Height: 841 metres / 2759 feet Grid reference: NY 36930 13404 Category: The Eastern Fells
The summit of St. Sunday Crag
Gavel Pike and the Far Eastern fells from St. Sunday Crag
Cofa Pike to the left and Saint Sunday Crag from Fairfield
Start Point: Deepdale Bridge (NY 399 144)
Deepdale Bridge – Deepdale – Greenhow End – Fairfield – Cofa Pike – Saint Sunday Crag – Gavel Pike – Lord’s Seat – Deepdale Bridge
Distance: 7.3 miles Total Ascent: 915 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 09:15
Weather: Overcast with showers, 8°C
The promised clear weather never materialised today, in fact it was the opposite as the clouds and clag closed in as the day went on. I was looking forward to this one as a new route for me, I must go back and do it on a fine day as I think the views would be brilliant from Greenhow End. This route will feature in a future edition of Trail Magazine.
Aw...just look at that little face! Fletcher, now with full fell dog haircut!
Fletcher, full of smiles! On Sunday 9th November I took the dogs out but it was hammering it down in the south Lakes.
Dull at Brown Howe, Coniston Water.
We ended up back at Burney for a quick fell walk. We were completely sodden! On with today's walk...
Place Fell from Deepdale Bridge. There was a glimmer of light and it was looking (dare I say it?) promising.
Arnison Crag above Lane Head
Looking back along the track, Angletarn Pikes up to the right...somewhere
Dougal...down...wait...down...wait...wait...wait...good lad! Dougal posing on the old stone bridge crossing Coldcove Gill
Deepdale Beck
Mart Crag reflected in a small tarn. Above Mart Crag (in the mist) is Greenhow End, today's route of ascent
A bit damp and a bit steep climbing up Greenhow End, looking back into Deepdale. There wasn't much to take photos of for a good while after this. Dougal was recognised on Fairfield by a couple of StridingEdge fans, I helped a chap get the right path from Fairfield to Cofa Pike and Dougal was again recognised on the climb to St. Sunday!
Nothing to see on St. Sunday (apart from big Doogs!)
Heading down to Lord's Seat and a break in the clouds
On Lord's Seat, Birks in the distance
Looking back up to Lord's Seat and Gavel Pike. It was a bit of a boggy mess descending from here and we were sodden for the second day running! On the way back from our shop in Bowness...
Sunshine across Windermere!
Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)
Patterdale – Hole-in-the-Wall – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike – High Crag – Dollywaggon Pike – Seat Sandal – Deepdale Hause – Saint Sunday Crag – Birks – Patterdale
Distance: 11 miles Total Ascent: 1419 metres Time Taken: 6 hours Start Time: 06:45
Weather: Sunny and clear. 13C
I was up early this morning to make the most of the expected good weather to come for the day. I wasn’t disappointed and it turned into a fantastic and memorable day on the fells with incredible clarity and an inversion over the Lake District as well. When I set off from Patterdale this morning (in the dark!), the temperature gauge was showing -1C but once the sun rose it was really warm and I ended up completing the walk in shirt sleeves.
Grisedale route map.
It was below freezing when I left Patterdale and pretty chilly climbing to the Hole-in-the-Wall, here looking back towards Patterdale with Ullswater under the early morning mist.
It was below freezing when I left Patterdale and pretty chilly climbing to the Hole-in-the-Wall, here looking back towards Patterdale with Ullswater under the early morning mist.
Sun rising but not visible here yet. That mist is following me up the valley below.
The sun rising over High Street.
All a-glow heading for the Hole-in-the-Wall.
Beautiful sunrise and the inversion has flooded into Grisedale.
Climbing the steep section of the path.
Looking to Birkhouse Moor from the Hole. All the low lying ground to the east is covered with mist.
Helvellyn and Catstycam at dawn.
A panoramic view.
Looking back from the climb to High Spying How.
Even the normally dull as ditchwater Great Mell Fell looks good today, taking on a special interest in the inversion.
The Mell Fells and Gowbarrow Fell rise from the mist, Sheffield Pike in the foreground.
The mighty Striding Edge.
Flat calm Red Tarn.
The view from High Spying How.
Crossing The Edge.
Red Tarn and Catstycam.
Panoramic Red Tarn.
Looking down on Striding Edge.
There is a big inversion to the south too looking over the cross shelter. In fact the whole Lake District is surrounded by the inversion.
The view from the summit of Helvellyn.
Dougal and Casper on the summit.
The 'Isle of Skiddaw', the Vale of Keswick is beneath the cloud somewhere.
A panoramic view of the Vale of Keswick.
Swirral Edge and Catstycam, the Pennines beyond Ullswater.
Cross Fell beyond Ullswater.
Looking into the bright sunshine from Helvellyn.
Looking to the south west from the path to Nethermost Pike. That distant fell (Black Combe), in solitary peeping out in the clouds intrigued me - I wonder what it would be like to be stood on the top of it? Actually, I have had a similar experience on Hard Knott with Connie (here) and you never know whether you will actually ever get above the cloud.
All clear over Bowfell, Scafell and Great Gable.
Striding Edge.
Misty Grisedale.
The view from Nethermost Pike.
Casper takes it easy heading for Dollywaggon Pike.
The Solway Firth is also under inversion between Robinson and Grasmoor to the north.
Dollywaggon Pike from the steep climb to Seat Sandal.
Thirlmere under cloud and Skiddaw from Seat Sandal.
The Vale of Grasmere.
Thirlmere
Saint Sunday Crag and Fairfield from the descent of Seat Sandal.
Seat Sandal from the start of the climb to Fairfield.
I took the path to Deepdale Hause which turned out to be a good one to get to Saint Sunday, well worth a go. It was cold along here though in the shade looking down on Grisedale Tarn.
Seat Sandal and Grisedale Tarn.
Fairfield and Cofa Pike from Deepdale Hause.
Dollywaggon Pike across Grisedale.
Looking west from the climb to Saint Sunday Crag.
The Helvellyn ridge.
The summit of Saint Sunday Crag.
Heading for Birks below, Place Fell beyond.
Dougal and Casper on Birks.
Looking back to Saint Sunday from Birks.
On the edge of heaven?
Ullswater panoramic.
Place Fell.
Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)
Patterdale – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike – Dollywaggon Pike – Hause Gap – Fairfield – Cofa Pike – Saint Sunday Crag – Patterdale
Distance: 11 miles Total Ascent: 1410 metres Time Taken: 7 hours
Weather: Sunny spells, icy wind. 3ºC.
The snow has begun to thaw and it was all a bit dull and overcast when I set off from Patterdale this morning. Once up to the Hole-in-the-Wall though, there were regular sunny spells and the crossing of Striding Edge is a s fantastic as ever in winter conditions. I lengthened the walk by climbing to Fairfield after the Helvellyn ridge but the wind was mighty strong and cold up there and it made walking quite difficult at times. The days are pretty short at the moment and the descent was mirrored by the setting of the sun.
NOTE: This walk was done in winter conditions and it can be extremely hazardous up on Striding Edge in this weather. Just because I did it with my dog doesn’t mean to say you can. Please make sure you are properly equipped for the conditions.
It was all a bit overcast when I set off into Grisedale. Here the path to the Hole-in-the-Wall can be seen running diagonally right to left with the wall visible in the centre.
Looking to the head of Grisedale, Saint Sunday Crag to the left.
Clearing out a bit now looking back to Place Fell.
Climbing the path.
Dollywaggon Pike and Nethermost Pike under cloud.
At the Hole-in-the-Wall. The crampons were on by here.
Looking back to Birkhouse Moor and Ullswater.
Heading for Low Spying How.
Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstycam.
Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Low Spying How.
Who's the King of the Castle?
The first view of Striding Edge.
The cloud was constantly clearing then swirling back in on the climb.
There was quite a contrast with a lot less snow on the Far Eastern fells.
I caught up with group from Sheffield on the crossing of Striding Edge. They were much hardier than me as they had camped out at Red Tarn last night.
A tricky crossing over the icy rocks. Crampons and an ice axe were essential today. The Dixon memorial is to the right.
Further along Striding Edge.
These photos make it look clear but the mist was still swirling on and around us as we crossed.
Looking back, almost at The Chimney now.
The Chimney.
The climb to reach Helvellyn.
A misty Striding Edge from the climb.
That's a clearer view.
A great view of the full length of Striding Edge.
Here's a view looking down the climb to show conditions when the mist was down and the equipment required to get up here!
The Gough Memorial.
No view from the summit for us today.
Heading for Nethermost Pike.
A bit further along the ridge and the mist has cleared again.
Fairfield, Dollywaggon Pike and High Crag from Nethermost Pike.
A view to the west.
Heading for Dollywaggon Pike with Fairfield and Great Rigg in view with a glimpse of Windermere.
Dollywaggon Pike.
High Crag from Dollywaggon Pike.
The old post marks the start of the steep descent to Grisedale Tarn.
Snowbeard on the descent.
Saint Sunday Crag and Fairfield above Grisedale Tarn.
All clear over Fairfield.
Once at Hause Gap the wind really picked up and the climb to Fairfield was pretty tough. This view is through to the Coniston fells. This is where I took my crampons off too as they were more of a hindrance rather than a help.
Seat Sandal from the climb.
The Far Eastern fells from Fairfield.
Mushroom cloud over Helvellyn.
The Helvellyn ridge recently walked. Crampons back on again for the steep and icy descent to Cofa Pike.
Saint Sunday Crag from Cofa Pike.
Helvellyn and Striding Edge in sunshine.
Grisedale Tarn and the view to the west from Deepdale Hause. Crampons off again!
The moon rising over the eastern fells from Saint Sunday Crag.
Casper at the summit of Saint Sunday Crag.
Looking across to Helvellyn and Catstycam.
It was amazing how quickly the sun began to set with the clouds over Helvellyn already tinged with red.
Sunset on High Street.
The moon rising over Place Fell.
Start point: Deepdale Bridge (NY 399 144)
Deepdale Bridge – Gale Crag – Hartsop Above How – Hart Crag – Fairfield – Cofa Pike – Saint Sunday Crag – Gavel Pike – Birks – Arnison Crag – Deepdale Bridge
Distance: 10.3 miles Total Ascent: 1431 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes
Weather: Clear and cold, especially on the highest tops. 9oC.
After a cold and frosty night, it was a really clear day today with lovely blue skies and autumnal colours all around Deepdale. The Hartsop above How ridge is a fine walk and the return across Fairfield and St. Sunday Crag makes a lovely circuit of the valley. Angus and Casper managed to get recognised again on St. Sunday Crag by a StridingEdge fan, and (by default) so did I!
Autumnal Deepdale at the start of the walk.
Gavel Pike on St. Sunday Crag from the Hartsop above How ridge.
St. Sunday Crag across Deepdale.
Looking back to Place Fell.
Angletarn Pikes.
St. Sunday Crag.
Onward and upward - looking back to Place Fell and Angletarn Pikes.
Looking along the ridge to Hart Crag and Fairfield.
Angus.
A pair of Beardies on Hartsop above How. Down below in Dovedale, I could see foxhounds and hear the constant shouts and blowing horn of the huntsmen. Not sure what they hunt these days, though!
Looking across an icy pool to Hart Crag and Fairfield.
Fairfield.
Looking down the Hartsop above How ridge from Hart Crag.
Shooting into direct sunlight, not a good idea - but I liked the way the sun lit up Windermere and Morecambe Bay from Hart Crag.
The summit of Hart Crag.
The western fells from Fairfield, the familiar shape of Great Gable to the left.
...and a wider panorama.
Great Gable.
Looks busy over on Helvellyn.
Dollywagon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn across Grisedale.
Cofa Pike and St. Sunday Crag.
Seat Sandal above Grisedale Tarn and the view westwards beyond from Cofa Pike.
Dollywagon Pike.
The summit of St. Sunday Crag - it's starting to cloud a bit now.
Gavel Pike and the Far Eastern fells from St. Sunday Crag. I could hear the bellowing of stags somewhere down below from here.
Ullswater and Birks from Gavel Pike.
Birks.
Hartsop on the descent from Birks.
Ullswater and Great Mell Fell from Trough Head.
Hartsop from the summit of Arnison Crag.
Just the three of us here on Arnison Crag.
Place Fell and Autumn in Deepdale.
Start point: Cow Bridge, Hartsop (NY 403 134)
Cow Bridge – Gale Crag (322) – Hartsop Above How (323) – Hart Crag – Fairfield – Cofa Pike – Saint Sunday Crag –Gavel Pike – Birks (324) – Arnison Crag (325) – Cow Bridge
Distance: 9.7 miles Total Ascent: 1385 metres Time Taken: 4 hours
Weather: Sunny with a strong breeze. 8oC in the valley rising to 12oC. Icy cold on the tops.
I had a great high level ridge walk today along the Hartsop above How ridge, up to Hart Crag and Fairfield and then back down along the Saint Sunday ridge. It was a pleasant surprise to see the sunshine, but it was deceptively cold on the tops with a bitter wind blowing. With hindsight I would have been better off starting and finishing at Deepdale Bridge and walking the full Hartsop above How ridge.
Fairfield route map.
Elevation profile of the route.
3D image of the walk route.
Caudale Moor, Kirkstone Pass and Red Screes in early sunlight from the steep ascent to the Hartsop Above How ridge.
Hartsop Dodd over Brothers Water. To the left are Gray Crag and High Street.
Place Fell from Gale Crag summit. Great Mell Fell can be seen to the left.
The view along the ridge from the summit of Hartsop above How.
Dove Crag.
Looking back along Hartsop above How from Hart Crag.
The view from Rydal Head. Windermere, Esthwaite Water and Coniston Water are all visible.
Fairfield summit.
Cofa Pike to the left and Saint Sunday Crag.
Grisedale Tarn and the Dollywagon Pike - Nethermost Pike - Helvellyn ridge.
Striding Edge and Helvellyn from Saint Sunday Crag. The peak of Catstycam is to the right, then Raise and the Dodd's.
Gavel Pike and Saint Sunday Crag from Birks.
Ullswater from Arnison Crag.
Arnison Crag.
Start point: Patterdale (NY 390 160)
Patterdale – Pinnacle Ridge – Gavel Pike (72) – Saint Sunday Crag (73) – Cofa Pike (74) – Fairfield (75) – Seat Sandal (76) – Grisedale Tarn – Patterdale
Weather: Sunny and warm.
Another fine and warm day today for a climb up to Saint Sunday Crag using a new route (for me) to the summit, Pinnacle Ridge, a serious and quite challenging technical grade 3 scramble.
The route begins following the Grisedale Valley path until the far edge of Elmhow Plantation is reached.
Nethermost Pike, Dollywagon Pike and Helvellyn from the entrance to the Grisedale Valley. Following the zigzag path up the slopes of St. Sunday Crag from Elmhow Plantation, a grassy terrace is reached. From here it is a right turn to traverse across the horizontal terrace. On reaching a scree fan, Pinnacle Ridge can be seen above with a large, smooth prominent slab clearly visible. This is known as 'The Cannon'.
Ullswater from the horizontal terrace.
Climbing 'The Cannon'...
and the view from the top of The Cannon.
Onwards and upwards from the Cannon
...and again - don't slip! Past The Cannon, the ridge continues over further prominent pinnacles until a difficult rock pitch is reached.
Climbing the difficult rock pitch. Once this is climbed, its virtually home and dry to reach the lower slopes of Saint Sunday Crag. This is truly an exhilarating way to reach the summit.
Looking down Pinnacle Ridge to the Grisedale Valley below. Once onto St Sunday ridge, it is eastwards first to the 'thumb' of Gavel Pike offering a great view of Ullswater.
Ullswater from Gavel Pike. Then an easy ascent to the summit of Saint Sunday Crag itself.
Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from the slopes of Saint Sunday Crag.
Fairfield from Saint Sunday Crag summit. A descent to Deepdale Hause then another ascent to Cofa Pike before the final rocky ascent to Fairfield - a flat, bouldery plateau.
Seat Sandal and Grisedale Tarn from the descent to Deepdale Hause.
Looking back to Saint Sunday Crag and Gavel Pike from Cofa Pike summit.
Bowfell, The Scafell range and Great Gable from the bouldery summit of Fairfield. From Fairfield it's a steep descent westwards and then a very steep ascent to the summit of Seat Sandal which offers good views over Grasmere.
Seat Sandal summit. From Seat Sandal, a steep descent to Grisedale Tarn and follow the Grisedale Valley path back to Patterdale.
Saint Sunday Crag from Grisedale Valley. Pinnacle Ridge is up there somewhere.
Patterdale – Birkhouse Moor (140) – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike (141) – Dollywaggon Pike (142) – Seat Sandal (143) Fairfield – Cofa Pike – Saint Sunday Crag – Birks – Patterdale
Dollywagon Pike and Nethermost Pike from the Grisedale Valley.
View of Ullswater from the climb up to Birkhouse Moor. Glenridding Dodd is on the left with Place Fell over the water.
The Helvellyn ridge from Birkhouse Moor. L-R Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstycam
...and the same view from Birkhouse Moor summit cairn.
Striding Edge.
View from Helvellyn summit.
Birkhouse Moor and Ullswater from Helvellyn.
Striding Edge from Nethermost Pike summit.
Place Fell and Beda Fell from Nethermost Pike summit.
Dollywagon Pike overlooking Saint Sunday Crag.
Grasmere and Coniston from Seat Sandal summit.
Looking back from Fairfield summit towards Dollywagon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn.
Grisedale Tarn from Cofa Pike.
Looking towards the High Street range from the summit of St. Sunday Crag.
The sun descending behind St. Sunday Crag from Birks summit.
Ambleside – Nab Scar (39) – Heron Pike (40) – Stone Arthur (41) – Great Rigg (42) – Fairfield (43) – St Sunday Crag (44) – Birks (45) – Patterdale – Kirkstone Pass – Ambleside
Windermere from the ascent of Nab Scar.
Nab Scar summit.
Hart Crag and High Pike from Heron Pike summit.
The Fairfield Ridge from Heron Pike.
Stone Arthur summit.
Grasmere from Stone Arthur.
Windermere from Great Rigg summit.
Fairfield from Cofa Pike.
Saint Sunday Crag from Fairfield.
Grisedale Tarn
Saint Sunday Crag summit.
Saint Sunday Crag from Birks.