Date : 25th April 2015 Wainwright’s : Barrow, Causey Pike, Scar Crags, Sail, Crag Hill, Grisedale Pike Start / Finish : Braithwaite Distance : 10 Miles Height Gained : 3835 feet Time Taken : 7 Hours
The Route : Clockwise from Braithwaite
The main aim of this hike was to bag Barrow, which I missed out the last time I climbed the Coledale horseshoe in 2013. On that hike I climbed Outerside and then went on to Causey Pike and the rest of the horseshoe. Barrow was therefore too much of a detour in the wrong direction.
A video of the walk can be seen above.
The path to Braithwaite Lodge
I parked in the lovely village of Braithwaite and then walked up the path towards Braithwaite Lodge. From here a good path heads straight up Barrow and I was stood on the summit about 45 minutes later. The views were magnificent in all directions and offered a great look at the whole route ahead.
The path up Barrow
Barrow summit view of the whole horseshoe
Apparently there is a direct path from Barrow straight up the northern side of Causey Pike but it’s not marked on either the OS or Harvey maps. It also look perilously steep and so I chose the usual route of following the Stonycroft Gill path as it heads between Outerside and Causey Pike before another path exits on the left side and cuts back up towards Causey Pike.
The summit of Causey Pike is a truly magical place to be on a clear day. The views are extensive in all directions. I spent a good 10 minutes there … just looking.
Causey Pike summit view northwards towards Skiddaw
Causey Pike view of the onwards route
The stroll along the ridge to Scar Crags is a nice respite for weary legs and is equally rewarding for the views over towards the Newlands Fells.
The Newlands Valley
The last time I climbed Sail, the path was badly eroded. The following year, the fix-the-fells team repaired the path. The manner of repair has come under some criticism as it is essentially a gravel path rather than the stone pitching technique more commonly employed in the upland fells. It also takes a distinctive zig-zag route from bottom to top which looks unnatural and has been described as an eyesore by some. I leave it for you to decide.
The Zig-Zag path up Sail
Crag Hill from Sail
The path up onto Crag Hill is steep and rocky. Much more like it ! But the summit is a large flat grass and stone plateau from which you have to walk to its periphery to appreciate the best views. The trig point, which had been demolished the last time I was there in 2014, has now been rebuild and looks resplendent again.
Crag Hill Summit
Crag Hill represents the apex of the horseshoe. You can extend the walk over to Wandope, Grasmoor and Hopegill Head but I’ve climbed those fells before and so I kept to the traditional route. I therefore headed to Coledale Hause and then up to Grisedale Pike.
The view back down the whole horseshoe from Coledale Hause
Onwards to Grisedale Pike
The view from Grisedale Pike is a fine one in all directions. I was lucky to have it to myself for a few minutes until others arrived and moved away. Nobody likes a summit slug !
Grisedale Pike summit view East over Derwent Water …
South West over towards Crag Hill and Grasmoor …
West towards Hopegill Head and Ladyside Pike …
and North towards the Coast
As I headed down the steep descent path, I passed 3 mountain bikers carrying their bikes up ! Nutters !
Views towards Keswick …
and Braithwaite
So Barrow was Wainwright number 210. Just 4 to go !
I've climbed Blencathra twice before, but never the surrounding fells. And so todays objective was to remedy this and climb all the fells in the Blencathra group, as well as Blencathra itself via Sharp Edge. I'd chosen a circular route from Mungrisdale and set of at first light on a cold, clear day.
Sunrise near Great Mell Fell
Its a nice gentle stroll up to the summit ridge of Souther Fell along a good path though the bracken. The summit is just a slightly higher grassy mound from all the others on the summit plateau.
The path up Souther Fell
View of Blencathra from Souther Fell Summit
A good path follows the western shoulder of Souther Fell until it drops down to the Glenderamackin valley. Another path then follows the flanks of Scales Fell up towards Scales Tarn.
Looking up to Sharp Edge and Foule Crag
Scales Tarn
From Scales Tarn there is a clear choice of routes up onto Blencathra summit. An easy path can be followed to the south, or the more challenging route along Sharp Edge and Foule Crag can be attempted. If the weather is inclement, particularly if wet and/or windy then I would strongly suggest the easier option.
Sharp Edge & Foule Crag
Looking back along the ridge
Sharp Edge is a common site of hiking accidents which unfortunately includes 12 fatalities since records began in the 1940's. As such, it is a region firmly on the radar of the Keswick mountain rescue team. Accidents usually occur as a result of slipping on the smooth, polished rock along the ridge, particularly an awkward sloping rock which hikers call the 'bad step'. In wet weather it can be treacherous. Today however, the conditions were fairly calm and dry underfoot.
Every Step along Sharp Edge
Once sharp edge has been safely traversed, the difficulties are not yet over. Facing you is a angular rocky outcrop called 'Foule Crag'. This is a hand and foot scramble which demands 10 minutes of further concentration until the summit plateau is reached. Then you can finally relax and enjoy a pleasant 5 minute stroll up to summit of Blencathra where stunning views in all directions are an ample reward for your efforts.
The next objective was the somewhat bland and uninviting grassy mound of Mungrisdale Common. For those who have no desire to 'collect Wainwrights' then I would advise avoiding the 90 mins of torment required to cross, and then re-cross the boggy terrain in order to bag this particular summit. Your feet and knees will certainly appreciate it.
Mungrisdale Common is the grassy lump in the mid ground
The summit of Mungrisdale Common
Bannerdale Crags is the next fell on the route. As it is approached from the western side it looks decidedly un-craggy, as the drama is hidden from view on its east facing aspect. This was a perfect place to stop for a brew and a bite to eat.
Bannerdale Crags summit - looking back towards Blencathra
Bowscale Fell is clearly visible to the north and a good path arcs around the head of the Bannerdale valley to reach it. The return path drops down to the valley and follows Bannerdale Beck back to Mungrisdale Village.
Bowscale Fell summit
This hike brings the Wainwright total to 198. The next hike will tackle the 4 fells to north of Blencathra which will then complete the Northern Fells.
Date: 29/11/2019 Start/Finish: Bridgend/Patterdale Wainwrights: Birks, St Sunday Crag, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Hartsop above How Distance: 10.5 miles Max Elevation: 2864 feet (Fairfield) Total Ascent: 3415 feet Time Taken: 6-7 Hours
The Route - Anticlockwise from Bridgend
It was 10 years ago when I last hiked this route. On that day I was clagged in the whole way round and saw nothing. I'd made a mental do it again in fair weather and well …. it was fair weather, so it was time for 'The Deepdale Horseshoe round 2'. This is a classic route. Tougher that the Fairfield horseshoe although not as far. I'd walked it clockwise 10 years ago and remembering the scary descent down Cofa Pike I decided that anti-clockwise would be more prudent, and that does seem to be the most popular way to tackle it. A 10 minute video of the whole walk
Patterdale
Black Crags
Ullswater
Views over the Grisedale valley
Frosty ground on the path to Birks
The onwards route to St Sunday Crag
I missed the path up onto Birks so had to take a slight diversion back up to its summit.
Birks
Views to Helvellyn from St Sunday Crag
St Sunday Crag summit
Mist and glare over the Deepdale valley
The onward route to Cofa Pike and Fairfield
Grisedale Tarn
Cofa Pike
It's a steepish scramble up Cofa Pike, unless there is an easier route that I missed. The use of hands was required at certain points.
The Deepdale Valley
Dollywagon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn
Looking back over St Sunday Crag
Grisedale Tarn
Fairfield summit views
The path to Hart Crag
Looking down the Rydal valley to Windermere
The head of the Deepdale valley
Hart Crag summit views towards Dove Crag …
...
… and back to Fairfield
The Deepdale valley and the forward path to Hartsop above How
Views back over to St Sunday Crag
Hartsop above How summit view
The forward view back to Bridgend ...
… and the backward view to Hart Crag
Sun just setting on Angletarn Pikes and Place Fell
Nearly back, in the fading light
When I did this route 10 years ago it took me around 5 hours. Today it more like 7 hours. This may be because I'm now 10 years older and less fit … Or it may be because the ground conditions were quite icy and careful foot placement was required. I'm going with the latter ….
