Seat Sandal and a Wander
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 5:41 pmIts been a while since I got myself out in the hills and probably longer since I last got the time to write a report of my experience. How surprised I was when I was asked if I fancied a weekend away in the Lakes. Yes indeed I replied (of course) and was encouraged to book a stay at the Red Lion in Grasmere. I must say it did not take much encouragement and quickly booked and into the diary.
Having got to Grasmere on the Saturday about 1pm we decided to have a wander up Silver How, I think it is Carol’s favorite as this is the first fell I took her up whilst staying at the Prince of Wales Hotel also in Grasmere. A pleasant walk was had and we were presented with some wonderful views especially towards the Crinkles and Bowfell.
The next morning I looked out of the bedroom window to a clear blue sky with snow on the top of Fairfield and Seat Sandal. I had not at this time formulated a plan where to walk, but decided that as I had avoided Seat Sandal on my many trips over Dunmail Raise and indeed needed to bag it, the time and the location we were in was right to tackle it.
We were parked up at Raise Beck at 0850 with not a sole around, but a little cloud had dropped onto the fell top otherwise blue skies all around, I was hopeful that the weather forecast would be correct today and we would be treated to a fine day. We continued up the path alongside Raise Beck steadily climbing and passing two delightful waterfalls on the way, there are no difficulties up this path. The views behind towards Steel Fell were very good, as we approached the summit of the path there was a snow covered view of Fairfield ahead at which point we turned right and up the slope towards Seat Sandals top. The views were becoming clearer as we ascended with Grisedale Tarn and the surrounding fells standing out asking for its picture to be taken. The temperature was dropping as we climbed and it was a matter of gloves off and gloves back on quickly to take any pictures.
Seat Sandal summit is a barren affair, however the views are good towards the coast and especially Grisedale and St Sunday Crag, we didn’t hang around long up here it was too cold and certainly not a coffee stop today. We descended down to Grisedale Hause which is pretty steep in parts and requires hands in places, at the bottom a nice sheep fold was identified as a belated coffee stop.
The picture looking to Dollywagon and Fairfield from here is quite stunning, as we sat with our coffee and Twix we discussed our next objective as the time was only 1120, there was plenty of daytime left to wander a little more rather than go back. So off we went towards Dollywaggon Pike around the tarn, it looked a long way up to the top up the well constructed old pony route to the top. Looking back to the way we came down Seat Sandal, looks even steeper than it actually is and we asked each other if we actually came down that way!!
Again on the way up and also at the top we were greeted with some wonderful views towards Fairfield and Cofa Pike with Grisdale itself looking particularly picturesque. It was really getting cold now and I felt it more when taking my gloves off to take a picture.
I always find it strange when I see that isolated fence post close to the summit of Dollywaggon and try to imagine how important it must have been in days gone to have these fences in such remote and inhospitable places.
Onward towards Helvellyn via High Crag and Nethermost Crag, the wind was blowing a little up here and already small cornices were forming on the cliff edge. This is a very nice walk at any time of the year, but today with the snow and wonderful vistas it was special. Another cup of coffee at the summit shelter on Helvellyn which of course was not deserted after which we descended back towards Wythburn and a track alongside the main A591 to the car at Dunmail Raise.
A great day out and was now looking forward to a pint of Jennings Cumberland at the Red Lion!
Cheers
Having got to Grasmere on the Saturday about 1pm we decided to have a wander up Silver How, I think it is Carol’s favorite as this is the first fell I took her up whilst staying at the Prince of Wales Hotel also in Grasmere. A pleasant walk was had and we were presented with some wonderful views especially towards the Crinkles and Bowfell.
The next morning I looked out of the bedroom window to a clear blue sky with snow on the top of Fairfield and Seat Sandal. I had not at this time formulated a plan where to walk, but decided that as I had avoided Seat Sandal on my many trips over Dunmail Raise and indeed needed to bag it, the time and the location we were in was right to tackle it.
- Seat Sandal from Hotel window
- Looking to Helm Crag from Dunmail Raise
- Track up Raise Beck
We were parked up at Raise Beck at 0850 with not a sole around, but a little cloud had dropped onto the fell top otherwise blue skies all around, I was hopeful that the weather forecast would be correct today and we would be treated to a fine day. We continued up the path alongside Raise Beck steadily climbing and passing two delightful waterfalls on the way, there are no difficulties up this path. The views behind towards Steel Fell were very good, as we approached the summit of the path there was a snow covered view of Fairfield ahead at which point we turned right and up the slope towards Seat Sandals top. The views were becoming clearer as we ascended with Grisedale Tarn and the surrounding fells standing out asking for its picture to be taken. The temperature was dropping as we climbed and it was a matter of gloves off and gloves back on quickly to take any pictures.
- Steel Fell
- A cold looking Fairfield
- To Seat Sandal
- Grisedale Tarn, Dollwaggon Pk, St Sunday Crag and Fairfield.
Seat Sandal summit is a barren affair, however the views are good towards the coast and especially Grisedale and St Sunday Crag, we didn’t hang around long up here it was too cold and certainly not a coffee stop today. We descended down to Grisedale Hause which is pretty steep in parts and requires hands in places, at the bottom a nice sheep fold was identified as a belated coffee stop.
- Summit Pano
The picture looking to Dollywagon and Fairfield from here is quite stunning, as we sat with our coffee and Twix we discussed our next objective as the time was only 1120, there was plenty of daytime left to wander a little more rather than go back. So off we went towards Dollywaggon Pike around the tarn, it looked a long way up to the top up the well constructed old pony route to the top. Looking back to the way we came down Seat Sandal, looks even steeper than it actually is and we asked each other if we actually came down that way!!
- Fairfield from the climb up Dollywaggon Pk
Again on the way up and also at the top we were greeted with some wonderful views towards Fairfield and Cofa Pike with Grisdale itself looking particularly picturesque. It was really getting cold now and I felt it more when taking my gloves off to take a picture.
- Grisedale and Place Fell
- That Post!
- View from Nethermost Pike
- Helvellyn and Catstycam
- Red Tarn
- Thirlmere on the way down
- The way back to Dunmail Raise
A great day out and was now looking forward to a pint of Jennings Cumberland at the Red Lion!
Cheers
