Route: Great End
Area: Southern Lake District
Date of walk: 22nd April 2015
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 9.0 miles
Weather: Sun and blue skies. Very warm. Hazy long distance views
Since starting this site in 2013 it’s been my aim to include a link to all the 214 lakeland fells as classified by Alfred Wainwright, and today there was only one obstacle to that ambition – Great End. This fell is the fifth highest in the district and ranks above better known Great Gable, Bowfell and Pillar but seems to be overlooked – probably because anyone making the effort to come this way would go on to nearby Scafell Pike, the highest point in the land
I drove over to Borrowdale and set off from Seathwaite on a glorious morning. I followed the path up the valley and along Grains Gill as far as Esk Hause. It was a long haul but quite easy going. At the hause I turned off to walk up the slopes of Great End – it’s an odd feature of the mountain that its fearful appearance from the approach turns out to be such a straightforward ascent
After a few moments of reflection on the summit I retraced my steps for a while, then headed past Sprinkling Tarn to Sty Head and back to the start along Styhead Beck. What a Great End it had been to a 2 year journey
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Red squirrel in the garden before I set off this morning
Crummock Water was like a mirror as I drove past
Reflection of Mellbreak in the lake
Start of the walk through Seathwaite Farm
I follow round the left side of Seathwaite Fell ahead
Further along the valley
I cross over Grains Gill via Stockley Bridge
Looking back towards Seathwaite
I cross this small footbridge over to the left bank of Grains Gill
The north face of Great End comes into view
Great End looks insurmountable seen from here
My route will take me round the left of the crags and up via the back door
What an awesome sight
The suprisingly gentle approach to the summit from Esk Hause - the crags are to the right
There’s still some snow lying around despite the warm weather
Summit of Great End
The Langdale Pikes, and a rather hazy view of Windermere
Summit of nearby Scafell Pike
The Langdale Pikes again as I retrace my steps down to Esk Hause
I follow the path past Sprinkling Tarn towards Great Gable
Sprinkling Tarn, set like a jewel high up in the fells
Great Gable
Looking back up to the cliffs of Great End
The chasm of Piers Gill in front of Lingmell
The Gill turns sharp left in the direction of Scafell Pike
I tripped over a rock here as I was gawping at the wonderful mountain scenery near Sty Head……
…luckily only my pride was hurt and I didn’t need this
Styhead Tarn
Borrowdale comes into view as I follow the path down beside Styhead Gill
The path goes round the nose of Seathwaite Fell towards Glaramara
I cross over Stockley Bridge again
Not a great photo, but good to see this Wheatear
I retrace my steps back to Seathwaite, which is just around the corner
A last lingering look back up the valley before I arrive back at the start
Back home, there was more red squirrel activity……
A Great End to a great day
