Silver How

Silver How

Date

15/3/2010

SILVER HOW - a lovely name for a lovely fell: Silver How is delightful. Not because the summit is remarkable, except for the view; the grassy top is, indeed, the least of its attractions. It is the rough slopes that delight the eye, especially on the Grasmere side, for the intermingling of crag and conifer, juniper and bracken, is landscape artistry at its best

A. Wainwright

Walks done by:

Jed and Barb

Weather:

Very dull overcast day, windy on the tops. Reasonable visibility

Distance

5 miles

Started at:

Grasmere

Height:-

Silver How

1292'

After having our breakfast in the White Lion we made our way to the bus stop to catch the bus to Grasmere. The driver was one of the "Beer by Bus" drivers we had in January. After paying our overpriced fare of over £3 each for the 3 mile trip to Grasmere we sat on the upstairs front seats and had good views of Rydal Water and the surrounding fells.

Getting off at the first stop in Grasmere village, we made our way to the famous gingerbread shop (whose name escapes me, famous eh!). After having a wonder around the village and visiting the art shop, we started the walk to Silver How. Taking it easy we made the summit in a couple of hours and then began the long and sometimes steep descent to Chapel Stile in Langdale. After three pints (one of them free) in Wainwright's Inn, there was still plenty of time before the bus was due, so we took a leisurely stroll along the river to Elterwater. The Britannia Inn looked welcoming so we had a quick drink in there before making our way to the bus stop outside the pub. Returning to Ambleside, we made our way back to the White Lion and enjoyed a very nice evening meal.

A very enjoyable day.

Grasmere village

Stone Arthur towers above the Keswick road out of Grasmere

This very odd shaped house is on the lane at the beginning of the walk

...and from the same spot, Silver How

This is the lane that leads to Allan Bank, the home of Wordsworth from 1808 - 1811. Our route passes the house

Helm Crag from the lane

Helm Crag (L) and Seat Sandall (R)

After passing Allan Bank we passed this lovely farm by the name of Score Crag Farm

Looking back down the track to Seat Sandall and Buttermere on the right

Then the serious work begins, this is steeper than it looks....

...but worth it for the views that open up. Grasmere Lake lies at the foot of Loughrigg

Looking back along our path of ascent

Enjoying the mountains. Barb with Gibson Knott and Helm Crag supplying a magnificent background

Brigstone Moss in light sunshine.

A small tarn above Brigstone Moss

Bowfell

Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes

Grasmere from Silver How

Silver How summit, and sign regarding footpath changes

Barb on the summit

...and me on it. (rare for me to be in two photo's in one report!!, and you can see why - spoiling a view like this!!

Looking south from Silver How to Dow Bank. Our route down

Grasmere and Rydal Water from near the summit

And as we began the decent this RAF Hercules flew below us

Over to the SW, Lingmoor Fell with the Coniston fells behind it shrouded in cloud

A flock of sheep on the long climb to Swirl How

Barb descending from Silver How

Rydal Water

At last, the sun comes out, but not for long.

Waiting for his pals to come up from below

Looking back to Silver How

Silver How in shade.

After the steep descent it was a short walk to Walthwaite (above)

..where we saw this very old barn

...and very old sheds. Just out of sight to the left of the shed is a gate which .....

.....gave us a glimpse of thousands of purple and white crocuses in front of the old barn.

After leaving the delights of Walthwaite, we soon arrived at Wainwright's Inn

Next was a short walk along the river to the Britannia Inn at Elterwater.

The water was very clear.

Me on a bridge over Great Langdale Beck

The river level was not high.

but there was still plenty of white water at the waterfalls

As you near Elterwater this old mine is visible from the quarry road