Not Today Thanks!

[johnkaysleftleg]

With all hill bagging momentum lost thanks to various commitments this was a much needed outing to get things back on track. This is a popular route over these four small fells but still once you leave Helm Crag your're unlikely to see many people. With this in mind I got up a 5AM and as a result was walking through gorgeous Grasmere before 8AM before setting off up the charming climb up Helm Crag.

First Target from the Car by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Up the Lane by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Arcane Roots by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Views Open Up by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Bark and Boulder by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Across to Easdale Force by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie by Anthony Young, on Flickr

I was making fine progress when I realised I had dropped my hat. Cursing my idiocy I retraced my steps in search of the errant headware. I ended up going quite a distance back down before the hat was spotted.....along with my GPS Good job this was early otherwise the scavengers who claimed my dropped fleece and other things earlier in the year would have had a field day

Panic over I returned to the task in had and enjoying this glorious morning and was soon topping out on Helm Crags fabulous summit ridge. Every visitor to here has a choice to make; Say Wainwright didn't so why should I? or say bugger it how hard can it be? I put off this decision to have breakfast in the shadow of the Howitzer, for it is of course the scramble up this monolith that I am referring to.

The rock was nice and dry and the wind was light but the fact I was alone, apart from Hughie who would no doubt panic if I set off up a rocky turret without him made the decision for me, after all I did get to the top last time.

Looking up Far Easdale by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Velveteen Fields by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Towards Loughrigg by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The Langdales and Easdale Tarn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Dunmail Raise by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The Lion and the Lamb by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The Howitzer- not today thanks by Anthony Young, on Flickr

I hadn't seen anybody save for a few people down in the village and this continued as I made my way over Gibson Knott and onto Calf Crag before having another five minutes enjoying the silence and solitude. It wasn't until I was crossing the boggy section that gets you onto Steel Fell's Western slopes that another walker was spied.

Back to Helm Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Gibson Knott by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking down Far Easdale by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Calf Crag View by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie on Calf Crag Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Steel Fell is a very simple climb from here as another set of views down Thirlmere (still looking a bit low) open up. I found a quiet rock and had lunch looking at the interplay of light and the impossibly vibrant green fields in the vale of Grasmere below. I probably could have had a little sleep in the shelter of the slightly chilly breeze but chose not to and descended down this fells beautifully graded South East Ridge back to the car.

Tarn on Steel Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Thirlmere by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Steel Fell Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The Gorgeous Vale of Grasmere by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Across Dunmail Raise by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Almost down by Anthony Young, on Flickr

A nice easy day out in quite superb weather, one of those days you wish could last forever.

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

[yokehead]

A great set of photos of a good-looking round. I'll let you off the scramble since it wasn't just yourself you had to think about!

I was making fine progress when I realised I had dropped my hat. Cursing my idiocy I retraced my steps in search of the errant headware. I ended up going quite a distance back down before the hat was spotted.....along with my GPS Good job this was early otherwise the scavengers who claimed my dropped fleece and other things earlier in the year would have had a field day

Perhaps you should consider attaching each piece of kit to yourself with a bit of string!

[johnkaysleftleg]

A great set of photos of a good-looking round. I'll let you off the scramble since it wasn't just yourself you had to think about!

You are most kind on both counts

Perhaps you should consider attaching each piece of kit to yourself with a bit of string!

I'd probably drop the string!

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Superb photos of a classic Lakeland walk. Hughie looking good too.

[Mal Grey]

Lovely images, as usual.

Somehow, Helm Crag has escaped my attention. Must solve that one day.

[trailmasher]

Great report Anthony with superb photos across some most beautiful countryside This walk is another favourite of mine and as you say it's an easy way to see some spectacular scenery

Great that you found your dropped items especially the GPS and I have a penchant for losing gloves, 4 pairs in the last 15 months

[onsen]

Lovely shots of a lovely area....

[Alteknacker]

Stunning pics - no surprise at all there.

Have motivated me to work out a route in the area, to be done soonest....

[dav2930]

Cracking little round JK. Superb photos as ever.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Superb photos of a classic Lakeland walk. Hughie looking good too.

Thank you, I'll past on your comments to Hughie

Lovely images, as usual.

Somehow, Helm Crag has escaped my attention. Must solve that one day.

It's a terrific little fell, go early or late however it's very popular.

Great report Anthony with superb photos across some most beautiful countryside This walk is another favourite of mine and as you say it's an easy way to see some spectacular scenery

Great that you found your dropped items especially the GPS and I have a penchant for losing gloves, 4 pairs in the last 15 months

Cheers TM, perhaps you need a pair of gloves with the string through the sleeves

Lovely shots of a lovely area....

Thank you.

Stunning pics - no surprise at all there.

Have motivated me to work out a route in the area, to be done soonest....

Cheers Plenty of options so I look forward to an epic Alteknacker route to come!

Cracking little round JK. Superb photos as ever.

It certainly is Dav, thanks for the kind words