free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
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.
![DSC03961.JPG]()
- Cascade in Sourmilk Gill
![DSC03963.JPG]()
- Easedale Tarn and Tarn Crag
![DSC03966.JPG]()
- Over Easedale Tarn to the Helvellyn range
![DSC03971.JPG]()
- Stickle Tarn, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark
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.
![DSC03975.JPG]()
- At the start of Jack's Rake
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.
![DSC03977.JPG]()
- To be kept clean and dry on nurse's orders!
Once the others had reached the rowan at the top of the first steep section, we set off up the Rake ourselves.
![DSC03978.JPG]()
- Karl coming up the Rake
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.
![DSC03980.JPG]()
- Folks further up
At the big ledge above, the main group had stopped and kindly allowed us through.
![DSC03981.JPG]()
- Stickle Tarn, Langdale and Windernere
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.
![DSC03990.JPG]()
- View east from Harrison Stickle
![DSC03992.JPG]()
- Summit of Harrison Stickle looking to the Coniston fells
![DSC03993.JPG]()
- Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Pike o' Sickle, Great End, Gable
![DSC03994.JPG]()
- Great End, Allen Crags, the Gables, top of Pillar
![DSC03997.JPG]()
- Glaramara and the north-western fells from Thunacar Knot
![DSC04001.JPG]()
- Thunacar Knot, popular as ever!
![DSC04002.JPG]()
- Summit of High Raise, looking up Langstrath to Esk Pike
![DSC04007.JPG]()
- Skiddaw from High Raise
![DSC04008.JPG]()
- Rosthwaite Fell and the north-western fells from High Raise
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.
![DSC04011.JPG]()
- Summit of Calf Crag, looking back to Greenup Edge
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.
![DSC04019.JPG]()
- Helm Crag from Gibson Knott
![DSC04021.JPG]()
- The Howitzer
Nice little scramble to the top of the Howitzer. Bit too breezy for any balancing acts though!
![DSC04022.JPG]()
- Karl on his way up the Howitzer
![DSC04024.JPG]()
- The Lion and the Lamb
Beautiful late afternoon light as we made our way back down to Grasmere.
![DSC04026.JPG]()
- Grasmere from The Lion
Stopped at The Sportsman's on the way back home for a pint of Snecklifter and a healthy bowl of chips. Nice day out!
