Date: 25-Oct-2010
Map: Landranger 90
Weather: Cold and bright blue skies.
From Sadgill up steeply to Great Howes,
and on toward Sleddale Fell. Down around Greycrag Tarn and
up to Tarn Crag. Down to the hause at the top of Mosedale
and around the lower slopes to Brownhowe Bottom. Follow the
old quarry road back to Sadgill:
just over 6 miles as measured on memory map.
As the
weather forecast had showed minus 5 deg in the Lake District
overnight, I thought it would be a good idea to polish off
two boggy, lonely Wainwrights at the edge of the Far Eastern
Fells. I had a decent drive up and knew I would have a grand
day out as the sky was clear and cold. The road up
Longsleddale is long and narrow, with occasional passing
places - it's right on the eastern edge of the Lake District
and very peaceful, and feels like time has stood still
around here. I drove all the way up Longsleddale to Sadgill,
finding a spot to park just before the road turns into the
farmyards - space for about 10 cars here. The skies were
very blue and the temperature on the car dash showed minus 5
deg - marvellous walking weather. I was wearing base layers
for the first time this autumn, and donned a few more to
match the conditions - a 4 layer day, but they were on / off
later on in the morning.
the farms at Sadgill and an eyebrow mark on my
camera sensor - rats
looking back down to my route up to Gray Crag
Grey Crags await my arrival
a cloud inversion over at Windermere
the last pull up to Grey Crag summit
The first target for today was Grey Crag up on Sleddale
Fell, but the start of the route was masked by a car parked
in front of the open access sign. But it didn't make much
difference as I found a gate a little further up the track
and up above a faint path. This walk was mainly on rough
grass pasture, with mossy reed beds quite common on a
plethora of small side becks - you can hear them but can't
always see them. I looked at the map last night and noticed
all the eyelash symbols, so knew that it would be moist. The
path up above Sadgill was steep, and wound it's way up a
field, over a stile and up through the crags of Great Howe.
The path is reasonably well defined, but there are plenty of
route options up here and I just picked one to suit .
As I got to the top of the crags I looked back over tow the
west to see a cloud inversion above Windermere, but
surprisingly nowhere else - maybe it was a hot night in
town. To the south east is the long valley of Longsleddale,
green and pleasant in the bright sunshine. Annoyingly for me
I had just cleaned my camera sensor, but had left a smudge
which clearly showed up on a lot of shots today - dohh.
Sleddale Fell itself is full of lumps and bumps reflecting
the underlying geology, and the path meanders through boggy
patches before taking to tussocky grass - I'm glad it was
frozen today as it saved me a soaking.
not very inspiring views over to the Pennines
the Coniston Fells in the distance, Kentmere is a
bit nearer
Tarn Crag is next
it would be very soggy here on a warmer day
the summit of Tarn Crag, with the survey pillar
near by
The views from the highest crag, Grey Crag, were not
spectacular as Longsleddale largely disappeared from view
and the landscape is mainly moorland. To the east the high
Pennines of Cross Fell were very clear, as was the coast
down at Heysham power station - some 30 miles south. The
summit is largely unremarkable, and I could have extended it
out to Harrop Pike, but there wasn't that much more to see.
Both sides of the Kentmere round were in view, with Wansfell
my afternoon walk beckoning me to hurry on. Down in between
Grey Crag and Tarn Crag is meant to be Grey crag Tarn , but
is largely filled in by reed beds and moss - you can clearly
see the are it used to cover. The path passes by the eastern
edge of the tarn next to a fenceline, before curving
around and up to Tarn Crag - but it would have been very wet
in warmer conditions, so be prepared. I passed the summit
cairn, and of more interest up here was the old survey
pillar. I believe they used this (and one further back down
the slopes of Grey Crag) when they were building Haweswater
aquaduct? It's very big and mossy and sits in a puddle, and
a peaty, wet bog. Today it was all frozen over and looking
very picturesque. I headed north west off the top, through
some more peat haggs and met a few fellow walkers coming up
the easy way from Sadgill. More frozen ground took me down
an easy slope that got a little steeper down at the bottom
where it was wetter. I often see a dark coloured hot air
balloon to the north of the Lake District, high in the sky -
sometimes it up for ages and other days a quick trip up and
down - I suppose distance plays tricks with the eyes. Across
the valley I could see the old mine workings of Wrengill
Quarry below Kentmere Pike. Down in the valley at Brownhowe
Bottom it was really soggy - and there's nothing worse than
a soggy bottom. Down below Selside the ground gradually
improved as the reed beds declined and pasture came to the
fore.
the survey pillar
it's a big fella
a close up - it had a wooden frame around this at
one stage
the path down off Tarn Crag
a boggy bit between the peat haggs - Kentmere Pike
in the background
There are plenty of signs of old mining around and
about the Gatesgarth Pass, and as I walked down I passed
some large sheepfolds and a well signposted path as I left
the pasture and wetlands behind. Now it was an old track all
the way back to Sadgill, but there was plenty to see on the
way down with Goat Scar prominent up ahead, as well as the
many small falls on the River Sprint. I hopped over the wall
to snap a few unsuccessful pictures and had a peaceful
interlude listening to the tumbling waters. But I didn't
tarry too long and made my way down the track, passing by a
few large families out enjoying the school holidays. One dad
was loaded down with four coats, mum was texting, and the
kiddies were 'are we there yet?' - at least he wouldn't get
cold legs. The local Sheppard was out on his quad bike and
high above him the dogs were driving the sheep down the
crags - next lot ready for market then. The river snakes
down Longsleddale, giving some lush pasture down here, all
glinting in the bright sunshine. I was soon back at the
start and sat down on a handy bench to have some nice
warming soup before driving over to Wansfell for an
afternoon stroll. Great weather for walking.
Brownhowe Bottom - it's soggy
the old mine workings
Selside in the
background
Branstree is up to the right
on the old track back down Longsleddale
and it
led all the way back to the car
Where now:
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