Another walk from the door to make a hattrick of outings from the house in the first few days. The day started with the cloud being down so we waited until 11am beofre setting off. This walk was up to the popular Helm Crag, which was directly behind the house and always a good fell for views, considering the modest height of this one. The ascent up the front is a simple one, with plenty of opportunities to stop, have a coffee and enjoy the views back down to Grasmere. Which we definitely took advantage of. Once on the summit we found a nice spot to have lunch between the “Lion” rock and the Howitzer, before summitting and heading on to Gibson Knott. This one seems a bit of a lump on the ridge to Calf Crag, but Wainwright thought it merited a chapter in his book, so we went, before turning about face for Bracken Hause. We descended down towards Helmside, myself and the boys took the route to Stythwaite Steps previously and the Helmside route is far better. All that was left was to walk along the lanes to Thorney How after a very easy and slow bimble up this lovely fell. The next day or two would be raining so we’d marked our last walk as a much bigger undertaking, so this walk fitted nicely in the plans.
Start – Grasmere, Thorney How
Route – Little Parrock – White Crag – Helm Crag – Bracken Hause – Gibson Knott – Bracken Hause – Helmside – Low Mill Bridge – Thorney How
Distance 5 miles Start time – 11am Time taken – 5hrs Highest Point – Gibson Knott 420 metres
The day had started with low cloud as per the forecast, so this walk from the door was perfect to allow for the cloud to clear and meant we could have an easy start before heading off. Bits of Stone Arthur appearing from the cloud as we start offLittle Parrock is the house with Tarn Crag towering aboveI guess these days you need signs like this otherwise someone wouldGrasmere (the lake and village) and Loughrigg Fell behind, clouds are lifting nicely now and the views get better as you head upYesterday we in that bowl up there which holds Easedale Tarn. Tarn Crag right and Blea Fell leftThe path zigzags a bit and crosses the front of the fell to give views down to Dumainl Raise and more of Grasmere villageDunmail Raise below and Seat Sandal, the valley to the right of Seat Sandal is called Tongue GillClouds clearing the tops now as we pass the Lion and the Lamb rocks, from The Swan pub on the A591 below these rocks to the left look like a lion’s head with a small lamb next to it.The true summit of Helm Crag is the Howitzer, named I guess because it looks like an artillery gun. Steel Fell is behind the summitLinda climbs the Howitzer, she got most of the way up, which is more than most do.A part of Gibson Knott on the left, Stell Fell in the centre and the Helvellyn ridge to the right holding on to the cloud. Dunmail Raise is belowLots of Central Fells in this photo. Tarn Crag is nearest, centre right, Blea Fell is over to the left (Easedale Tarn will be between those two in the bowl. The bumps at the back are the Langdale Pikes with Ullscarf the huge rounded lump back rightGrasmere as head to Gibson Knott, this is Bracken Knott obviously.Linda on Gibson Knott in the sunshine a sliver of Easedale Tarn to the left with the Langdale Pikes in view as well, looking dark and moodyThe rounded top of Helm Crag from Gibson Knott is a contrast to the view up from GrasmereBack at Bracken Hause and starting the descent, we look across to Seat Sandal and what would be Great Rigg and Fairfield if the cloud wasn’t still downWe joined the lanes now after Helmside and enjoy the views of patchwork fields and rising fells on our way backStone Arthur up to the right as we near Thorney How, a lovely walk done at a leisurely pace to make the most of this fine part of Lakeland
