Walk : Birks (2,040 ft) and St Sunday Crag (2,756ft)
from Patterdale
Date : 14th July
2019
Weather : Extensive
cloud cover @ 23°C high humidity
Distance : 6 miles round trip
Time
Taken : 1 hour 40 mins to first
summit (Birks)
Which
part of Lakeland is this walk situated
Terrain
Overview
Overview
We returned to
A steep climb initially to the first summit of Birks
via Thornhow End however a good track and easy navigation.
An exhilarating ridge walk up by
another 700 ft up to St
Sunday Crag with magnificent views towards Nethermost Cove and all the drama of
Striding Edge and Helvellyn
From the A592 towards Patterdale
and Glenridding a car park on the right hand side of
the road just pat the Patterdale Hotel is the
starting point for this walk
At the time of writing the charge was £4.50 for all
day. From the car park walk across to the Hotel car park to the right behind
the building to pick up the track
All suited and booted, and JtB
is ready for the off
Behind the Hotel and the walker pictured has just emerged
from the path on the right
The path journeys through a small wooded area to a
gate in the fence
Through the gate the path veers right and cuts through
a large area of bracken
Just over half a mile down the track and a gate gives
access to
Crossing through
The path makes a sharp right turn as it crosses a
small Ghyll
Following the path round to the start of the steep
climb up to Thornhow End
Near a large Oak tree take the path branches off to
the left that signifies the start of the steep section
Climbing up towards Thornhow
End, the path is stepped to assist with the steepness
Foxgloves amidst the dense bracken
As further height is gained the path becomes less
steep as it journeys to wards the
The path that skirts the side of Birkhouse Moor which leads up to the “Hole in the Wall” en
route to Helvellyn. Catstye Cam peeps over the Birkhouse
Moor ridge line
Through the gate and turn right
Looking East towards Arnison
Crag from the path
The path then turns to flank the west side of Birks as
it climbs steadily
Looking west over towards Sheffield Crag
A perfect place to take a quick rest from the hard
climb and take in the wonderful view across Ullswater
Slightly further on from the resting point the path
levels off completely. Admission time here at this point you need to make a
pathless ascent up the flank of Birks so as
to gain the ridge
line, which we initially failed to do, however it is possible to continue along
the path to the start of the climb to St Sunday Crag pictured here straight
ahead and then double
back on your self and walk up a very well defined grass path towards Birks
summit. We chose to make the pathless climb and get to the ridge line
before you approach the
summit
Having gained the ridge line a more
well defined path becomes visible which leads to the summit of Birks
The summit cairn on Birks
Click here for a 360 degree view from the summit of
Birks … https://youtu.be/bL72Pj9TjHE
Looking across to High Hartsop
Dodd, Gray Crag and the High Raise ridge line in the background
Looking towards Nethermost Cove and Helvellyn
Jones sets off towards St Sunday Crag
The ridge route to St Sunday Crag. The
line of ascent we took skirted the edge as shown however for those not wishing
to venture so close to the edge can take a path
that branches off
left towards Gavel Pike (the peak on the left)
Towards the upper part of the edge path and a little
rock handling is required
Hang on Sue
Looking back down the ridge path to Birks
The path becomes less steep as it approaches the
summit
Just before we reach the summit and we stop to chat a
while with these lovely people from
Pleasure to meet and speak with you guys – enjoy the
rest of your walk !!!
Team shot on the summit of St Sunday Crag.
Unfortunately our time on the summit was greatly curtailed by an invasion of
flies and flying ants !!!
Click here for a 360 degree view from the summit of St
Sunday Crag … https://youtu.be/ihGqd7clrXY
Dollywaggon Pike and
Nethermost Pike
Helvellyn and Striding
Edge
Catstye Cam
The summit cairn on St Sunday Crag
Looking back to Ullswater
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