Thursday, 11 July 2013

Day Five - Grasmere to Patterdale

What a scorcher today was, the first 2 hours were exhausting. A climb of about 2 miles up Great Tongue to a height of around 1600 feet in 27 degrees of blazing sunshine!


All three of us struggled a little but eventually reached the summit, NOT! When you get to what appears to be the top there is one last but significant catch.



The top is finally reached by a short scramble up a cascade of rocks via a pathway of stones, just what you need. Sam naturally skipped up it and left us to struggle onwards


The reward though is fantastic as Grisedale Tarn comes into view backed by Dollywaggon Pike and the route onwards down the Grisedale Pass



We stopped at Grisedal Tarn for lunch and Sam stripped off and went for a dip in the tarn.


It was far to hot to consider any of the optional extras such as a diversion to the top of Helvellyn (3700 feet), they can wait for another day!

The route down is quite simple and eventually the 9 miles in Patterdale were completed.

We stayed at a farm house just outside the village and were very well catered for. The house dated back to the 1600's and apart from a few changes looked the part. Breakfast was great and the pack lunch they made for us very substantial.


We met our Aussie friends again (surprise, surprise in a bar) and had a very enjoyable pub meal. Patterdale is a great 'centre' for the Coast to Coast walk.

Early night tonight as tomorrow is the long march from Patterdale to Shap, a journey of 18 miles

Note: struggling with technology so more photo's to follow.