Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
Our Christmas week break in Ambleside threw up only one really suitable day
for Fell climbing .. the Christmas Eve day. The forecasted clear skies did not
disappoint which provided some amazing views from the summit. The route
described here starts from Seathwaite Farm and follows the popular route up
to Stockley Bridge. From there, AW noted two routes ..
Route A - the direct route from the intake wall after Stockley Bridge up a steep
grass path that dissects the rock towers of Aaron Crags
Route B - takes the more circular route along the Styhead Tarn path the last part
of the climb to the summit being pathless on grass
This blog describes Route B
From Keswick, follow the route along the Borrowdale valley towards Seathwaite.
The long road leading to the Farm has many spaces for free car parking, however
nearer the Farm entrance the verges have been blocked of with large boulders
We arrive at the Farm and Camp site. The public path skirts between two rows of
buildings to a gate at the bottom end of the Farm
Not today though !!
Passing Strawberry Gill coming down from Base Brown
Through a series of wooden gates the track leads unerringly to Stockley Bridge.
Seathwaite Fell is seen directly ahead
Following the line of Grains Gill. The rocky outcrops half way up Seathwaite Fell
are Aaron Crags and provide the most direct route to the summit
Taylorgill Force
Approaching Stockley Bridge
Through the gate over the bridge and the Sty Head path can be seen cutting a
swathe along the base of Seathwaite Fell. Do NOT turn sharp left after the gate
as this leads up Grains Gill towards Great End
Looking towards Aaron Crags
Starting out on the Sty Head path
Looking towards Seathwaite Fell Northern summit from the Sty Head path
Following the path round that runs parallel with Sty Head Gill
A marker cairn on the left indicates that you can now start to make the ascent
of the West face of Seathwaite Fell. It`s not an exact science as to which point
you make the turn off the Sty Head path as all routes are pathless initially. It`s
a case of taking the slope of least resistance really
Heading for the ridge line
Half way up the slope and Sty Head Tarn comes in to view
The imposing sight of Great Gable
After a steep pull up the grass slope, the gradient eases and the cairn on
the North summit of the Fell appears
Looking South towards Scafell Pike that is just about to get shrouded in cloud
Great Gable and Green Gable on the path towards the North summit
Looking East towards Esk Pike
Looking towards Glaramara
Looking back down the valley that we have travelled along towards
Skiddaw and Blencathra in the North
Me and Jones (the bastard) on the summit of Seathwaite Fell
Click here for a 360 degree view
Great Gable and Green Gable from the summit
Enjoying the views from the summit
