Wetherlam via Steel Edge

DATE 08.09.2020 | DISTANCE approx 11KM approx | HIGHEST POINT 802M

Posted by Matt | Filed under Lake District

 

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One of those unsuccessful photo days where i didn't want to risk my camera taking a soaking but still got soaked anyway. I'd been wanting to do this hike for some time, since seeing the ascent of steel edge online. It looked like a good sCramble on a quiet route in an area i hadn't yet visited. The most memorable aspect of this hike though is it was the first full day of married life to new wife, Catherine. What a way to spend it!!

The start of the hike from LOW TILBERTHWAITE FOLLOWING TILBERTHWIATE GILL WAS GORGEOUS. THE FIRST SECTION HAD SOME INTERESTING OLD QUARRIES BUT IT WASN'T LONG UNTIL THE ROUTE started to feel very natural and untouched. The ascent of steel edge up to Wetherlam had it's challenges due to the fact there was rarely any real indication of a trail but you couldn't really go wrong as it was just a case of heading straight up it. The scramble on Steel Edge was fun and not overly exposed although the wet conditions meant we had to be extra careful with every hold. As we topped out of the scramble onto wetherlam, we were met my pea soap conditions. strong winds and horizontal rain meant that it wasn't long until we were pretty wet. There is only so long that waterproofs would be effective on a day like this. After summitting Wetherlam we hiked up swirl how, bagged Great Carrs for the first time and descended wet side edge. wet side edge is a very fitting name for a location which shared its characteristics with a soaked sponge. It wasn't long before our feet were drenched and we had completely given up on bog hopping.

After dropping down and crossing greenburn beck we had a minor navigation issue and it's worth noting what i am about to say. The OS Map shows a track which leads up to the great intake on low fell. This track is not obvious! Your best bet is to just follow the left side of the wall that ascends in that direction. It's only when you are near the top does it show any sign of being some form of path. Our ascent through steepest, deepest grass and stream beds was particularly exhausting. stick to the wall!

Once we were passed the great intake, things became fairly obvious again and our return to tilberthwaite was particularly interesting but so incredibly slippery in the rain. Finally back at the car, a full clothing change was essential. It was An exhausting day and a complete soaking but we reminisced about this route all the way back in the car. so many slips, falls and somehow lots of laughter.

 

Sometimes a quarry can actually add extra character to an area. It does this at Tilberthwaite.

Following the track high above Yewdale Beck

A small scramble section just beyond the disused quarry's

Above Tilberthwaite Gill

Steel Edge in the distance disappearing into the murk

Crossing Crook Beck

Dry Cove Bottom

Where's the track? Just go UP!

On Steel Edge. Imagining the views.

The summit of Wetherlam

 

and then the camera went away for the majority of the remaining route. After Wetherlam we dropped down to Swirl Hause, ascended Swirl Howe, bagged Great Carrs and made a very boggy traverse down West Side Edge. The camera was packed away throughout this but still got Wet. Every part of me got wet, all of my bag contents including my sandwiches too. In fact, I'd say I was so wet that I didn't feel wet. Does that make sense?

 

High End and Rough Crags, the slow descent down to Greenburn

The bridge crossing Greenburn Beck. Somehow still smiling. Well she did marry me yesterday!!!!

This is the last photo. The only other time I wolfs take my camera out of my soaked bag today. This was climbing up to Great Intake. It was steep, it was boggy, it was slippery and it wasn't an obvious track. Fully waterproofed up in good kit that still couldn't keep out the rain.