DATE 10.09.2011 | DISTANCE 13KM | HIGHEST POINT 537M
Posted by Matt | Filed under lake district
Returning from our trip to Arran we took an overnight pit stop in Ambleside. The next morning we set off for Grasmere. After parking at the village school, we packed our waterproofs and made our way to Easedale. The ascent of Helm Crag was pretty quick at 405m and rather muggy.
It certainly looked like it was going to rain at some point. Up on top with very strong gusts I managed to balance on the Lion for just enough time to get myself snapped. I tried to climb up the Howitzer aswell but it was far too slippery today.
We then continued along the ridge by traversing the boggy ground over Gibson Knott, Moment Crag, Pike of Carrs, Calf Crag and Brownrigg Moss. Up on the ridge was very bleak! Horizontal rain, gale force winds and the very boggy ground made for a very challenging day.
The descent into Far Easedale wasn't much easier either, as the becks were bursting from all the recent rain to the point where the paths were looking more like becks themselves. We squelched back to Grasmere, windswept and tired.
It may have been nasty weather but as usual it was still a great day in the Lakes.
We parked the car in the car park at Grasmere school and set off up Easedale Road

Helm Crag

setting off up the path near the disused quarries

Looking down into Easedale

Sour Milk Gill in the distance and Yew Crag

Looking out from High Raven Crag to Grasmere

Looking down into the Great Tongue. Looking wet on Seat Sandle to the left

Over the easy scrambles and approaching the top

Standing on the Lion

Trying to get up the Howitzer but it was just too slippery

Looking across Bracken Hause to Gibson Knott.
It wasn't long after this point that the horizontal rain and gale force winds started. My cameras came out at odd occasions from here on.

Looking back to Hem Crag

It looks like it is smoking now as the rain comes in

Crossing the ridge in horrendous wind and rain

A shot of the ridge and the view down into Easedale. This was a very rare moment when it stopped raining

This was taken somewhere around Pike of Carrs. My feet were soaking from all the bog and rain and I was past caring. At one point during my bog hopping session, I managed to loose a knee.

Bog, Bog and more Bog

Dark and murky at Brownrigg Moss

with all the recent rain Far Easedale Gill was in full force. At one point the path where the path crossed, it was almost impassable.
We managed it though although i had to sacrifice my legs into the water to keep Natalie stable. That's just the kind of guy I am ...shucks!

Looking back up the valley. In many places here the path and the beck pretty much merged into one.

As you can see here. I was far past caring. The Goretex lining had been breached and my feet squelched back to Grasmere

Helm Crag

