Start point: Long House, Duddon Valley (SD 239 968)
Long House – Seathwaite Tarn – Troutal Fell – Grey Friar – Fairfield – Calf Cove – Seathwaite Tarn – Long House
Distance: 7 miles Total Ascent: 600 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 45 minutes Start Time: 09:30
Weather: Clearing. 17C
It was completely miserable this morning when I set off in full waterproofs and the rain was like stair rods. Still, how could I disappoint Dougal and Casper who were raring to go for this one? Once up at Seathwaite Tarn I could see it was clearing from the west, the rain clouds were blown away by the strong wind…as was I by the fact the day turned out so well after a wet start! The downside of the day was the Salomon ‘wonder boots’ let in after a prolonged walk through very boggy sections, especially on the return section. It’s back to the drawing board in search of the ultimate pair of boots I’m afraid!
Grey Friar route map.
Long House Gill and the rain was heavy at the start of the walk.
Harter fell across the Duddon Valley.
Wet looking Pikes and Caw.
The Duddon Valley.
Approaching Seathwaite Tarn dam, Troutal Fell to the left and Swirl How ahead.
Following the dam wall.
Tarn Beck outflow from Seathwaite Tarn.
Would you 'Adam and Eve' it? Blue skies coming from the south, the clouds have been blown away by the strong wind.
Seathwaite Tarn, Great Blake Rigg to the left.
All clear over Harter Fell across the Duddon Valley.
Dougal strikes a pose heading for Grey Friar.
Close up on Harter Fell.
Dow Crag.
Doing the Dougal dance - the wind was very strong on the top.
Looking to the west Cumbrian coast and Sellafield across Harter Fell.
The two summit cairns on Grey Friar.
Looking towards the Langdale Pikes from the south easterly and main summit of Grey Friar.
Casper does the honourable thing and hides behind Dougal for shelter on the windswept summit of Grey Friar.
The Scafell range, from the north west cairn.
Moasdale.
Looking across to Harter Fell and what a different day it is now to when I set off...apart from the wind of course, I could hardly stand up on here.
Little Stand and Gaitscale Gill.
Matterhorn Rock.
Brim Fell, The Old Man and Dow Crag.
Big perched boulder, Calf Cove.
Casper watches the world go by.
Dow Crag from falls on Tarn Head Beck.
Sunshine once more back at Brock How amongst the ruined Copper Mines.
Seathwaite Tarn again.
Windy across the tarn.
The view from the dam wall to Harter Fell across the pump house.
It looks cold in there today.
A last look back before heading to the Duddon Valley.