Walk

Walk : Tarn Crag (1,801 ft) from Grasmere via Easdale Tarn and the east ridge

Date : 20^th September 2020

Weather : Sunny, warm @ 21°C

Distance : 7 miles round trip

Time Taken : 2 hour 15 mins to summit

Which part of Lakeland is this walk situated

Terrain Overview

Overview

When we last came down from a Wainwright summit (Brock Crags – 20/3/20) little did we know what the following 6 months had in store. Even after travel

Restrictions had been lifted on visiting Lakeland, circumstances both internal and external prevented us from travelling. On the 18^th September I took early

retirement from work and we had booked a holiday cottage in Ambleside for the ensuing week so as to “re-humanise” after this momentous personal milestone,

also our first walk with our new four legged friend …. Spud – a 9 week old cairn terrier who needed to be carried in a sling until he has had all his injections

Tarn Crag in the Central region was conveniently situated to where we were staying and the weather was thankfully glorious. This walk is one of those that gently

eases the legs back into the routine of fell walking with a gentle mile and half or so from the centre of Grasmere before climbing is required. I recommend the short

detour we made to visit Easdale Tarn first before getting on to the East ridge to climb to the summit

This walk starts at the Red Bank Road car park next door to Tweedies in Grasmere, at the time of doing this blog it was £7.50 for a full day. Here we are all suited

and booted with the Spud meister securely fastened away in his pouch

Out of the car park walk down the lane opposite past Tweedies towards the main road

At the end of the lane cross the main road and take the Easdale Road that leads out of the village

Continue down the road which opens out more the further away it goes from the village. Head down the open track towards the big farm house seen here

As you approach the farmhouse look out for a small track that branches off right

The track narrows a little as it heads out to Far Easdale

Through the gate and swing left

At this juncture shortly past the gate, keep left and follow the line of the wall

The path gently meanders through open pasture as it heads towards Sour Milk Gill which can be seen top right of the picture

Close up on Sour Milk Gill

The track eventually reaches the footbridge at Stythwaite Steps and this signifies a left turn to follow the path towards Easdale Tarn

The path follows the line of the wall enclosure and climbs gently

Looking left from the path across to the “interesting boulders” that Wainwright noted in Book 3 during his description of this walk

Looking left across the valley towards Helm Crag from the path

Approaching Easdale Tarn

Easdale Tarn in all its glory. From this point you need to turn right to pick up the track to get on the east ridge of Tarn Crag

Here we are on the track and just looking back to the Tarn, which was a popular picnic spot today

Looking up to the east ridge of Tarn Crag. Don’t be put off by the lack of an obvious path initially as one soon appears as you head towards the ridge

The path becomes clearer as height is gained

One last look back to the Tarn before the steeper climbing work begins

Higher still and a distinct grass track cuts a swathe through the heather to get on the ridge line proper. The triangular shaped peak in the background is the

first view of the summit

The summit in the centre of the shot is reached by the wide grass track

Approaching the summit

Made it !!! – well done young Spud – only another 213 to go for you !!!!!

Ste on the summit of Tarn Crag

Click here for a 360 degree view from the summit of Tarn Crag … https://youtu.be/oLAne2YJSIM

Looking south to a distant Windermere

Looking across to the Langdale Pikes and Pavey Arc

Phew !!! – looks like the Spud meister is buggered after his first Wainwright fell J