~North-West Zigzag~
19th June 2010
I'd wanted to visit the summits of Knott Rigg and Ard Crags, but I also wanted to make a good walk out of it. David Hall proposed a route that would do just that and also visit some more new areas (for me). We used both cars to facilitate the plan and started from Newlands Hause at 09:00....
Eel Crag
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk
Knott Rigg
Knott Rigg Summit
It took about 35 minutes to get to the top of Knott Rigg from Newlands Hause. It was very cool with a strong Northerly breeze, so jackets required. The huge consolation for all walkers today is the clarity of the air, not something always associated with summer walking. My cap was blown off on one occasion.
The Ridge to Ard Crags
We head along the ridge and Sail is in view on the left. According to Wainwright, there are no toilet facilities up here. He's right.
Ard Crags
The tarn-less comb is Addacomb Hole. Are there any "proper" corries or combs with water therein in the North-Western Fells?
Rigg Beck
David's route had us descend directly off Ard Crags and then up to the well-worn path along the flank of Sail to Sail Pass.
Eel Crag from Sail
I was here in early February and whilst the Rollover image is taken from a different angle it shows the change in ground conditions from that day to this and today was warmer, just.
The Summit of Eel Crag, showing Grisedale Pike
Ditto to Grasmoor
And now one of those easy summits, the gentle stroll to Wandope.
Ard Crags from Wandope
Addacomb Hole down there to the left. Next up will be Grasmoor which involves a steep ascent.
Grasmoor, or maybe Screemore
Rannerdale Knotts from Grasmoor
RK will be our final felltop of the day and that is Crummock Water down there. We took lunch in summit shelter on Grasmoor and were joined by a couple of walkers who were showing signs of attrition. Mr had led Mrs up the wrong route to the top and she was not very happy with the extra effort involved. Could do without domestics up here, that's why I love these places. Yellow Card!
Thirdgill Head Man
Not named on my OS 1:25,000, but entitled in the Wainwright Guide. Third Gill leads into Sail Beck. Grasmoor plus screes in view.
Whiteless Pike from Whiteless Edge
Whiteless Pike
Causey Pike in the distance, Ard Crags on the right.
The Way Down
Rannerdale Knotts and Crummock Water
David was getting agitated at this point, he'd seen something in the undergrowth.
Sheepfold
Man at work; David is compiling a catalogue of Lakeland sheepfolds - not sure if there is a title for these folk.
Low Bank - Rannerdale Knotts
The bracken is thriving and will be waist-high in a few weeks. It's a fine feature of this fell. Some like the bluebells which offer a strong blue colour earlier in the year, but they threaten the bracken and maybe some selective weeding needs to take place.
Crummock Water from Rannerdale Knotts
Me on top of Rannerdale Knotts - No.173/214
Mellbreak
The End
Blue-Bracken
Scientists have implanted a gene from a bluebell into bracken and it may be the case that in future we can have blue groundcover throughout the summer. It hasn't been been perfected yet as you can see from this photo from a secret location in Lakeland.
Walkers: David Hall and Me.
Time taken: 6hrs 15 minutes over a distance of about 9 miles. (David will confirm these details)
Route: Newlands Hause, Knott Rigg, Ard Crags, down and up to Sail, Eel Crag, Wandope, Grasmoor (there and back), Whiteless Pike, Sheepfold, Rannerdale Knotts and down the steep bit to the car park
Weather and conditions: Sunny, coolish.
Greetings Count: Very quiet early on, a few more around Eel Crag, warring couple on Grasmoor and a few folk elsewhere, especially on Rannerdale Knotts.
Richard's Refreshment Review: I went off to Keswick afterwards and got an ice cream and sat down to watch the cricket in Fitz Park.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2010 ©
Take me back to the start ....