Sergeant Man and Blea Rigg
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SERGEANT MAN - the view is of mountains almost exclusively, not valleys. BLEA RIGG - the rough top with its many outcrops and small tarns is entirely attractive, and the paths hereabouts are interesting to explore A. Wainwright |
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| Date |
24/1/2009 |
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| Walks done by: |
Jed, Susan, Paul, Pam, Tony B, Tony M |
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| Weather: |
Cold, Dry, Sunny periods |
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| Distance |
10 miles |
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| Started at: |
Grasmere |
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| Height:- |
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| Sergeant Man |
2414' |
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| Blea Rigg |
1776' |
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Our first walk of 2009 and a thoroughly enjoyable one too. Although I'd looked at the forecast, which turned out to be wrong, I hadn't looked at what it been like in the last seven days. So as we passed Lancaster on the M6 we could see there was snow on the fells, which we hadn't accounted for, although we should have done!!.
Eventually we arrived at Grasmere and set off towards Easedale Tarn. The snow line was quite low and soon we had reached it. It was a bit icy underfoot to the tarn, but after that there was nice snow which was easy to walk on. It got thicker, much thicker, as we gained height. Nearing Sergeant Man summit the snow was between 8 and 15 inches deep, and deeper where drifting had occurred. Poor Troy was up to his belly in it at times and had turned a bright pink underneath. Apart from a 15 minute period on the way down from the summit when a strong and bitter wind affected him, he had a great time.
The next summit was Blea Rigg which we reached with ease, but after that we were beginning to flag as the extra energy used to tramp through the thick snow began to take its toll. So, as light was failing we chose to omit Silver How and head for Grasmere.
After drying off we headed home - but first stopping in Staveley for a bit to eat and a well earned pint |
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| The view as we left Grasmere |
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| The ascent to Easedale Tarn begins |
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| Tarn Crag above Easedale Tarn |
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| Passing the site of the old Refreshment hut at Easedale Tarn |
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| Paul and Susan negotiate the path alongside Easedale Tarn |
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| Leaving Easedale Tarn the serious climb is about to begin |
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| Belles Knott |
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| But first a stop to have lunch. Troy is starving - but he knows he wont get anything from Tony so goes straight to Pam |
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| Tony B, Susan and a distant Tony M |
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| Looking back to Easedale Tarn from our lunch spot |
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| The skies begin to clear above Belles Knott |
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| After lunch the climb really begins, this is looking back to our ascent route |
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| As we climb the snow is deeper and Troy runs back to see if we are OK |
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| Codale Tarn |
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| ...and a final look back down to Easedale Tarn |
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| Troy, on the skyline, leads the way on the ridge with the rest of us a good way back |
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| Troy, Paul, Susan, Tony and Pam on the climb to the Sergeant Man - Blea Rigg path |
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| Looking towards Seat Sandal |
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| Susan, Tony B, Tony M and Troy finally get sight of Sergeant Man |
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| Sergeant Man (top left) |
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| Tony and Tony step forth |
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| Looking towards Langdale |
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| Sergeant Man with some walkers on the summit |
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| Troy makes his ascent to the summit .... |
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| ......Followed by Pam, Tony and Susan |
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| Lake Windermere from near the summit |
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| Tony, Tony and Troy approach the top |
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| Tony, Tony and Troy on the summit |
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| Troy waits for the rest of the group |
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| A lone walker as seen from Sergeant Man |
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| Susan, Paul, Pam, Tony B and Tony M atop Sergeant Man |
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| Tony M, Susan, Paul, Pam and Jed on Sergeant Man |
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| Many sets of footprints lead to High Raise and their owners are just visible near the summit |
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| Tony M and Pam start the descent from Sergeant Man... |
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| ...as do Troy, Paul and Susan |
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| Pam negotiates the steep descent |
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| ..and finds it easier as the slope eases |
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| Stickle Tarn, Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle. |
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| Blea Rigg summit |
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| Susan and Paul leaving Blea Rigg summit |
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| Having a breather and taking in the views |
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| The light has all but gone as we make our final descent to wards the lights of Grasmere |
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