Route: Seat Sandal
Area: Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 20th November 2024
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.2 miles
Ascent: 2,200 feet
Weather: Sunny and cloudless, bitterly cold
Seat Sandal stands at 2,415 feet and is situated along Dunmail Raise, not far from Grasmere. We were last here five years ago when the weather was glorious. Today was a cloudless sunny day, although it was exceptionally cold
We parked in a small layby next to the bus stop outside Grasmere and, after walking beside the busy road for a couple of minutes, we turned off to follow the path along Tongue Gill. There’s a choice of paths on either side of Great Tongue and following our previous route we took the path beside Tongue Gill. It’s a simple climb up to Hause Gap, though we had to take care as the path was frozen over in many places. After arriving at Hause Gap and enjoying the view over Grisedale Tarn we started the final short but very steep section up a loose path to the summit of Seat Sandal. The view was lovely, although the blinding low sun meant that Grasmere was impossible to photograph
The wind chill factor on the top was equivalent to at least -10C, making it too cold to linger, so without ado we set off on the long descent down the nose of Seat Sandal, which must be one of the best in lakeland. It’s set at a fairly easy gradient, and the views are superlative all the way down, especially those over Grasmere village and its lake
Near the bottom of the fell we joined our original ascent path and from here we retraced our steps back to the start
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After a short section beside the A591 we turn left and follow a track between the houses. Seat Sandal is in the distance
Great Tongue ahead, which separates Little Tongue Gill from Tongue Gill
We cross the footbridge over Tongue Gill. From here there's a choice of paths along either side of Great Tongue. We follow the one to the right
Looking across to our eventual descent route
We aim for Hause Gap, with Fairfield on the right and Seat Sandal on the left...
Looking back along our path, which had frozen over in many places...
Fairfield on the right
The path becomes fainter as we approach Hause Gap, but the way ahead is obvious on the ground
We arrive at Hause Gap, with Grisedale Tarn and Dollywagon Pike ahead
We turn sharp left at Hause Gap and start a steep climb up the flanks of Seat Sandal
Looking back to Grisedale Tarn and Fairfield
The gradient eases as we approach the summit of Seat Sandal
A glimpse of Ullswater beyond Fairfield and St Sunday Crag
We follow the line of a dilapidated dry stone wall
Summit of Seat Sandal
Fairfield from Seat Sandal
The wind chill factor at the top was severe, around -10C, so we didn't linger and set off on the descent, heading towards the distant Scafells
Great Gable in the centre of the photo
A cairn marks the end of the summit area and we follow a faint path around to the left
Helm Crag below and Easedale Tarn to the right
Cotra Breast and Steel Fell in the foreground and Great Gable in the background...
Easedale Tarn again
Grasmere below as we follow the line of the ridge...
The view is ahead of us all the way down...
Approaching our original ascent path, from which we will retrace our steps back to the start
A final glance back along the ridge to Seat Sandal
