Retreat to the quiet of the Western Lakes
Date : Saturday Mar 15th 2003
Place : Steel Fell, Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag, Grasmere, Cumbria.
The Walk : with Ann, and the dogs.
Time and distance : A late morning start, and an approx 5.5 mile walk, with total 2,244 feet of ascent.
Weather : Blue skies and sun all the way. but a muggy high pressure haze altered long distant views.
We turned off the Dunmail Raise road into the small hamlet of Town Head,
and parked by the river bridge at Gill Foot.
The river between Steel Fell and Calf Crag is the Green Burn Gill,
and flows out of the delightfully named Green Burn Bottom..
We left the road and climbed steadily but easily up through the fields on the eastern (right hand) side of the valley.
As we climbed higher, we had the view of our eventual target, Helm Crag, with its distinctive summit rocks,
the Howitzer, the Lion and lamb, call it what you will.
Over to the west, looking more into the haze, the distinctive outlines of Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark, in the Langdales
with Tarn Crag (middle) and the Gibson Knott ridge in the foreground.
Holly cooling off in a peat bath - Dirty ?? Who me ??
Distant views, although hazy, were a delight as we rounded the summit of Steel Fell. Below is Thirlmere,
with Blencathra behind.
Also for a brief time we had a view over Greenup Edge of Gable and Great End.
A "Wainright suggested" detour, to the right of the ridge, to view Wyth Burn Valley and the top of Thirlmere.
A pre lunch swim - for the dogs only - the gentle beeze had a definite cool feel about it.
The O.S. must have listened toWainrights comments, as the tarns do now feature on the map
Sunshine and shorts in March. Hairy legs are obviously an advantage when it comes to keeping warm !!
Turned the corner at Calf Crag, and followed the undulating ridge towards Gibson and Helm.
The westerly sun silhouetting Tarn Crag, and sparkling in the waters of Far Easdale.
Gibson Knott, the highest part of the ridge, deserving of a small cairn, but only just.
Helm Crag summit with Steel Fell and Dunmail Raise in the background.
The route of our earlier ascent was clearly laid out before us.
A delightful summit, that involves a little scramble to reach the top.
Ann was first to the second summit rock at the southern end of the fell . . .
which gives lofty views of Grasmere village and its lake.
( Helm Crag was Holly's 199th summit )
A steep descent off the eastern side of Helm, took us down to the foot bridge over Green Burn Gill, and back to the car.
The pool here would be deep enough for a swim, given a significant increase in water temperature.
Post script : How big is that load, what is it,
and how does he intend to get that lot through Ambleside, even if it is not the rush hour ??
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