A Seathwaite Round

With: Alan Rainford, Graham & Paul Rose
Weather: Cool;  initially low cloud but clearing in afternoon; brisk north westerly & lying snow
Where: Seathwaite; Taylor Force Gill; Seathwaite Fell; Esk Hause; Allen Crags; Glaramara; Hind Gill; Seathwaite -  Borrowdale, Lake District

Distance: Approx 6.5 miles
Height Gain: 2810'


I've not seen Paul since August last year so it was good to spend a day out with him. 
We set off from Seahwaite at about 10:30, half term visitors to the Lakes had produced a long queue of parked vehicles tailing well back from the farm - more like summer, except for the snow covered summits surrounding us.
Through the farm; across the beck and a steady pace towards Taylor Gill Force, there's a little brief optional scrambling on the way up on this route which breaks the walking. We crossed the beck roughly underneath the as yet invisible summit of Seathwaite Fell and ascended more steeply through at times knee deep snow, the summit was shortly gained & a brief stop for photos. By this time the views were just starting to improve although Great Gable remained stubbornly in cloud.

Looking Across the Snow Field From Seathwaite Fell Summit Towards Great End

Moving on across the sometimes very deep snow, which hid one or two watery surprises, we headed towards Esk Hause stopping briefly for lunch just above a frozen Sprinkling Tarn. The going was quite difficult on the final ascent to the Hause where we took a sharp left for the short climb on to Allen Crags.

Above: The Langdales From Allen Crags


The journey from Allen Crags to Glaramara is deceptive, 2.5km and I don't know how much height loss & gain. It took us a full hour through deep snow and over false summits to finally reach Glamara's summit.

Above: Looking North From Glarmara - Derwent Water & The Northern Fells

Descending from Glarmara's summit the head of Hind Gill was quickly located and the knee jarring descent under way, it is one of the steeper well used descents & the path is poor, however its over pretty quick!

All told a good day - Seathwate Fell has never been one of my favourites but it showed up particularly well in the snow especially with the hulk of Great End contrasting in the background. Are these the last throes of winter 2012?