Stone Arthur, Great Rigg, Fairfield

Date 9/9/07

We manged to complete our planned walk today taking in 3 of Wainwrights tops.

Started at the Swan Hotel Grasmere, taking road up the right of the hotel following the signs to Allcock Tarn. Immediately after the gate onto the fell turning left we followed the wall by the right of the wood. (The path to the right goes to Allcock Tarn) Very steep in places but a recent path has just been laid making it easier than our last time up here. After a stiff climb the path bears right rising more gently across the bracken slopes toward Greenhead Gill. Before reaching the Gill the path turns left heading directly for Stone Arthur. On reaching the ridge a slight detour west is needed to reach the top. Having spent yesterday with Staveley Historical Society we could look down into Greenhead Gill and see the route of the aquaduct taking water from Thirlmere to Manchester.

The weather was extremely hot and sticky in the valley but cold wind met us as we looked down onto Grasmere. Lovely views over valley to Helm Crag but the higher tops in the distance were in cloud. Had the usual conversation - " Shall we buy a B&B and move to the Lakes?" but soon back to reality and retracing our steps continued along the ridge up to Great Rigg, a gentle steady climb.




A patch of sun on Windermere from Great Rigg



Quite cold now, fleeces on and soon into the mist as we headed north for Fairfield. Below us a heard (if that is the correct term) of fellrunners were dashing across the western slopes heading for Grisedale tarn. We saw them again on the summit dashing towards Dove Crag in the mist compasses and maps (and dibbers) in hand.

The shelters on the summit were welcome to get out of the wind and enjoy a crisp butty and flapjack. Fairfield summit in mist can be a little disorientating so a compass bearing helped us head west down the steep eroded descent to Grisedale Tarn. We passed several exhausted looking runners ascending, not sure how miles they had done already but obviously quite considerable.

Took a while to get down to the tarn then an easy descent down the path via Tongue Gill to the main road and back to Grasmere.

Total time for walk 5 hours (same as last week)

Memories

View from Great Rigg just under the cloud level
Change in temperature between the valley and the ridge
Fell runners taking part in the Lakeland mountain trail http://www.ldmta.org.uk/about/index.htm

Overall Rating: Excellent

Completed: 4 To Go 210!

Dow Crag

Date 1/9/07
Hoping to start with 3 tops today, Dow Crag then on to Brim fell and finally Coniston Old Man
Started walk at 11.15 after driving up and a scone and coffee in Coniston. Parked at bottom of Walna Scar road (should have driven up to the car park in hindsight!).
Rain started after 30mns and never stopped until we were nearly down.
1hr hour 15m gentle ascent to Walnar Scar pass. Head north east over Brown Pike (can't miss the path) then a lovely ridge walk over Buck pike and on to Dow Crag. Route finding no problem good path except on summit of Dow Crag which is very rocky (keep to the west). Thick mist all the way no views of the crags or over to the Old Man.
Descended to Goat's Hause now very wet and getting cold so decided to call it a day and descended passed Goats Water back to the Walna Scar road.
Total time for the walk 5 hrs (we are not fell runners!)

Memories:

Looking down on a bright rainbow in a nearby fieldas we ascended from Coniston [forgot my Camera :-( ]
Goats water atmospherically appearing out of the mist as we descended
Parties taking part in a Coniston Challenge (Canoeing, cycling and climbing the Old Man in one day)

Overall rating Excellent despite the weather

Completed: 1 To Go: 213!