Mothers Day in the fells
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:36 pmWith March looking increasingly like a write off in terms of Wainwright bagging it was a relief to see a fine forecast for Sunday. Only problem was I was due to be on standby at work 
so a deal was struck with a colleague to cover for the grand price of a pack of Grasmere Gingerbread 
enabling Nicola to enjoy mothers day wandering in the fells.
With place and time set, a very early start (clocks going forward) saw us pull up to the lay-by on the A591 just outside of Grasmere on a beautiful hazy Lakeland morning. This isn't the best place to start a walk from as the coaches and cars hurtle by but this is all soon left behind as we started up the bridleway to Patterdale.
There is a choice of three ways up Seat Sandal from here but in an attempt to avoid retracing our steps I decided upon the long curving grassy south ridge. This looks like a very easy gradient from the road but it soon became apparent that it was far steeper than it looked. It turned out to be hard work and quite unforgiving until the summit plateau is reached.
Looking towards the Greenburn Round
Looking towards Grisedale Hause
Helm Crag
St Sunday Crag
Grace and Hughie on Seat Sandal
Grisedale Tarn and St Sunday Crag
Following basking in relatively warm sunshine on the way up the top of Seat Sandal it was decidedly chilly on the top so we ensconced ourselves behind a small crag and enjoyed lunch as we took in the fine if hazy views.
Seat Sandal to Fairfield is no great distance but unfortunately the substantial declivity of Grisedale Hause stands in the way. The route down starts quite gradually but increases in steepness untill you meet an almost vertical crag; fortunately a scree run heads off to help you get down safely. That said this way would require great care if there was snow or ice involved.
The one thousand foot ascent of Fairfield now loomed ahead of us but largely due to the quality of the path this wasn't too much of an issue and we made steady progress, with Hughie enjoying the few snow patches, to the broad stony apex of the day.
This was our second visit here in less than a year and given we've been granted wonderful views both times I'm growing rather fond of the place. We enjoyed coffee and a few more rations before heading off for the wonderfully easy stroll over Great Rigg.
Seat Sandal
Hughie Larking about in the snow
View towards High Street
Mothers Day
Heading towards Great Rigg
Hellvelyn and Dollywaggon Pike
South from Great Rigg
Once Great Rigg is traversed our route took us out onto a broad spur from the main Fairfield Horseshoe that terminates in the crag of Stone Arthur; it's certainly strange to approach a "fell" by heading downhill all the way. The only other time I recall similar was heading to the infamous Armboth Fell from High Tove, this is far more pleasant however and soon enough the prominent crag of Stone Arthur is reached. It's hard to see why when approaching from the main ridge this qualifies as an individual fell but in all honesty it inspired us to do a route we wouldn't otherwise have done so that's all fine my me.
Approaching Stone Arthur
Grace on Stone Arthur
Heading back to Grasmere
Once down by the road, with Stone Arthur now looking like a fell, Nicola, Grace and Hughie headed back to the car as I marched into Grasmere for some gingerbread. This delicacy has obviously proved to be a very popular mothers day present as it was sold out with only the wonderful aroma in the shop to tell of it's passing.
Good job they do mail order!
so a deal was struck with a colleague to cover for the grand price of a pack of Grasmere Gingerbread enabling Nicola to enjoy mothers day wandering in the fells.With place and time set, a very early start (clocks going forward) saw us pull up to the lay-by on the A591 just outside of Grasmere on a beautiful hazy Lakeland morning. This isn't the best place to start a walk from as the coaches and cars hurtle by but this is all soon left behind as we started up the bridleway to Patterdale.
There is a choice of three ways up Seat Sandal from here but in an attempt to avoid retracing our steps I decided upon the long curving grassy south ridge. This looks like a very easy gradient from the road but it soon became apparent that it was far steeper than it looked. It turned out to be hard work and quite unforgiving until the summit plateau is reached.
Looking towards the Greenburn Round
Looking towards Grisedale Hause
Helm Crag
St Sunday Crag
Grace and Hughie on Seat Sandal
Grisedale Tarn and St Sunday Crag
Following basking in relatively warm sunshine on the way up the top of Seat Sandal it was decidedly chilly on the top so we ensconced ourselves behind a small crag and enjoyed lunch as we took in the fine if hazy views.
Seat Sandal to Fairfield is no great distance but unfortunately the substantial declivity of Grisedale Hause stands in the way. The route down starts quite gradually but increases in steepness untill you meet an almost vertical crag; fortunately a scree run heads off to help you get down safely. That said this way would require great care if there was snow or ice involved.
The one thousand foot ascent of Fairfield now loomed ahead of us but largely due to the quality of the path this wasn't too much of an issue and we made steady progress, with Hughie enjoying the few snow patches, to the broad stony apex of the day.
This was our second visit here in less than a year and given we've been granted wonderful views both times I'm growing rather fond of the place. We enjoyed coffee and a few more rations before heading off for the wonderfully easy stroll over Great Rigg.
Seat Sandal
Hughie Larking about in the snow
View towards High Street
Mothers Day
Heading towards Great Rigg
Hellvelyn and Dollywaggon Pike
South from Great Rigg
Once Great Rigg is traversed our route took us out onto a broad spur from the main Fairfield Horseshoe that terminates in the crag of Stone Arthur; it's certainly strange to approach a "fell" by heading downhill all the way. The only other time I recall similar was heading to the infamous Armboth Fell from High Tove, this is far more pleasant however and soon enough the prominent crag of Stone Arthur is reached. It's hard to see why when approaching from the main ridge this qualifies as an individual fell but in all honesty it inspired us to do a route we wouldn't otherwise have done so that's all fine my me.
Approaching Stone Arthur
Grace on Stone Arthur
Heading back to Grasmere
Once down by the road, with Stone Arthur now looking like a fell, Nicola, Grace and Hughie headed back to the car as I marched into Grasmere for some gingerbread. This delicacy has obviously proved to be a very popular mothers day present as it was sold out with only the wonderful aroma in the shop to tell of it's passing.
Good job they do mail order! 