3710

There is a new pavement under construction across Wythburn, I must say these large slabs make the going a lot easier than trying to get across the previously boggy area.

694A3711

Fletcher crosses the gateway through the invisible fence.

694A3715

Heading for Calf Crag and the start of the return leg.

694A3722

looking along Far Easedale to Grasmere from Calf Crag.

694A3726

Fletcher in a thoughtful pose.

694A3730

Looking across Far Easedale to Tarn Crag from Gibson Knott.

694A3732

...and looking along to Helm Crag from the same place.

694A3734

A Birds Eye view of the path walked earlier. At the bottom is the bridge at Stythwaite Steps. Follow the wall up and round and Wainwright's 'interesting boulder' is also visible.

694A3741

Helm Crag ahead looking across Bracken Hause.

694A3743

694A3745

Looking back to Gibson Knott from the climb to Helm Crag.

694A3754

The Howitzer, the summit rocks that mark the top of Helm Crag - also known as the Lion and the Lamb.

694A3755

694A3758

A little further on and these are the rocks that give the fells the local name of The Lion and the Lamb (although from this side it should be The Lamb and the Lion!).

694A3761

694A3764

Grasmere - town and lake.

694A3765

I spotted this plaque hidden away in Lancrigg Gardens on a small rock. It is in Latin, the inscription reads "Hoc in supercilic sedebat Dorothea Wordsworth dum ex ore fratis prope inambulantis carmina describit" translated as "Dorothy Wordsworth used to sit at this spot, writing down the poems that her brother dictated as he walked nearby".

Blea Rigg via Whitegill Crag

Walked on 16/04/2015

Start point: New Dungeon Ghyll Car Park (NY 295 064)

New Dungeon Ghyll – Whitegill Crag (ravine) – Blea Rigg – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Thunacar Knott – Harrison Stickle – Pike Howe – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 6.4 miles     Total Ascent: 778 metres    Time Taken: 4 hours 15 minutes     Start Time: 08:30

What a fantastic morning, the sky and light were excellent today and it was a great day to try out a scramble up to Blea Rigg using the Whitegill Crag ravine. If you like it steep and rough, then this is the way for you. Using this route I hardly saw a soul all morning (only from afar using the more popular paths) but I did bump into Striding Edge stalwarts Pat & Emrys on the way down – nice to see you both up there today.

610_0107.jpg

Looking along Langdale from the path above Millbeck - what a beautiful and clear morning.

610_0111.jpg

The way up today via the Whitegill Crag ravine. I'm not sure if the token on top of the rock has some significance!

610_0114.jpg

Steep and rocky.

610_0117.jpg

A wider view of Whitegill Crag.

610_0118.jpg

Looking down, Lingmoor Fell across the valley.

610_0142.jpg

The view from higher up...

610_0144.jpg

...and from the top.

610_0147.jpg

Looking across to the Langdales.

610_0152.jpg

I had a bit of fun looking around for some of the items mentioned by Wainwright in the Blea Rigg chapter today - this is the sheepfold taken from 'small shelter on top of crag' (Blea Rigg 8).

610_0154.jpg

...and this is the tarn a little further up on the map.

610_0164.jpg

Blea Rigg summit.

610_0167.jpg

The Shelter Stone on the top of Blea Rigg (Blea Rigg 12)

610_0174.jpg

Codale and Easdale Tarns.

610_0175.jpg

Looking in the opposite direction to the Langdale Pikes.

610_0178.jpg

The miniature pool (Blea Rigg 11).

610_0187.jpg

At least someone has found a use for it.

610_0188.jpg

Pavey Ark and Stickle Tarn.

610_0190.jpg

Sergeant Man from the east.

610_0192.jpg

Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from Sergeant Man.

610_0195.jpg

A beautiful pool on High Raise.

610_0196.jpg

Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite Lake from High Raise.

610_0200.jpg

Bowfell, the Scafells and Great Gable from High Raise.

610_0206.jpg

Fletch and Dougal looking very regal with new haircuts.

610_0219.jpg

Thunacar Knott.

610_0226.jpg

Hello you two.

610_0229.jpg

Windermere from Harrison Stickle.

610_0230.jpg

Pavey Ark and Stickle Tarn (and way beyond).

610_0238.jpg

What a great view from Harrison Stickle looking in the opposite direction.

610_0244.jpg

Lots of families around today which was great to see.

610_0246.jpg

The view from Harrison Stickle - Crinkle Crags and Bowfell beyond Loft Crag and Pike o' Stickle.

610_0278.jpg

Harrison Stickle from Pike Howe.

610_0296.jpg

Loft Crag and Harrison Stickle seperated by Dungeon Ghyll.

610_0298.jpg

Whitegill Crag (the lower peak). The path used at the start of the walk was below the Larch plantation.

610_0301.jpg

The Langdale Pikes looking radiant.

High Raise

Walked on 21/09/2012

Start point: New Dungeon Ghyll Car Park (NY 295 064)

New Dungeon Ghyll – Tarn Crag – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Thunacar Knott – Harrison Stickle – Pike Howe – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 5.5 miles     Total Ascent: 752 metres    Time Taken: 3 hours 40 minutes     Start Time: 07:50

Weather: Brightening with long sunny spells later. 12°C

It was very quiet up on the fells today, I hardly saw a soul all morning. The weather was ever improving with sunshine and loveliness all around by the end of the walk.

First of all, an invitation for you if you are around in the Lakes on the weekend of the 10th & 11th of November…

01 High Raise.JPG

Layout 1

It would be great to see you there where you can meet the gruesome twosome (and Dougal and Casper!).

P9215520.jpg

An early start from Dungeon Ghyll, Pike Howe ahead.

P9215526.jpg

Stickle Ghyll.

P9215531.jpg

Plenty of water flowing today after a few days of heavy rain.

P9215533.jpg

The footbridge across Stickle Ghyll looking to Tarn Crag.

P9215547.jpg

Pike Howe and a touch of blue sky.

P9215550.jpg

Looking across to Pike Howe. I was following the original path to the east of Tarn Crag (now fallen out of fashion I think), a lovely climb with a nice gradient and zig-zags on grass - much better than the modern rocky pitched path. It's almost as if those old timers knew what they were doing!

P9215552.jpg

This Rowan tree was laden with bright red berries.

P9215554.jpg

A ruin with a view.

P9215555.jpg

Sergeant Man comes into view.

P9215562_stitch.jpg

Harrison Stickle.

P9215565_stitch.jpg

Pavey Ark.

P9215572.jpg

The small walled enclosure 10 yards past the fork.

P9215576.jpg

Harrison Stickle.

P9215588.jpg

Climbing higher.

P9215589.jpg

Pavey Ark and a clear view of the North Rake.

P9215592.jpg

Dougal checks out the two tarns - Codale and Easedale whilst the Fairfield fells get some sunlight on the clouds.

P9215598.jpg

Sergeant Man from the rock slab.

P9215606.jpg

The summit from the east.

P9215611.jpg

The summit of Sergeant Man.

P9215621.jpg

Dougal and Casper.

P9215624.jpg

Looking down the Blea Rigg ridge to Windermere.

P9215626.jpg

Not much to be seen from the summit of High Raise which was completely enveloped in mist.

P9215635.jpg

Windermere, Pavey Ark and clearing skies.

P9215642.jpg

The mist swirling around Pike o' Stickle.

P9215656.jpg

Heading across to Harrison Stickle.

P9215658.jpg

Stickle Tarn from the path.

P9215662.jpg

Looking across to Pavey Ark.

P9215680.jpg

Harrison Stickle summit.

P9215696_stitch.jpg

A panoramic view across Stickle Tarn.

P9215701.jpg

Bowfell in cloud beyond Pike o' Stickle.

P9215705.jpg

Loft Crag and Pike o' Stickle from the descent.

P9215715.jpg

The ravine of Dungeon Ghyll.

P9215724.jpg

Looking back along the path, Dungeon Ghyll to the left.

P9215727.jpg

Windermere and Great Langdale.

P9215731.jpg

The first people I met today climbing to Harrison Stickle.

P9215736.jpg

Tarn Crag and Stickle Ghyll - the original path I used earlier can be seen as the ribbon of green diverging from the rocky path.

P9215742.jpg

Great Langdale.

P9215750.jpg

Harrison Stickle from Pike Howe.

P9215755.jpg

'What are you up to?'.

P9215756.jpg

The path to Harrison Stickle.

P9215758.jpg

The old and the new - looking down on the paths around Pike Howe

P9215763.jpg

The lower section of Dungeon Ghyll.

P9215765.jpg

The descent.

P9215771.jpg

Crinkle Crags at the head of Oxendale, clear of clouds now.

P9215775.jpg

Great Langdale looking lovely in the sunshine.

P9215776.jpg

The Langdale Pikes.

Greenup Round

Walked on 19/03/2012

Start point: Stonethwaite (NY 262 137)

Stonethwaite – Great Crag – Low Saddle of Coldbarrow Fell – High Saddle of Coldbarrow Fell – Ullscarf – Greenup Edge – Low White Stones – High Raise – Sergeant’s Crag – Eagle Crag – Stonethwaite

Distance: 9.1 miles     Total Ascent: 941 metres   Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes     Start Time: 09:50

Weather: Some bright spells, cold wind. 10C

It started off brightly enough today but the clouds were soon rolling in and the wind was once again mighty cold. There was some fresh snow visible on High Crag showing just how cold it was and the going to Ullscarf from Dock Tarn was made that bit tougher by the boggy going underfoot.

Greenup

Greenup route map.

013

Eagle Crag from Stonethwaite Bridge.

014

Looking back to Stonethwaite from the climb to Willygrass Gill.

015

Above the woods with a view to Grey Knotts and Fleetwith Pike, Honister lit up by the sunshine.

016

Greenup.

017

Eagle Crag and Sergeant's Crag, between them is High Raise with Pike o' Stickle just about in view to the right.

018

Skiddaw in the distance from the heathery walk to Great Crag.

019

Great Crag summit.

020

The route ahead - over Dock Tarn to Low Saddle, High Saddle and Ullscarf.

021

Down at Dock Tarn, Dougal and Casper camouflaged as rocks.

022

Looking across to Great Gable and High Stile from the climb of Coldbarrow Fell - this is a real boggy mess across here.

023

Bowfell at the head of Langstrath.

024

Water in a line - a puddle, Watendlath Tarn, Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake.

025

It was really quite a cold wind up here and the cloud was rolling in from the west over Bowfell and the Scafells, Sergeant's Crag and Eagle Crag in the foreground.

026

Blea Tarn below, from Low Saddle.

027

Looking the other way, to High Saddle and Ullscarf.

028

Low Saddle and Great Crag from High Saddle.

029

Ullscarf summit, looking to High Raise.

030

Fleetwith Pike and the High Stile ridge.

031

After a boggy trudge along Greenup Edge, High Raise seemed near enough so I decided to squeeze that in today as well. This view is from Low White Stones looking to Helvellyn and Fairfield.

032

Up on High Raise I bumped into three StridingEdge fans from Chorley who were walking from Langdale, it was good to have a chat up there today...and Dougal and Casper enjoyed their biccies and sarnies (given, not stolen I hasten to add!).

033

A touch of sunshine in Langstrath...we're not going that way today boys!

034

Sergeant's Crag ahead.

035

High Raise and Pike o' Stickle from Sergeant's Crag.

036

Dougal works out the route to get to Eagle Crag.

037

High Raise and Sergeant's from Eagle.

038

Dougal and Casper - complete with evidence of their bog trotting - on Eagle Crag.

039

A bit of sunshine down in Borrowdale now.

040

The steep descent by the wall.

041

A nice place for the dogs to swim.

042

Eagle Crag from Stonethwaite Beck.

The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 04/03/2008

Start point: New Dungeon Ghyll Car Park (NY 295 064)

New Dungeon Ghyll – Stickle Tarn – Pavey Ark – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Thunacar Knott – Pike O’Stickle – Loft Crag – Thorn Crag – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 7 miles     Total Ascent: 822 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Sunny and bright, lots of snow. 7ºC.

What a fantastic day today, the best of the winter by far I think. I knew it was going to be good when I went through Coniston and the snow was down to a low level and the sky was clear. We were nice and early, climbing alongside Stickle Ghyll to meet the sunrise half way up which gave a lovely red hue on the snow. When I reached the dam on Stickle Tarn, I thought I must have died and gone to heaven – this is how winters should be!

The Langdale Pikes

04.03.08-009

Stickle Ghyll.

04.03.08-019

Climbing alongside Stickle Ghyll into the fabulous sunrise.

04.03.08-022

Pike Howe across Stickle Ghyll.

04.03.08-027

Harrison Stickle and Stickle Ghyll.

04.03.08-032

Lingmoor Fell.

04.03.08-034

There was a strong, icy wind at Stickle Tarn.

04.03.08-039

Harrison Stickle from the dam on Stickle Tarn.

04.03.08-043

Pavey Ark.

04.03.08-049

Harrison Stickle, Stickle Tarn and Bright Beck.

04.03.08-056

The Coniston fells across Stickle Tarn.

04.03.08-069

Casper with snowy nose.

04.03.08-070

Looking north to Sergeant Man from the climb to Pavey Ark.

04.03.08-074

The summit of Pavey Ark.

04.03.08-077

The Helvellyn range from the summit.

04.03.08-089

Casper in the sunshine which belies the cold wind up here.

04.03.08-091

Harrison Stickle from Pavey Ark.

04.03.08-096

High Raise from the summit wall.

04.03.08-099

Looking back to Thunacar Knott from the path to Sergeant Man - only two sets of footprints up here this morning.

04.03.08-104

Icicles on Sergeant Man with a view to distant Windermere.

04.03.08-113

Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Esk Pike from Sergeant Man.

04.03.08-114

Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle with the Coniston fells beyond.

04.03.08-118

Helvellyn and Fairfield to the east.

04.03.08-119

Bowfell from a cold looking summit.

04.03.08-125

The mist was swirling on and off the summit of High Raise.

04.03.08-129

Looking northwards to Skiddaw it looks as though there is less snow up that way.

04.03.08-130

The northern and coldest side of High Raise.

04.03.08-136

Great End and the Scafells.

04.03.08-138

Bowfell.

04.03.08-149

Esk Pike and the Scafells.

04.03.08-152

Great Gable looks like it is on fire with the great plume of cloud emanating from the top.

04.03.08-161

Cold wind shelter on Thunacar Knott.

04.03.08-165

Bowfell from the summit of Thunacar Knott.

04.03.08-179

Pike o' Stickle and the Crinkle Crags.

04.03.08-181

Heading for Pike o' Stickle.

04.03.08-185

Monochrome.

04.03.08-187

Looking across Mickleden to Bowfell, Rossett Gill to the right.

04.03.08-188

Crinkle Crags across The Band.

04.03.08-193

Lingmoor Fell and the Coniston fells across Mickleden and Oxendale.

04.03.08-198

Looking to Loft Crag and Windermere from the descent of Pike o' Stickle. Harrison Stickle is on the left.

04.03.08-204

Bowfell and Pike o' Stickle from Loft Crag.

04.03.08-218

Harrison Stickle.

04.03.08-219

Crossing Dungeon Ghyll.

04.03.08-226

Pike o' Blisco with Coniston beyond from the descent to Great Langdale.

04.03.08-231

Loft Crag and Gimmer Crag.

04.03.08-238

Almost back to valley level.

04.03.08-244

The Langdale Pikes from Chapel Stile.

High Raise

Walked on 28/06/2005

Start point: Stonethwaite (NY 262 137)

Stonethwaite – Eagle Crag (374) – Sergeant’s Crag (375) – High Raise –  Low White Stones (376) – Lining Crag (377) – Stonethwaite

Distance: 7.9 miles     Total Ascent: 837 metres     Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm, 26°C.

It was a warm one today, 22°C when we set off and getting warmer all the time. Every step was a step towards heaven, one of those days you dream all winter about. The climb up to Eagle Crag is very steep from Stonethwaite and the sun beating down did nothing to ease that, once up there it is a great walk with lovely views along Langstrath to the Scafells.

High Raise

High Raise route map.

High Raise - 28th June 001

Stonethwaite Beck from Stonethwaite Bridge.

High Raise - 28th June 003

Eagle Crag and Sergeant's Crag at the head of the Stonethwaite Valley.

High Raise - 28th June 007

Langstrath Beck, Angus has a shakedown after cooling off.

High Raise - 28th June 012

Borrowdale from Eagle Crag.

High Raise - 28th June 013

Langstrath from Eagle Crag.

High Raise - 28th June 021

It was so hot today - Angus found this muddy pool which had the consistency of melted chocolate - nice!

High Raise - 28th June 024

Sergeant's Crag from Eagle Crag.

High Raise - 28th June 026

High Raise - 28th June 031

Looking across a reedy tarn on Sergeant's Crag to the Scafells.

High Raise - 28th June 035

High Raise from Low White Stones.

High Raise - 28th June 040

Greenup from Lining Crag.

High Raise - 28th June 047

Looking back to Lining Crag.

High Raise - 28th June 051

The farm at Stonethwaite.

The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 10/03/2005

Start point: New Dungeon Ghyll Car Park (NY 295 064)

New Dungeon Ghyll – Thorn Crag – Loft Crag – Pike O’Stickle – Thunacar Knott – High Raise – Sergeant Man – Pavey Ark – Harrison Stickle – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 8.2 miles     Total Ascent: 1017 metres     Time Taken: 3 hours 50 minutes

Weather: Warmer than of late with the tops in and out of mist all day.

A return visit to old favourites The Langdale Pikes today – it’s a little while since I’ve done them so this round made a nice change today. With it being Easter soon, this area becomes very busy so I thought I’d better get out while the place was virtually deserted…

The Langdale Pikes

The Langdale Pikes route map.

The Langdale Pikes 3D

3D image of the walk route.

The Langdale Pikes  - 10.03.05 001

Pike O' Blisco and Great Knott across Oxendale from the ascent to Thorn Crag.

panorama2_small

Lingmoor Fell and Side Pike across The Langdale Valley.

The Langdale Pikes  - 10.03.05 026

Pike O' Stickle from Loft Crag.

The Langdale Pikes  - 10.03.05 029

The mist hangs on Loft Crag from Pike O' Stickle.

panorama5_small

The Langdale Pikes from the back, on the way to Thunacar Knott. Thorn Crag - extreme left, Loft Crag - left of centre and Pike O'Stickle, right.

The Langdale Pikes  - 10.03.05 041

The frozen summit tarn on Thunacar Knott.

The Langdale Pikes  - 10.03.05 045

High Raise summit looking along Langstrath. Happy Birthday Angus - 9 yesterday!

panorama6_small

Bow Fell and Esk Pike.

panorama7_annotated_small

Easterly view from Pavey Ark.

The Langdale Pikes  - 10.03.05 059

Looking along Great Langdale to Windermere from Pavey Ark.

The Langdale Pikes  - 10.03.05 060

Harrison Stickle from Pavey Ark.

The Langdale Pikes  - 10.03.05 076

Waterfall below Thorn Crag.

panorama8_small

Looking along Oxendale at the end of the walk, the cloud has cleared now.

The Lion & The Lamb

Walked on 24/08/2004

Start point: Grasmere (NY 337 076)

Grasmere – Easedale – Easedale Tarn – Tarn Crag (140) – Codale Head (141) – Sergeant Man (142) – High Raise (143) – Calf Crag (144) – Gibson Knott (145) – Helm Crag (146) – Grasmere

Weather: Sunny at first, rain later.

Today’s walk is a circuit of Grasmere Common, taking in the ever popular Easedale Tarn and the high point of High Raise.

Car parking for this walk is in the village of Grasmere, the popular car park for walks in this area on the Easedale Road has now been transformed into a mini housing estate!

Setting off in bright sunshine (surprising as it was pouring down earlier), I followed the Easedale Road up to Easedale, over the bridge and through an iron gate onto the well defined rocky path.

The Lion and The Lamb

24th August - High Raise 003

Helm Crag from Easedale. The path follows the stream with Sourmilk Gill waterfalls visible ahead and ascends adjacent to them. The falls were in full spate due to the amount of rain over the past few days.

24th August - High Raise 006

Sourmilk Gill waterfalls. Continuing upwards, the still well defined path leads to the lovely and popular Easedale Tarn.

24th August - High Raise 009

Helm Crag from Easedale Tarn. Visible up to the right is Tarn Crag; I crossed Sourmilk Gill where it exits the tarn and followed the path around the tarn and then a diagonal ascent through the bracken to Tarn Crag.

24th August - High Raise 012

Tarn Crag from Easedale Tarn. The summit of Tarn Crags is not easy to determine at the best of times as there are many rocky knolls, it was made harder as the mist descended over the top as I arrived. The highest point is up to the right as you arrive on the summit plateau.

24th August - High Raise 016

Tarn Crag summitCodale Tarn, right. Carrying on westerly along the plateau, Codale Head can be seen ahead with Codale Tarn down to the left. There is an easy ascent to the large cairn; the remains of an old fence leads the way to the summit from half way up.

24th August - High Raise 019

Codale Tarn, right. Carrying on westerly along the plateau, Codale Head can be seen ahead with Codale Tarn down to the left. There is an easy ascent to the large cairn; the remains of an old fence leads the way to the summit from half way up.

24th August - High Raise 027

High Raise from Codale Head. To the south-west lies the attractive pyramid of Sergeant Man and it is an easy traverse to reach it.

24th August - High Raise 028

Sergeant Man from Codale Head

24th August - High Raise 034

Codale Head and Sergeant Man from the walk to High Raise.

24th August - High Raise 030

Bright Beck from Sergeant Man. The clouds were lifting now giving fabulous glimpses of Bright Beck and the Langdale Pikes. From Sergeant Man, High Raise was an easy, if somewhat boggy, stroll - there is a trig column on the bouldery summit. From High Raise summit the views were clear - it looked as though it was raining elsewhere, especially over Keswick.

24th August - High Raise 038

Pike O' Stickle from the summit of High Raise.

24th August - High Raise 040

Looking across the Langstrath Valley to Glaramara with the High Stile ridge beyond. From High Raise I headed towards Codale Head again; I missed the path here and ended up descending a bit too far to Ferngill Crag. Once I realised my mistake, I contoured across to Broadstone Head and across the Greenup Edge/Far Easedale pass and an easy ascent to the summit of Calf Crag. Here the heavens opened as I arrived and from here on it was a monsoon all the way.

24th August - High Raise 044

Looking along Far Easedale to Helm Crag from the walk to Calf Crag. Heron Pike is in the distance.

24th August - High Raise 045

Loughrigg in the centre distance from the summit of Calf Crag. From Calf Crag, it is a pleasant walk along an undulating ridge to reach Gibson Knott, the summit being marked by a large cairn.

24th August - High Raise 001

Helm Crag from the summit of Gibson Knott. Helm Crag can now be seen in the distance and it is another undulating walk to reach it followed by a sharp climb at the end. Once on Helm Crag ridge, the first large piece of rock is known as 'The Howitzer' due to its appearance from Dunmail Raise. The top of these rocks is the true summit of Helm Crag.

24th August - High Raise 052

Steel Fell and Dunmail Raise from The Howitzer. Further along the ridge there are two lumps of rock, one large and one small. These are referred to as 'The Lion and The Lamb' due to their appearance from below.

24th August - High Raise 053

The Howitzer

24th August - High Raise 058

The Lion and The Lamb on the summit of Helm Crag. Carrying on along the ridge, the obvious path descends toward Grasmere. Taking the path at the gap in the wall, down past the houses, across the road to another path which takes you to Easedale and the original path at the start of the walk. From here it is an easy walk back to Grasmere.

Grasmere Epic

Walked on 11/03/2004

Grasmere – Steel Fell (186) – Calf Crag – Greenup Edge – Ullscarf (187) – Long Crag – Sergeant’s Crag (188) – Eagle Crag (189) – Sergeant’s Crag – Low White Stones – High Raise – Thunacar Knott (190) – Sergeant Man – Blea Rigg (191) – Silver How (192) – Grasmere

A raw and bitterly cold day, icy wind on the tops with lots of snow.

Grasmere Epic

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1001

Helm Crag from the ascent of Steel Fell. Loughrigg is to the distant left.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1007

Steel Fell summit cairn.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1013

Two un-named tarns on the walk to Calf Crag, Greenup Edge behind.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1016

Calf Crag summit.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1017

A frozen Ullscarf summit cairn.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1025

Greenup Valley.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1028

Ullscarf.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1033

Sergeant's Crag summit.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1034

Borrowdale from Eagle Crag.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1038

Icicle formation on Low White Stones.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1041

High Raise Trig. column.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1044

High Raise from Thunacar Knott.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1047

Sergeant Man summit looking towards Stickle Tarn and Pavey Ark.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1054

Stickle Tarn, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark across Bright Beck.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1056

Two Tarns - Codale Tarn.....

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1057

and Easedale Tarn.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1059

Pike O'Stickle from Blea Rigg summit.

Grasmere Epic - 11th March 1061

Grasmere and Rydal Water from Silver How.

Hard Knott

Walked on 18/05/2003

Hard Knott Roman Fort – Hard Knott (25) – Hard Knott Pass

Dsc00311

James on Hard Knott summit.

Dsc00312

The Eskdale valley from Border End.

The next walk was 27th May 2003 as follows:

Hartsop – Hayeswater – The Knott (26) – Rampsgill Head (27) – High Raise (28) – Kidsty Pike (29) – High Street (30) – Thornthwaite Crag (31) – Gray Crag (32) – Hartsop

Walking Diary

  • Walla Crag 27/03/2025
  • Bowfell 19/03/2025
  • Farewell Fletcher 27/02/2025
  • Scafell Pike & Lingmell 16/01/2025
  • Blencathra 10/01/2025

Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Information

  • Striding Edge
  • T&C’s
  • Privacy
  • Links