Grasmere gingerbread

Sunday 31st March 2013

DW, CB and I plan a long run. The higher fells may be too wintry so we decide on what I think is an LDWA route from Grasmere. A good decision. Leaving the village we climb first to Alcock Tarn and then a rising trod towards Nab Scar. From there along to Great Rigg Man and increasing snow and ice. At the summit we turn, after donning spikes, towards Arthur's Pike then descend into Tongue Gill, (spikes off) then cross the A591 and head up Greenburn.

The valley is followed to Greenburn Bottom from where we ascend to Pike of Carrs and into the snow again. Then along the ridge to Helm Crag (The lion and the lamb). A short descent into Easdale then ascend once more this time on to Blea Rigg. Continuing along to Silver How is hard work as the time and distance begin to tell. The paths are also partly covered in snow adding to the effort.

Then it is decision time. Go for the last summit of Loughrigg or the quick way back to Grasmere. After a brief discussion and some dithering it is on to Loughrigg. I am glad we did but at the time I would have felt no shame in descending.

This is a really good route. A little contrived but that does give the opportunity to shorten it at several places if required.

Russell