High Rigg and Raven Crag

[andy63]

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

For my last walk of 2014 I chose some of the smaller Wainwright fells. I was slightly worried that snow might be a problem, but it was OK.There was a bit of snow on the tops of Helvellyn and Skiddaw but nothing lower down.
I parked near the phone box at Legburthwaite, but realized after I started walking that I could have parked a bit further up the road.However it wasn't a very long walk so the extra mile didn't do any harm. I also realised I'd forgot to bring any water, but decided I could probably manage a few miles without dying of thirst.

From Smaithwaite Bridge it's a short steep climb up to the High Rigg ridge.

High Rigg ascent

High Rigg ridge

View back to Thirlmere

I went over a couple of minor summits before reaching the last top on the ridge which is the Wainwright summit and also the highest point.

High Rigg and Blencathra

Someone else's dog on High Rigg summit

From here it's a short dropdown to the little church of St John's in the Vale.

St John's church

I followed the path and then the road back through the vale through the car to get a bottle of water.

Clough Head

St John's Beck

I then headed over the Thirlmere dam to climb Raven Crag.I tried to climb this one a couple of years ago (from a different direction) but managed to miss the turning for the summit, but from this side the ascent was fairly clear. If you follow the steep path all the way up,ignoring the forest roads, it leads straight up to the top.

Raven Crag from Thirlmere Dam

Raven Crag ascent

The summit is covered in trees so you don't get a panoramic view, but there is a good view over Thirlmere.

Raven Crag summit

View from Raven Crag

[mike202]

Nice pictures, I like the one of Raven Crag over the dam road.

Looks like you had a good day for it.