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Down to the lakes in the search for some nice weather and a lack of midges..
A couple of scrambles in the book had caught our eye, so after a very relaxed morning at the campsite, we drove the short distance to Seathwaite to start the walk. The first bit up to Sty head, we had done before but it didn't make it any less hot though - there was a breeze but it was warm
We took a left for the corridor route, which undulated a lot, but there were a couple of good fun scrambly bits. Lots of people out and about, busy busy...
We reached Round How, the first of the scrambles round on the far side. Easy slabs led up to some steeper walls - the rock was good, but wasn't rough enough to avoid having to look for holds.
There were plenty of wet bits, and the crux chimney was hanging with green slime, fortunately a large choice of other routes meant it really wasn't an issue. less than 1/2 an hour took us to the top though - too short
Now the book promised a few routes in the corrie above, but when we got there, they looked: a) a slog to get to, and b) quite short. Only the buttress off to our left - the side of Great end looked like it might make a decent proposition.
We contoured round, and managed to gain the buttress. It had looked quite vegetated at the bottom but there were some cracking wee aretes and ribs in amongst it all which were brilliant
Further up, the clag came down, so the best/trickiest part at the top became really quite greasy
Still a good sustained fun filled finish
We hunkered down out of the now chilly breeze for some lunch and talked about what we would do next. Well great end summit was very close - might as well go there and even Scafell pike didn't look like it was too far on the map.. Would of been more enthusiastic about it if the clag would clear though
Anyway first Great End.
Then the long walk over the undulating plateau following the endless line of cairns
The boulderfields were quite fun and made for good progress, but we did see some folk making a right meal of them
The clag did lift a bit too
endless boulderfields
The final ascent started off quite nice, with a rocky arete to distract from the climb, but it was soon the usual eroded paths to the boulderfield summit.
We retraced our steps back the way we had come, going over all the tops on the way back. I did enjoy the boulder hopping, but gammy ankle was fairly protesting! The tops finally cleared for a bit though so we could at least see where we were going
Broad Crag
After Ill crag though it was an easy plod down the well worn walkers motorway, taking a right on approach to Sprinklers tarn.
The path down the Ruddy Gill was pleasant at the top, a beautiful gorge and falls taking the mind off the sore feet. These paths aren't designed for scrambling shoes..
The lower part went on forever though and we were later back than planned - only just made it in time for the dinner we had booked! Braw day oot though, canny complain
