I had Friday as leave for a splendid day on the Central fells on what I guess is an unusual route.
I was keen to climb the direct route of Eagle Crag again but didn't fancy the longer drive to Borrowdale as I was due back in Preston by 6pm to play football so was looking at alternatives.
With a dry spell, I realised I could start near Armboth and climb over High Tove into the Borrowdale valley and include Grange Fell and Great Crag in the day as well with the return route being over Greenup and down through the deserted valley of Wythburn (again one for a dry spell).
Beautiful sunshine but very windy throughout so glad not to be on the higher fells today.
- Raven Crag ahead - beautiful day already
- Armboth Fell - so close but I've done it twice before and I really didn't think I was missing much by omitting it from the day
- High Seat and Blencathra from High Tove - remarkably dry here today
- Dale Head group over Grange Fell
- Descending to Watendlath. I've seen it from the fells but I've never started a walk from here so this was a pleasant first for me.
- Heading up Grange Fell with Jopplety How prominent
- Upper Borrowdale from Brund Fell
- Derwent water and Skiddaw from King's How
- Great Crag ahead
- Back to Grange Fell from Great Crag
- Eagle and Sergeant's Crag backed by High Raise from Great Crag
- Classic Eagle Crag ahead after descending to Stonethwaite
- The direct route in profile
- After following the Cumbria Way it's hard work getting started on the direct route and rough around the Bleak How area
- A better path joins though as you approach the final tower and then there's a plethora of terrace paths to pick from to make your way up to the summit rocks - a terrific route
- Sergeants Crag from Eagle Crag
- Looking over to Rosthwaite Fell from Sergeants Crag
- I then went off route to join up with the coast to coast path over Greenup. Lining Crag being the outstanding feature here.
- Looking down Greenup
- Upper Wythburn - deserted today but I'm sure it can be extremely wet on the wrong day. Not today though!
- Lower Wytburn though is gorgeous with a nice path and some lovely water features. I was glad I came this way.
