Route: Steel Fell, Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 28th December 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 8.3 miles
Ascent: 3,100 feet
Weather: Sun and snow – perfect
It was a cold and frosty morning as we drove over Dunmail Raise and parked in one of the laybys just before Grasmere. The fells were coated in snowy icing and looked to be in perfect condition. We couldn’t wait to get started. After walking beside the busy A591 for 100 yards or so we crossed the road and joined a narrow lane leading through Town Head. Just beyond this small settlement we forked off to the right to start the climb up Cotra Breast, which is the long ridge leading up to Steel Fell. The length of the ridge has the fortunate effect of making the gradient fairly gentle, and it’s an easy climb to the top. About half way up we reached the snowline and it was time to put on our microspikes – a really useful piece of kit in slippery conditions like today’s
There’s a good view along Thirlmere from the summit of Steel Fell and as we admired it we reflected on the pending planning application to install 8 zip wires across it. A truly awful prospect in my opinion, and I’ve already lodged my objection, having enjoyed numerous quiet walks around Thirlmere and its surroundings
We descended from Steel Fell past a couple of attractive unnamed tarns and across land which would normally be marshy and unpleasant – but the ground was frozen and so we managed to keep our boots dry. At the end of this section we turned sharp left to make the short climb up to the next summit – Calf Crag. From here there followed a long ridge walk with innumerable ups and downs leading to Gibson Knott and then to the last fell on the round – Helm Crag
In fading light we descended through Lancrigg and joined the lane below Helm Crag which took us back to the A591. A short and unpleasant walk beside the road brought us back to the start of a the walk. The roadside section will soon be forgotten but the snow clad fells and the views from them will live long in our memories – this had been a truly wonderful walk
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Red squirrel before we set off this morning
Town Head, and Ghyll Head beyond it, marking the start of the climb up to Steel Fell
Steel Fell
We follow the lane towards the foot of Helm Crag
The start of the climb up to Steel Fell
Dollywagon Pike
Looking across the Dunmail Pass to the eastern fells
We continue up Cotra Breast towards Steel Fell
The lower ridge marks our eventual return route
Time put the microspikes on
Greenburn Bottom
Looking across to Seat Sandal
A view back to the A591 and to our car parked somewhere down there
A rocky section near the top - our return route will be along the ridge of Gibson Knott in the foreground
We approach the summit cairn
Dollywagon Pike
Summit cairn on Steel Fell
Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon Pike
We descend beside the fence
Thirlmere - it's hard to believe that anyone could conceive of installing 8 zip wires across it and hopefully the planners will reject the application
Walking in a winter wonderland
Bonnie
We pass by a couple of unnamed frozen tarns...
A marshy area which was frozen over, so we managed to cross it with dry feet
At the end of the marshy section we start the climb up to Calf Crag
Calf Crag
Summit cairn on Calf Crag, and a glimpse of Windermere in the distance
We descend from the summit
The long ridge leading to Gibson Knott and Helm Crag stretches out in front of us...
Looking back to Calf Crag...
Summit of Gibson Knott, looking towards Grasmere...
...and now looking back along the knobbly ridge
The last climb of the day, Helm Crag, is ahead of us. There's no mistaking its identity thanks to the prominent rock known as The Howitzer
Looking back to Gibson Knott
We arrive at the summit of Helm Crag
The Howitzer, which is the true summit of Helm Crag
We pass by another large rock known as The Lion and The Lamb
Easedale Tarn and Tarn Crag
Grasmere...
Descending from Helm Crag
At the foot of the fell we pass through Lancrigg Hotel, a good place to stop for refreshments
The sun sets on Seat Sandal as we follow the lane towards the end of a fabulous walk
