~Silver How~
25th July 2010
Karen and I fancied a big day out. I came up with a carefully laid out plan to visit our favourite cafe for breakfast, eat well and then proceed to Elterwater for a climb up Silver How. Ambitions included reaching the summit, staying dry and avoiding parking charges. See how we got on....
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk
The Hat Trick Cafe (RRR at the foot of the page)
We proceeded from Low Newton to "Central" Lakeland and parked on the roadside near Elterwater village at 12 noon. Wainwright Book Three in hand, I chose the ascent route up Silver How from Chapel Stile as shown on Page 6 of said chapter.
Chapel Stile
We walked along the road to Chapel Stile and then proceeded up the steep ascent next to the wall, found just before Walthwaite. This photo shows a look back and Wainwrights' Inn is in view beyond the lush green field.
The Way Up
Bracken enthusiasts will have plenty to get excited about here. Other walkers mark the route that we will follow.
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Waterfalls in Megs Gill |
Megs Gill |
Megs Gill
Where is the "Stone Man"? AW promises a prominent cairn on the far side of the waterfalls, but I couldn't see it. Maybe it is just out of sight, or not so prominent from this point, or no longer standing.
Grasmere and Rydal Water
Ah! For a bit of sunshine! The view across these smaller lakes is a good one, but could be so much better.
Loughrigg Fell
The route to Loughrigg Fell crosses a few lumps and bumps and finishes with a steep climb. I'll end up on LF one day.
The Langdale Pikes
Karen at the top of Silver How
Mrs Ratcliffe reaches her 6th Wainwright felltop and jolly pleased with her achievement she is too. I'm sure she has enjoyed this one as much as any of the others. HT, HS, L, CC, & LF are the other five. Have a think, answer at the foot of the page.
That's Me...
Mr.Ratcliffe reaches his 179th Wainwright felltop, his first was PA, that's easy.
Grasmere
Grasmere village seems to be enjoying a bright interlude, the cloud is slowly lifting, but I wouldn't want to be on top of Helvellyn today, the views are a driving force for me to reach a summit and there are not many felltops I've visited without also getting a decent view.
Our descent route will be across the top of Spedding Crag, to the holly tree, if it's still there, and then down in the direction of Walthwaite.
The Holly Tree
Never mind carbon dating, this tree is at least 52 years old.
Spedding Crag
The Langdales Pike lurk beyond this fell.
Free Parking
Raven Crag
A rockfall occured recently destroying the rockclimbers' routes known as "Walthwaite Crack" and "Cliff at Christmas". Shame about that, but where did they get the latter name from?
Chapel Stile and Lingmoor Fell
The Way Down
I didn't notice the "stone hut", perhaps it's no longer here, but I wasn't really looking for it.
Harrison Stickle
A Langdale Pike looms large over Chapel Stile. We are near the end of our Silver How walk. It's been a very pleasant walk with us staying dry, we didn't pay to park and we reached the summit.
Now for a special edition of Richard's Refreshment Review....
Hats off to The Hat-Trick Cafe at Low Newton. Superb little cafe in the depths of the Yew Tree Barn. Wonderful interior decoration, great food from a very good menu, dedicated and attentive service from the owners and a lovely atmosphere. Here's a few photos:
The American Breakfast
Pay Jane and Sam a visit - but watch the opening times, they are on the website.
Walkers: Karen and Me.
Time taken: 3hrs 20 minutes over a distance of about 4 miles.
Route: Elterwater common to Chapel Stile, the path next to Megs Gill, the route as shown on SH6 in Wainwright Book Three, taking the scramble beyond the third rock buttress, not the second one like everyone else does, to the summit. Returning on the same page, but via Spedding Crag , Walthwaite and a short-cut path avoiding Chapel Stile village.
Weather and conditions: Grey; as overcast as a crowded stage in the West End.
Greetings Count: Not many on the way up, but a good number on top, nobody on the descent route.
Richard's Refreshment Review: As above.
The Answers: High Tove, Harrison Stickle, Latrigg, Castle Crag & Lingmoor Fell.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2010 ©
Take me back to the start ....