I had this idea today of maybe going up to Sprinkling Tarn, and perhaps then looping around to Glaramara. My hill fitness is still slow to return though, so I didn't know how far I'd actually get - once again, I'd just play it by ear, see what my energy levels were.
So it was park up at Seathwaite and off up Grains Gill. This is a place of waterfalls. Further up, the path follows Ruddy Gill, which plunges down a narrow gorge beneath a footbridge:
And more waterfalls:
All the way up, the head of this little valley is dominated by Great End:
And on to Sprinkling Tarn, Great Gable and Green Gable on the left:
Sprinkling Tarn:
By the time I got here, I was already quite tired, perhaps in part because I didn't get much sleep the night before. Looking up at Glaramara, I just didn't fancy it:
So I had a little scramble around above the tarn, and discovered another little tarn that I never knew existed:
Too small to be named I suppose. With Great End still looming over the scene, Great Gable also draws the eye:
After a bite to eat, I didn't know what to do with myself, and was inclined to head down to Styhead and just return to the car via Styhead Gill. Styhead tarn:
But then, I don't know what got into me, but I decided to head up Great Gable. I didn't think I'd go all the way up, but thought i'd just see if there were any views to be had on the way. Glad I did too, because then the clouds broke up and the sun came out, happy days! Helvellyn in the distance, with the clouds lining up on parade above:
My pace going up was positively glacial, but as always, the path and the promise of grand views draws you on. I persevered, and wonder of wonders, I actually made it to the top!
And the views. Wasdale and Wast Water:
Haystacks centre, with High Crag and High Stile on the left, Grasmoor prominent on the right:
Need a little help on this one, as I haven't walked these fells; is it Pillar? And the flat top Kirk Fell?:
Langdale Pikes; Harrison Stickle left, Pike o' Stickle right:
And of course, the Scafells:
I had thought even of going down to Windy Gap and over Green Gable to return, but looking at the extra climbing on Green Gable, my heart just wasn't in it - not ready for more yet; didn't think i was ready for this much yet! So it was back down the same path, and down via Styhead Gill. Mallard ducks on Styhead tarn:
Looking back; Styhead tarn, Great End and Scafells:
And above Taylor Gill Force, Blencathra on the skyline:
Knees are now like jelly, can barely get out of my chair!
