An Easedale round in Autumn sunshine
Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:39 pm
With an excellent forecast, Saturday 27th October seemed a good opportunity to do this walk, which I'd had in mind for a bit. Did a similar route on October 11th 2015 (I can hardly believe that was three years ago!) as part of Karl's mission to bag all the Wainwrights, but logistically that meant taking in Silver Howe, all the Langdale Pikes and Tarn Crag. This time we could miss out the awkward outliers and include instead High Raise and the splendid Calf Crag - Helm Crag ridge, with the bonus of combining the two scrambles of Jack's Rake and the Howitzer.
A couple of days prior I'd badly cut two fingers on my right hand which entailed a visit to Minor Injuries, landing me with two bulky dressings. The excellent nurse told me the dressings needed to stay on for five days and be kept clean and dry. Luckily the cuts were on the backs of my fingers, so with a bit of care I'd still be able to manage the scrambles (though I didn't tell the nurse that ).
The weather was sunny, crisp and clear. Going up Easedale it was very windy and we wondered if it would be blowing a hoolie on the tops.
Fortunately the wind didn't seem to get any worse with height, and the foot of Jack's Rake was quite sheltered, so we sat down for coffee and a bite. Just as the views and the warm sunshine began to impinge themselves on us, at least ten people turned up, complete with helmets, obviously intent on the Rake. We let them get on with it. Then a few others appeared and we let them get on with it too.
Meantime I remembered the words of the nurse and decided I'd wear a pair of liner gloves to keep my finger dressings as clean as possible. Keeping them dry would just be a matter of avoiding contact with wet rock or vegetation.
Once the others had reached the rowan at the top of the first steep section, we set off up the Rake ourselves.
Higher up we kept to the left edge which allowed us to by-pass a couple of chaps who were struggling a bit in the trench.
At the big ledge above, the main group had stopped and kindly allowed us through.
We were expecting the wind to hit us strongly as we exited the Rake onto the summit rocks of Pavey Ark, but it was just a chilly breeze really. There was some ice about, though, which showed how much colder it had turned since the mild weather of the previous few days. The compensation was the clarity of the views.
Onward to Harrison Stickle, then the enjoyable walk over Thunacar Knott and High Raise to Greenup Edge.
The path down from Greenup is currently in a rough state but is being repaired. Easier ground is soon reached and a short ascent leads to the summit of Calf Crag.
Just past the summit was a nice sheltered spot with grass to sit on and a south-facing wall of rock to lean against - ideal for a siesta!
After this we were well fortified for the excellent ridge traverse to Helm Crag.
Nice little scramble to the top of the Howitzer. Bit too breezy for any balancing acts though!
Beautiful late afternoon light as we made our way back down to Grasmere.
Stopped at The Sportsman's on the way back home for a pint of Snecklifter and a healthy bowl of chips. Nice day out!
A couple of days prior I'd badly cut two fingers on my right hand which entailed a visit to Minor Injuries, landing me with two bulky dressings. The excellent nurse told me the dressings needed to stay on for five days and be kept clean and dry. Luckily the cuts were on the backs of my fingers, so with a bit of care I'd still be able to manage the scrambles (though I didn't tell the nurse that ).
The weather was sunny, crisp and clear. Going up Easedale it was very windy and we wondered if it would be blowing a hoolie on the tops.
Fortunately the wind didn't seem to get any worse with height, and the foot of Jack's Rake was quite sheltered, so we sat down for coffee and a bite. Just as the views and the warm sunshine began to impinge themselves on us, at least ten people turned up, complete with helmets, obviously intent on the Rake. We let them get on with it. Then a few others appeared and we let them get on with it too.
Meantime I remembered the words of the nurse and decided I'd wear a pair of liner gloves to keep my finger dressings as clean as possible. Keeping them dry would just be a matter of avoiding contact with wet rock or vegetation.
Once the others had reached the rowan at the top of the first steep section, we set off up the Rake ourselves.
Higher up we kept to the left edge which allowed us to by-pass a couple of chaps who were struggling a bit in the trench.
At the big ledge above, the main group had stopped and kindly allowed us through.
We were expecting the wind to hit us strongly as we exited the Rake onto the summit rocks of Pavey Ark, but it was just a chilly breeze really. There was some ice about, though, which showed how much colder it had turned since the mild weather of the previous few days. The compensation was the clarity of the views.
Onward to Harrison Stickle, then the enjoyable walk over Thunacar Knott and High Raise to Greenup Edge.
The path down from Greenup is currently in a rough state but is being repaired. Easier ground is soon reached and a short ascent leads to the summit of Calf Crag.
Just past the summit was a nice sheltered spot with grass to sit on and a south-facing wall of rock to lean against - ideal for a siesta!
After this we were well fortified for the excellent ridge traverse to Helm Crag.
Nice little scramble to the top of the Howitzer. Bit too breezy for any balancing acts though!
Beautiful late afternoon light as we made our way back down to Grasmere.
Stopped at The Sportsman's on the way back home for a pint of Snecklifter and a healthy bowl of chips. Nice day out!