Lake District Walks
Tarn Crag & Grey Crag
Date: 10th May 2008
Distance: 10.7 miles
Ascent: 2223 feet
Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
With: On my own
Start Grid Ref: NY554062
Walk Summary:
Starting from the summit of the A6 this visit to Tarn Crag and Grey Crag was effectively a high level circuit of Crookdale.
Route Summary: A6 Summit - Whatshaw Common - Little Yarlside - Great Yarlside - Harrop Pike - Tarn Crag - Grey Crag Lord's Seat - Robin Hood - High House Bank - A6 Summit
Pictures:
1. Little Yarlside from Whatshaw Common
2. Approaching Great Yarlside
3. The top of Harrop Pike
4. Deer on Tarn Crag
5. Looking back at Harrop Pike from Tarn Crag
6. The top of Tarn Crag
7. Kentmere Pike from the stone tower on Tarn Crag
8. The top of Grey Crag
9. Looking across Borrowdale to The Forest
10. On the top of Robin Hood
11. Looking back at Robin Hood
12. Crookdale Beck
Walk Detail: After a few weeks where I had been ill on and off this was my first proper exercise for nearly a month. It was a very hot day but unfortunately it also proved to be one of those bright hazy days where the sky gets greyer and duller as the day goes on. The combination of the heat, poor photo conditions and a painful swollen gland on the inside of my leg meant that I did not enjoy this walk quite as much as I should done.
Whatshaw Common, the first top of the day, was nothing to get excited about though I did like Great Yarlside and the little summit was more obvious than it looked on the map. It was also at this point that the weather was at its best. It was a long walk to Harrop Pike which proved to be the best summit of the day before crossing over the depression containing Greycrag Tarn.
Just as I was passing Greycrag Tarn the highlight of the walk occurred when a number of red deer leapt the fence ahead of me and contoured along the flanks of Tarn Crag. The summit of Tarn Crag was set a bit far back for any good views not that there were really any views to be had at this point
Actually I was slightly disappointed with Tarn Crag, even the views of Kentmere Pike and Harter Fell were not as good as I expected. The summit of Grey Crag was a bit featureless but the most disappointing moment of the walk was when I reached the point between Buck Crags and Red Crag where I should have had a super view of both Crookdale and Borrowdale. While I could make out the ridges stretching away the scene was really one of hazy dullness.
I took Lord’s Seat and Robin Hood in my stride with a few more deer sighting to lift my spirits while High House Bank proved to be the shapeliest summit of the day. The final section back to the car was difficult due to the fatigue brought on by the heat. This was definitely not one of my most enjoyable days out in the Lakes but having said that I would venture into these parts again.
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