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BB2508
: Only The Two Of Us
Thursday
27th February 2025
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Holiday arrangements affected the majority of active BOOTboys
this week, leaving Robert and Martin in charge of arranging an outing for
themselves. It proved to be very easy – which day can you do?
Answer for both
was Wednesday or Thursday. The forecast was looking better for Thursday so we
plumped for that and what a good decision it proved to be. Wednesday was rather
miserable, raining for most or the day at low level but depositing a covering
of snow at higher level.
Thursday dawned bright and sunny, with a frost, and we
enjoyed a very scenic, quiet, electric drive through to Grasmere where we
parked in the layby on the A591.
We were prepared with microspikes for the
anticipated light snow covering but we could see that our target of the Helm
Crag ridge via Far Easdale was unaffected.
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Following the footpath alongside the
river we made our way through Grasmere and took the road leading to Easdale and
the gentle ascent in the sunshine along Far Easdale. Temptation was resisted
when we came across a smart wooden box containing homemade flapjack, neatly
packaged at £5.00 a pop for four pieces on an honesty basis, and we continued
our steady progress past Lancrigg and Brimmer Head Farm towards the bridge at
Stythwaite Steps.
Despite the glorious weather there were not many fellow
walkers out enjoying the day, unless they had taken to the higher summits for
an adventure in the snow. Just as we were cresting the head of Far Easdale we
met a couple walking with their dog from holiday accommodation in Rosthwaite,
planning to take the bus back from Grasmere.
Shortly after this a solo young
lady appeared on day 3 of her Coast to Coast walk. Being used to the wide skies
of Norfolk she was finding the rough path ‘interesting’.
By now it was ‘Tony
time’ but we agreed to go a little further, over Brownrigg Moss, to take
shelter from the biting breeze amongst the rocks on the summit of Calf Crag. We
took lunch in the sunshine, enjoying a marvellous panorama of the surrounding
hills – snow topped Helvellyn and Fairfield to the east and far reaching views
south over Grasmere and onwards. We noticed considerable low flying military
activity and hoped for some close up views as we approached Helm Crag where
they sweep past, on and over Dunmail Raise.
The route along the ridge past Gibson Knot towards Helm Crag
is well defined and we made good progress, assisted by the breeze at our backs.
By now there were one or two souls out and about including a chatty couple from
Nottingham who had left home at 8.30 a.m., arrived in Grasmere at noon and were
atop Helm Crag by just after 1.00 p.m.. This was showing up our stately progress
somewhat!
A brief time was spent
enjoying tea on Helm Crag where the military obliged by continuing their fly
past – difficult to catch on camera.
We decided, like Wainwright, not to climb
to the top of the summit rock and made our way down the steep descent to
Grasmere, passing through the grounds of the Lancrigg Hotel and eventually
rejoining our outbound route on the Easdale Road. Another mile or so back to
the car and the end of an extremely satisfactory 10.6 mile (Garmin), 9.4 mile(
Relive) walk.
Refreshment was taken at the Hare and Hounds, Bowland Bridge
in front of a warming log fire where it would have been all too easy to make an
evening of it. All together a day of good company, conversation, views and
enjoyment of the great outdoors.
Martin,
27th February 2025
Relive
To
Relive Robert's version of the walk, click
on the picture below:
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