| Walk: | Patterdale, Arnison Crag, Trough Head, Birks, St Sunday Crag, Deepdale Hause, Grisedale Tarn, Grisedale Valley | ||
| Start Point: | Car park opposite Patterdale Hotel | Grid Reference: | NY 360 159 |
| Distance: | 9.3 miles | Ascent: | 3,100 feet |
| Time: | 6 hours | ||
| Weather: | A mainly dry day but mist on the fells and a light drizzle on our return | ||
| Comments: | On reaching the top of Kirkstone Pass we
appeared to be leaving the gloom of Lancashire behind with Place
Fell in sunshine and blue skies to the north. The eight of us
managed to climb Arnison Crag in the sunshine but, unfortunately, as
we walked further north the clouds came lower and by Birks we were
in mist which the cold wind did not manage to clear. On St Sunday
Crag the mist lifted a little for the cameras to come out for photos
of the top. Lunch was at Grisedale Tarn where a group of intrepid
students with a rubber dinghy had been sampling the silt at the
bottom of the tarn for their Phd on air pollution. Further down the
track we were surprised to see somebody pushing a wheelbarrow! When
we caught up with him it was full of wellies and had been part of
his outdoor art exhibition on the fell side. Just as we arrived back
at Patterdale a drizzly shower started, too late for the waterproofs
and not enough to soak us. |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
The sun catches Ullswater and the fells behind as we start our ascent
Arnison Crag is a small hill with a great viewpoint over Ullswater
Rays of sunshine break through the clouds to highlight Hartsop
Having descended to Trough Head . . .
it is time for elevenses before we start the climb to Birks
It's the steepest climb of the day - and this is only the start!
The mist starts to close in as we reach Birks - the small cairn on the left
We have extra layers on by the time we reach St Sunday Crag . . .
where Ian adds a rock to the cairn . . .
By the time we descend from Deepdale Hause at least we are in the lee of Cofa Pike . . .
and before long reach Grisedale Tarn, our lunch spot . . .
not that you can see much of the tarn - just a few rocks out the outflow
near which a Dunlin looks for its dinner . . .
and Ray grabs a close up shot
We drop below the mist as we head down Grisedale Valley . . .
to Ruthwaite Lodge . . .
with its memorial stone
Water cascades down Ruthwaite Cove . . .
and just left of centre there is a large opening . . .
which Ian and Lesley decide to explore
Anyone for a spot of 'canyoning'?
The leading group crosses the footbridge . . .
whilst the 'stragglers' follow on behind
We were surprised to spot rock climbers on Thornhow Crag
I hope the water isn't too deep John!