Peak and Fell Walking - 10th March 2008 Greenburn Horseshoe

GREENBURN HORSESHOE

A PHOTOGRAPHIC WALKING WEBSITE by NEIL HASLEWOOD

Previous ... Loweswater Fells 9th March 2008

Next ... The Roaches 24th March 2008

Greenburn Horseshoe - 10th March 2008

WALK STATISTICS

Date	10th March 2008	Description	Greenburn Horseshoe
Start Point	Ghyll Foot	Peaks Climbed	Steel Fell 553m
Total Time	5hrs 30min		Calf Crag 537m
Walking Time	3hrs 40min		Gibson Knott 422m
Stopped Time	1hrs 50min		Helm Crag 405m
Distance	6.35 miles
Moving Average	1.8 mph	Start Grid Ref	NY 33184 09597
Elevation at Start	106 metres	Temperature	2-4°C
Total Ascent	680 metres	Weather	Rain, Snow & Sunny Intervals
Max Elevation	553 metres	Walking With	Mark

WALK NOTES

Ghyll Foot - Steel Fell (Dead Pike) - Calf Crag - Pike of Carrs - Moment Crag - Gibson Knott - Helm Crag - Ghyll Foot

Starting from Ghyll Foot about a mile or so north of Grasmere we set off for Steel Fell. Early this morning and during last night we had seen heavy rain and wind but although it was still raining when we started walking it was only drizzle. As we ascended up Steel Fell the drizzle turned to snow and sleet but there was little wind. It was when we were about half way up the ascent that we rounded a corner and saw the task ahead - cloud covered top and snow! We continued at a more steady pace as we walked past the snow line and into the clouds. The path was still visable for much of the way although insistinct at times and it was very wet underfoot. Eventually we arrived at the summit of Steel Fell (or Dead Pike). The true summit is next to the old county boundary fence. After a short break we continued along the ridge route to Calf Crag. The snow was becoming deeper and the path was not easy to see. However the clouds were clearing and we began to enjoy better views. The ridge route was very boggy in places and ever step was a splash in the snow, puddles or bog. As we headed towards the head of the Greenburn Valley and as the sun came out the views across the un-named tarns towards High Raise and Ullscarf were lovely. On arriving at Calf Crag the views were great in most directions. One could see all the way down the Greenburn Valley and the ridge that connects us to Gibson Knott and Helm Crag. We stopped for a lunch break on Calf Crag and met one of the few walkers we encountered during the day. Continuing from Calf Crag we crossed a very wet and boggy area to gain access to the true ridge route to Gibson Knott. Most of the time we were still walking across the snowy landscape but eventually as we lost height we also lost the snow. The path now became an obvious one. This gave us an easier walk to the summit of Gibson Knott. The views from Gibson Knott to Helm Crag and Grasmere beyond were very good. To reach Helm Crag we had to descend to Bracken Hause. Then it was a short ascent on a good paved path to the summit of Helm Crag. The true summit is the Howitzer and really one must climb to the very top to claim one has achieved another "Wainwright". However Mr AW did not actually acieve this feat. At the other end of the small summit ridge is the "Lion and the Lamb" as seen from Grasmere. We descended back down to Bracken Hause and then down the steep grassy slopes back to Ghyll Foot. It was a very interesting and enjoyable day although the start was much to be desired.

MAP