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Grange, Grange Fell, Great Crag, Stonethwaite, Rosthwaite, Cumbria.
[ 12.9 km] Wed  04 Mar 2009

The weather forecast was uncertain and it was snowing heavily when I left home. As I drove north along the M6 the temperature dropped to 0degC at Tebay but had risen to 4 by the time I reached Grange-in-Borrowdale. I was on my way just after 8am and was soon wandering through the Cummacatta Wood area. There are many paths around and its not obvious which is the ‘through’ route.


View above Cummacatta Wood.

 


On Grange Fell

A direct route up King’s How looked inviting but I doubt there’s a safe way up so continued on the path to Troutdale and followed the main stone stepped path through the trees and up towards Grange Fell. There had been a light snowfall overnight and the sky was now mostly clear. I reached the top of the climb and regretted not having brought my sunglasses. There was no obvious path on the ground but I soon came across one to the SE of King’s How. I had nice views across Borrowdale and the fells beyond.

Over the wall I climbed to the Summit of Brund Fell at 420m. The weather and views were so good I hung around a bit to take in the views and have some coffee. There was also a nice flat spot which was big enough for a tent though I don’t know what’s under the snow. I descended to the east and joined the wall and path down to Puddingstone Bank and the main path from Rosthwaite to Watendlath. I crossed it and headed across open ground towards Great Crag. The faint path vanished and I had some boggy ground to cross before picking up the main path from Watendlath.


Great Crag and Skiddaw beyond.


The path below Lingy end

I followed the snow covered stepped path up towards Great Crag and had to leave it to climb to the actual summit. I descended via a gully and even though the snow wasn’t deep it was quite difficult underfoot as I couldn’t see the rocks below. When I got to flat ground it was an easy walk to join the main path down to Lingy End. Descending the stepped path I met a few people coming up.

Continuing through Stonethwaite I crossed the main B5289 and headed down the late to Longthwaite. It was a very nice hidden corner of Cumbria and the path along the River Derwent is one I’ve never been on before. At the entrance to High Hows Wood was a sign on a gate saying that Millican Dalton’s cave was closed due to a rock fall dated Mar 2009. I didn’t have time to check it out but kept on the main path all the way back to Grange.


Ford & stepping stones
River Derwent.