Grasmere Fells, Tarns & Gingerbread 20+mi. 16/04/2011.

Grasmere.

A low-key event for me this time from Grasmere, organised by Morecambe Bay & Bowland LDWA (this group really does organise some excellent events in the LDWA calendar). This one provided a very testing 20+ mile route with 6,780' of ascent. It's not a race and not timed, but I timed myself at 5:47. A speed of well under 4mph indicates how tough it is.

The route took us to the summits of Fairfield, Helm Crag, Silver Howe and Loughrigg. The ground was surprisingly wet after rain during the week, while further south in Manchester had remained as dry as ever. Having left home in a cloudless dawn, the Lakeland fells were disappearing into low-hanging clouds. They added to the mystique. On the descent from Fairfield I was very lucky in having the clouds part to reveal spectacular views of Grisedale Tarn. The path appeared to drop vertiginously off the edge of the mountain to the water below. For other participants the clouds did not part, but they created a different spectacle of a Brocken spectre as the sun cast their shadow onto the clouds at their feet.

Grisedale Tarn from Fairfield.


Grisedale Tarn is finally revealed.

Upon finishing, with our certificate we were given a complementary slice of gingerbread from the world-famous Sarah Nelson's Grasmere Gingerbread shop from just around the corner. What a treat.

All the pictures are here.