BB2313 : Hiker Sunk Money?

Wednesday 25th April 2023

You probably know Helm Crag as one of the iconic peaks of the Lake District. Often referred to as "The Lion and the Lamb", it stands proudly beyond Grasmere as the guardian of Dunmail Raise.  It has featured in several BOOTboy reports over the years.  There are actually two lions and two lambs- the pair seen from Grasmere is different to the pair seen from the north.  The best way to see the two sets together is from Tongue Gill on the other side of the pass.

The northern (and higher) Lion and Lamb is also known as “The old man playing the organ” or “The Howitzer” and from many angles the latter is the most apt description.  My (exceedingly) minor claim to fame is that it is the one Wainwright peak that the Great Man didn’t actually summit whereas I have (BB0922), thanks to Bryan and Stan calling out the moves and preparing to catch me if I fell from the rock face.

What came as a surprise to me was that such an iconic and easily reached peak had never been visited by Mike.  Time to put that right.  "Hiker Sunk Money" said Mike, enigmatically.  Eventually it dawned on Stan and me that this was the What Three Words location for our meeting point.  We duly met there as instructed then proceeded onwards to Grasmere.

We knew it was going to be a fine morning but we hadn’t expected it to be as warm as it proved to be.  The climb from Grasmere is quite steep and, thanks to the sun and the effort, it soon became apparent that we were somewhat overdressed for the occasion.

Two yellow wagtails had no such problem and seemed to be enjoying the sunshine.  Sadly they wouldn’t keep still long enough for me to take a decent photo but they deserve a mention anyway.

As you near the Helm Crag summit it is essential to turn round and enjoy the view; the hills, the lake, the village and the folk at the bottom looking up admiringly at you.

We chose not to climb the Howitzer this time.  Been there, done that; besides which, I am some 14 years more ancient now.  Instead we continued along to Gibson Knott and then to Calf Crag.  Fortunately, the uphill sections were nowhere near as strenuous as those earlier.

It was still sunny but much colder.  We took shelter behind some rocks to have lunch.

Our descent was alongside Far Easdale Gill, passing several small waterfalls.

The reverse side of the two lions could be seen.

One particular barn evoked happy memories for me.  It was the site of our summer school camp.  The barn was the headquarters and we young sprogs slept in bell tents in the field opposite.

Once back in the village, we decided to go on the Wordsworth trail.  No, not to view his grave but to respond to the question in his epic poem “The Waggoner”.  

“Who does not know the famous Swan?”  he asked, talking about the local pub.  

Well, we had known The Swan, knew it had grown tired and had been told that it had been rejuvenated under new owners.  Time to get to know it again?

On the plus and arguably most important side, the beer was good (once we found a bar that actually served real ale).  However the ambience was Naff with a capital N.  It was almost as if it were round one of a television internal design competition where each contestant is tasked with designing a Lakeland themed layout and décor of a room.  

Our verdict?  They’re all fired.  Not impressed.  Someone has sunk a lot of money into it but I don’t believe it was a hiker!

Don, Wednesday 26th April 2023

Comitibus:          Don              Stan                   Mike

Comments:

Chris P: In the spring of 1994 Cumbria Education no longer needed my services so training to be a National Trust footpath lengths-man  filled my idle days.  Constructing stone pathways with drainage channels on very busy routes was a NT priority.  Therefore it is very possible your boots were subjected to some of my handiwork on the path towards Gibson Knott from the scene of Don’s epic ascent!

Robin:  I especially enjoyed the spoof  MASH report [Spoof?  What Spoof? It's all true!  Ed.] on cheerful Stephen Malley’s visit to London. On my first visit in the late 60’s, possibly 1969, I travelled by tube across London from Paddington Station to the company’s Mill Hill HQ.  Still a West Country boy from what was then a rural community near Swindon, I naturally greeted all the occupants on entering the carriage and, yes, smiled at strangers with the same response as Mr Malley. I’m not sure who was the most dismayed - such behaviour never to be repeated.  Sadly, over time, I too became a typical London rail commuter.

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STATISTICS

BB2313 : Hiker Sunk Money?

Date:

Wednesday 25th April 2023

Features:

Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag

Distance in miles:

8.4

Height climbed in feet:

2,003

GPX track:

BB2313GPX

Comitibus:

Don, Mike B, Stan

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