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Seat Sandal and a Wander

Seat Sandal and a Wander


Postby L-Hiking » Sun Nov 25, 2012 5:41 pm

Wainwrights included on this walk: Dollywaggon Pike, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Seat Sandal

Hewitts included on this walk: Dollywaggon Pike, Helvellyn, Seat Sandal

Date walked: 18/11/2012

Time taken: 6

Distance: 16.5 km

Ascent: 650m

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Its been a while since I got myself out in the hills and probably longer since I last got the time to write a report of my experience. How surprised I was when I was asked if I fancied a weekend away in the Lakes. Yes indeed I replied (of course) and was encouraged to book a stay at the Red Lion in Grasmere. I must say it did not take much encouragement and quickly booked and into the diary.

Having got to Grasmere on the Saturday about 1pm we decided to have a wander up Silver How, I think it is Carol’s favorite as this is the first fell I took her up whilst staying at the Prince of Wales Hotel also in Grasmere. A pleasant walk was had and we were presented with some wonderful views especially towards the Crinkles and Bowfell.

The next morning I looked out of the bedroom window to a clear blue sky with snow on the top of Fairfield and Seat Sandal. I had not at this time formulated a plan where to walk, but decided that as I had avoided Seat Sandal on my many trips over Dunmail Raise and indeed needed to bag it, the time and the location we were in was right to tackle it.
P1020205.JPG
Seat Sandal from Hotel window
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Looking to Helm Crag from Dunmail Raise
P1020210.JPG
Track up Raise Beck


We were parked up at Raise Beck at 0850 with not a sole around, but a little cloud had dropped onto the fell top otherwise blue skies all around, I was hopeful that the weather forecast would be correct today and we would be treated to a fine day. We continued up the path alongside Raise Beck steadily climbing and passing two delightful waterfalls on the way, there are no difficulties up this path. The views behind towards Steel Fell were very good, as we approached the summit of the path there was a snow covered view of Fairfield ahead at which point we turned right and up the slope towards Seat Sandals top. The views were becoming clearer as we ascended with Grisedale Tarn and the surrounding fells standing out asking for its picture to be taken. The temperature was dropping as we climbed and it was a matter of gloves off and gloves back on quickly to take any pictures.
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Steel Fell
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A cold looking Fairfield
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To Seat Sandal
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Grisedale Tarn, Dollwaggon Pk, St Sunday Crag and Fairfield.


Seat Sandal summit is a barren affair, however the views are good towards the coast and especially Grisedale and St Sunday Crag, we didn’t hang around long up here it was too cold and certainly not a coffee stop today. We descended down to Grisedale Hause which is pretty steep in parts and requires hands in places, at the bottom a nice sheep fold was identified as a belated coffee stop.
P1020219.JPG
Summit Pano


The picture looking to Dollywagon and Fairfield from here is quite stunning, as we sat with our coffee and Twix we discussed our next objective as the time was only 1120, there was plenty of daytime left to wander a little more rather than go back. So off we went towards Dollywaggon Pike around the tarn, it looked a long way up to the top up the well constructed old pony route to the top. Looking back to the way we came down Seat Sandal, looks even steeper than it actually is and we asked each other if we actually came down that way!!
P1020224.JPG
Fairfield from the climb up Dollywaggon Pk


Again on the way up and also at the top we were greeted with some wonderful views towards Fairfield and Cofa Pike with Grisdale itself looking particularly picturesque. It was really getting cold now and I felt it more when taking my gloves off to take a picture.
P1020225.JPG
Grisedale and Place Fell
I always find it strange when I see that isolated fence post close to the summit of Dollywaggon and try to imagine how important it must have been in days gone to have these fences in such remote and inhospitable places.
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That Post!
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View from Nethermost Pike
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Helvellyn and Catstycam
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Red Tarn
Onward towards Helvellyn via High Crag and Nethermost Crag, the wind was blowing a little up here and already small cornices were forming on the cliff edge. This is a very nice walk at any time of the year, but today with the snow and wonderful vistas it was special. Another cup of coffee at the summit shelter on Helvellyn which of course was not deserted after which we descended back towards Wythburn and a track alongside the main A591 to the car at Dunmail Raise.
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Thirlmere on the way down
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The way back to Dunmail Raise


A great day out and was now looking forward to a pint of Jennings Cumberland at the Red Lion!

Cheers
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L-Hiking
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Re: Seat Sandal and a Wander

Postby SusieThePensioner » Sun Nov 25, 2012 6:46 pm

Great report, Geoff, and so glad to hear you and Carol had a good day :D
Lovely photos with some wonderful views :thumbup:
The first time I did Helvellyn we caught the bus to Wythburn from Grasmere and then came down via Dollywaggon and Seat Sandal; many years ago :lol:
Jeff and I are off to Ullswater next weekend :D
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Re: Seat Sandal and a Wander

Postby simon-b » Sun Nov 25, 2012 9:33 pm

Good pictures of a great day on the Helvellyn range, LH. I know it was a good day, because on Sunday 18th I climbed Nethermost Pike from Patterdale and went on over Dollywaggon Pike to Grisedale Tarn, returning via St. Sunday Crag, Birks and Arnison Crag. Perhaps we passed each other, I was on Nethermost Pike at 11:11 and Dollywaggon at 11:50. Do you know what time you were on Nethermost Pike?
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Re: Seat Sandal and a Wander

Postby morag1 » Sun Nov 25, 2012 10:06 pm

A great walk, Lhiking :D

Some of these photos could easily be mistaken for Munros, they look so similar 8)
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Re: Seat Sandal and a Wander

Postby L-Hiking » Sun Nov 25, 2012 10:52 pm

simon-b wrote:Good pictures of a great day on the Helvellyn range, LH. I know it was a good day, because on Sunday 18th I climbed Nethermost Pike from Patterdale and went on over Dollywaggon Pike to Grisedale Tarn, returning via St. Sunday Crag, Birks and Arnison Crag. Perhaps we passed each other, I was on Nethermost Pike at 11:11 and Dollywaggon at 11:50. Do you know what time you were on Nethermost Pike?

Hi Simon, small world is it not? It appears we definitely passed each other, I was wearing a bright blue Mountain Equipment Jacket and I consider we passed on the slopes of Dollywaggon,as we were at the tarn around 11.30 now thats a shame pal


SusieThePensioner wrote:Great report, Geoff, and so glad to hear you and Carol had a good day :D
Lovely photos with some wonderful views :thumbup:
The first time I did Helvellyn we caught the bus to Wythburn from Grasmere and then came down via Dollywaggon and Seat Sandal; many years ago :lol:
Jeff and I are off to Ullswater next weekend :D


Hi Susie, wonderful day but very cold, And your first route up Helvellyn was the same as mine

I look forward to some of those excellent pictures of yours soon
Last edited by L-Hiking on Sun Nov 25, 2012 10:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Seat Sandal and a Wander

Postby L-Hiking » Sun Nov 25, 2012 10:54 pm

morag1 wrote:A great walk, Lhiking :D

Some of these photos could easily be mistaken for Munros, they look so similar 8)


Hi Morag, its a special area for me, and only 2 hours from home so they are a good substitute for Munro,s
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Re: Seat Sandal and a Wander

Postby ChrisW » Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:05 am

Beautiful hike LH, stunning photos of the wonderful lake district, love the dusting of snow even if it did make me shiver a little :clap: :D
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Re: Seat Sandal and a Wander

Postby garyhortop » Mon Nov 26, 2012 9:53 pm

Great report LH and some amazing pictures there...makes me quite jealous to see some snow....all we seem to be getting at the moment in the SW is rain.......and gallons of it! :D
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Re: Seat Sandal and a Wander

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:16 pm

Some fine pics there LH especially the one showing Catstycam and Hellvellyn, I really enjoyed your report as well :thumbup:
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Re: Seat Sandal and a Wander

Postby L-Hiking » Tue Nov 27, 2012 12:21 pm

garyhortop wrote:Great report LH and some amazing pictures there...makes me quite jealous to see some snow....all we seem to be getting at the moment in the SW is rain.......and gallons of it! :D


Cheers Gary, a great trip and nice to see some white stuff
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Re: Seat Sandal and a Wander

Postby L-Hiking » Tue Nov 27, 2012 12:22 pm

johnkaysleftleg wrote:Some fine pics there LH especially the one showing Catstycam and Hellvellyn, I really enjoyed your report as well :thumbup:


Thanks JK, I can tell you it was cold taking that picture, glad you liked it :D
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