Day 5 Grasmere to Patterdale (via St Sunday Crag and a hike up and down Fairfield)(15.7 Km, total ascent: 1148m)

Day 5 Grasmere to Patterdale  (15.7 Km, total ascent: 1148m)

Today was potentially a relatively easy day with a moderate climb up to Grisedale tarn and a walk down the Grisedale Valley to Patterdale.  There are two high route options and we decided if weather permitted to do one of these along a fell called St Sunday Crag.

We left Rothay Garden Hotel and headed up Great Tongue to Grisedale Tarn.  When we reached Grisedale Tarn, it was still quite misty so we decided to wait to see if the mist cleared.  It seemed like it was about to lift so we headed up a track we thought would take us to St Sunday Crag.  Unfortunately we took an earlier track than we should have and climbed an adjacent fell called Fairfield.  Our map showed a trail connecting Fairfield and St Sunday Crag so when we realised our error we continued to the summit.  At the summit the mist was dense and we could only see about 20ft ahead, just making out the next cairn marking the path over the rocky summit.  We decided to turn back down the trail we had climbed.  When below the mist we made our own path around the west face of Fairfield, contouring around on to St Sunday Crag.  By the time we had done this, the mist lifted and we had magnificent 360 degree views.

We farewell the Rothay Garden Hotel

As we leave Grasmere, we can just see the 'Lion and the Lamb' on Helm Crag in the mist.

The trail ahead up Great Tongue following Little Tongue Gill (Left).  Tongue Gill is to the right

Gary at the top of Great Tongue in the mist.

The crag looms in the mist

Grisedale Tarn looking down the Grisedale Valley

Panorama of Grisedale Tarn

We begin the (accidental) climb up Fairfield which starts with a nice stepped path which leads to a tight zigzag steep ascent on gravel.

As we reach the summit of Fairfield the path becomes difficult to follow in the mist.

We can only see a short distance ahead, the cairns become difficult to see.

On descending out of the mist we follow sheep trails to contour around the side of Fairfield.

We have a great view down valley along Deepdale Beck.

Across the Grisedale Valley we can see Helvellyn shrouded in mist and the narrow ridge of Striding Edge.

Looking back to Fairfield and the ridge and Crag we would have had to negotiate in the mist had we not retraced our path.

Looking back to Grisedale Tarn

The high route via Dollywagon Pike, High Crag and Nethermost Pike to Helvellyn and Striding Edge on the right.

The mist lifts giving a clear view of Helvellyn  and Striding Edge.

As we continue to up the path to St Sunday Crag.

We have a great view of Ullswater and Glenridding.

The sheep watch on in amusement.

There is a steep descent from St Sunday Crag.

Glenridding and Ullswater.

A preview of the first part of our next days climb, we will be heading up and to the right.

At last we reach Patterdale.

And Old Water View, our B&B.

The Bothy, our room for the night.