Friday 18th February, 2005

Easedale Circuit

A walk with Peter Burgess

Start Point: NY 335 073

End Point:  NY 335 073

Distance: 9.5 miles

Max Height: About 1900

Height Ascended: 2799

Estimated Time: 4 hours including scramble on Belles Knott

Weather: Cloudy with sunny intervals earlier on.  Suunier periods becoming extended later on.

General Description:  A clockwise orbit of Easedale including Sour Milk Gill, Belles Knott (Grade 2** Scramble) and return via Helm Crag.

An easy start to the day in sunshine along the southern bank of Sour Milk Gill

The arc of Tarn Crag looms over Easedale Tarn.  In 30 minutes I'd be up there.

The conical subsidiary peak of Belles Knott.  An enticing feature, it reveals a good grade 2 scramble on firm rock.

The scramble shown here in red, gains the summit of Belles Knott along an increasingly narrow arete.  Without a 1000 foot drop on either side, it still rivals some of the classic ridge aretes and would prove just as fatal if treated without respect.

The view from the summit rock of Belles - a very precarious and unstable stance!

A Lakeland beauty - Coledale Tarn

Windermere, Grasmere and Easedale Tarn from Tarn Crag

Harrison Stickle and Pavey Arc from Tarn Crag

The Helvellyn massif from the wind blown waters of a summit tarn.

Travelling south west off Gibson Knott - Helm crag seen in  the near distance

Easedale Gill reflects weak winder sunshine

Dunmail Raise from Helm Crag

The Howitzer - Quite a precarious perch without a rope or belay. I scrambled to the top and took this view on the right.  The red arrow shows the true summit of Helm Crag from where I took this photograph. 

N.B. Although not high (about 15-20 feet, a fall from the top of the summit rock could be fatal.  For those of you less sure on rock, a rope and more experienced guide might be required to top out on the summit. Please take care if you want to contemplate any of the scrambles shown.

The 'Lion and the Lamb'.  The rocks which characterise Helm Crag for thousands of tourists from the Grasmere side.

Grasmere (Lake of the wild boar) from Helm Crag.  It has nothing to do with grass!

The lush green of the alluvial valley contrasts with the golden browns of the fells around.  Walking back to Grasmere down Easedale.

Peter M. Burgess, 2005

'fellrunning'