Fairfield

As I mentioned in the last post, I've been hanging around Grasmere with not a lot to do, cos himself has been busy teaching.

OK, so I lied.  How can you be in the middle of the Lake District and not have anything to do!  It was quite the opposite.... I couldn't work out where I wanted to go.   Looking at the surrounding hills on my map, I chose to head up to Stone Arthur, cos I liked the name, and then just beyond it was Great Rigg, and then Fairfield.  When you say it like that, it's not far at all.   I could come down using a route I knew Peter had chosen for a video.  It's called "In High Places", you might see it on Sky if you watch the painting and drawing channel.  Basically the route comes past Grisedale Tarn and follows Ton Tongue Gill back to the main road into Grasmere.  

So that was the route planned, and I only needed one map.  So once Peter's class was underway, and I'd only disturbed him three or four of times, (to hand in the keys, and then go back for the keys cos I'd forgotten me sticks, and then to hand in the keys etc.),  I was off. 

The very direct route from Grasmere up to Stone Arthur is very steep. In fact, the path on the map doesn't match the one on the ground at all.  This would be because you'd need climbing gear to follow the very direct  ROW on the OS map.  The very sensible walking fraternity before me have decided they didn't want to climb, and instead, used their boots to carve out a zig zag path up.  Still steep, but now walkable, and much more sensible.  I needed loads of rest stops though.  Hey Presto, loads of pictures. 

The views start to open out quickly.  We are so lucky to have such a lush green country to live in. 

Stone Arthur ahead.  I'm glad I decided to come here, I really like the way the rocks terrace.  

Views from Stone Arthur, there's Helm Crag and Easedale Tarn from yesterday.  High Raise beyond, and the Langdale Pikes to the left in the distance

Grasmere village and lake.  I managed to zoom in on our campervan from here.  But I'm not boring you with that picture.

Looking over the side of Brackenwife Knotts.  What a way to see the hills eh?

I like Stone Arthur.  

So from there it was up to Great Rigg, which I must have found fairly uneventful, as I didn't take many pictures, although I did enjoy a rest stop at the top.  This is when I realised that I was now on the Fairfield Horseshoe route.  I've seen it mentioned and discussed in forums, but hadn't really thought about it.  However, now I was up here, I could see the long, grassy path leading up to Great Rigg, and then on towards Fairfield.  I joined the masses on the long walk up.  Actually, I didn't so much join them as watched them all overtake me.  (I'm slow remember). 

The grassy slope to Fairfield, with a false summit or two to dash your hopes as you climb

It does seem like a long haul, but when you are there, the views all around, it's worth it. Time for the camera again......

Looking South  out over the Fairfield Horseshoe towards Windemere

North East, St Sunday Crag on the left

I have to admit I took a little while finding the path down, but only because the summit is a big area, covered in rocks and boulders.   But as soon as I'd got the Tarn on my right, I knew I was heading in the right direction.

Grisedale Tarn

The first part of the walk down from Fairfield to Hause Gap is reasonable.  But the path turns to scree, and the slope becomes steep.  I was glad I had the sticks as I made my way down cautiously.  

I can see the path home from here, leading to Ton Tongue Gill.  (Wonderful name).

Grisedale Tarn again, with Dollywagon Pike behind.  (Another wonderful name).

From Hause Gap, looking back at my route down.  Some bits of that were STEEP. 

But not nearly as steep as the way ahead.  That's Seat Sandal.  Luckily I'm not going that way.   

Once last look at the Tarn before I make my way down 

The path down from here is boulder littered, making the walking interesting and fun.

I was joined by a Wheatear, she did what all Wheatears do, and hopped along ahead of me, keeping me company

Lovely and quiet, in comparison to the busy thoroughfare of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Waterfall on Ton Tongue Gill.  Peter sketched this for that video I mentioned. 

It was here I was joined by an energetic and chatty woman who didn't overtake me, but kept me company as we walked down the valley to road, and then back to Grasmere.  We parted company at the village hall at about 5 o'clock.  Peter's class was just packing up for the day.  They all looked at me in surprise.  Apparently the text I'd sent Peter at 2 o'clock telling him I was on Fairfield hadn't reached him till about 20 past 4.  He was thinking I'd be a long time yet.  Now I know I'm slow............. 

Here's the map.  2800ft of up and about 6 1/2 miles it sez.  My GPS tracked an extra mile, but I think that was cos of the zig zagging at the start, and a bit of an extra curve on the end.  Doesn't matter, it was all lovely.