Grange Fell and Castle Crag

One of the hottest days of the year, we set off from Grange over the stone bridge and a couple of hundred yards south down the main rod took the bridleway to the left and soon found ourselves in the most peaceful bracken filled meadow. Gently climbing through lovely scenery, Castle Crag, our final destination dominating the view to the south. The path descended slightly and eventually we too a right had fork to cross the stream on our right and begin quite a steep ascent up towards King’s How. As we gained height the humidity of the day attracted the most midges we had seen in the Lakes for sometime. Thankfully we were well equipped with jungle formula. We arrived above the treeline where the path forked. Initially we took the right hand fork heading up towards King’s How but the path petered out an becoming quite disorientated we descended an took the left hand fork over a style, which seemed to be heading in the right direction – which it was but were much further east and lower than anticipated. However soon we found our bearings an followed the path by a wall south then west to eventually to join our main path and be greeted by the most magnificent views of the hills to the south of the Borrowdale valley. Great Gable, the Scafells, Glaramara all majestically bathing in the hot sunshine, and so did we.

After a small stroll south we took the path eastwards up to the main summit of Grange Fell, Brund Fell. Truely in the centre of the Lake District, Sacfell Pike to the south, Helvellyn to the east and Skiddaw to the north all felt as though they were in touching distance. Lunch stop at the top with no need to shelter from any wind or rush down in case of impeding rain. The descent was to continue east passed the lovely named Jopplety How across the wall then follow this to the south to join the Watendlath, Rossthwaite path down to Rossthwaite and the Scafell Hotel for a welcomed drink.

The afternoon was to be simple, follow the Cumbria Way and Allerdale Ramble but fork off to the left to climb Castle Crag. Memories of this were of of a slate mound steep and slippery constantly worrying the children were going to fall off!. We were quite tired as we ascended form the valley the humidity was now increasing with thunder clouds and rain to the south. On reaching the ridge before the final slate mound mention was made of ‘lets not bother’ but this was overruled and an incident free push to the summit was made. The view were slightly disappointing being very hazy to the north and dark rainclouds to the south. It was still warm enough to linger for a while then descended down to the west and along the Allerdale Ramble back to Grange where we just in time to have strawberries and tea at a garden party accompanied by one of loudest crashes of thunder we have ever heard.

Time 6hours 30mns (some longish stops!)

Grade Excellent

Memories :

• Peaceful bracken meadow at the start
• Hot and Humid
• Views of the southern Borrowdale giants
• Half time refreshments at Rossthwaite

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