The Greenburn Round

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Route: Grasmere, Easedale Road, White Crag, High Raven Crag, Helm Crag, Bracken Hause, Gibson Knott, Moment Crag, Calf Crag, Shoots, Steel Fell, Cotra Breast, Helmside, Ghyll Foot, Grasmere

Date: 09/12/2017
From: Grasmere

Parking: A591 Layby
Start Point: Grasmere
Region: Central Fells

Route length: 7.8 miles (12.55 km)
Time taken: 03:58
Average speed: 1.97 mph
Ascent: 743m
Descent: 752m

Wainwrights on this walk:
Helm Crag (405m), Gibson Knott (422m), Calf Crag (537m), Steel Fell (553m)

Other Summits: None

Other Points of Interest: Far Easedale, Greenburn

Despite the modest height of the surrounding fells, a circuit of the Greenburn valley has so far defeated me on three previous occasions; wind, rain and wind-blown snow being the main culprits. This time, however, there was nothing standing in the way of finally joining up the route between Helm Crag and Steel Fell.

It was a promising forecast, sun for much of the day but cold with a significant dusting of snow. It had all the hallmarks of a great day out.

The starting point I've used many times is the long layby along the A591 as it leaves Grasmere to the north, heading for Dunmail Raise. Arriving here early is the key as, even on quiet days, it can quickly fill up. A short stroll through the village is required to reach Easdale Road which begins the route towards Far Easedale.

Helm Crag basking in the morning sun

The fells above Far Easedale

Silver How

Prior to reaching Brimmer Head Farm, a narrow walled lane leaves the road to begin climbing Helm Crag. Despite the huge rocks on the ground, it's helpfully signed posted 'no cars' - I'd be surprised if anything could actually drive up it, even the venerable Land Rover Defender. A well-laid path zigzags up the southern slopes of the fell giving tremendous views of Easedale and Far Easedale beyond. Though the path had a considerable covering of ice, all of it was avoidable for now.

The way is pretty clear

Easedale Beck

Easdale Beck and Easedale

Brimmer Head Farm

Tarn Crag

'NOT FOR CARS'

The lower part of Helm Crag's path

Sun over Loughrigg Fell

Easedale

I paused overlooking Dunmail Raise before pressing on towards the top. The fell turns more rocky and mountainous as you reach the top and it's an interesting place for a look around. The rocks that create The Lion and The Lamb loom ahead and appear to be the highest at first glance. However, along the ridge is an equally prominent rock, The Howitzer, that forms the true summit of the fell. It's climbable but not as straightforward as it initially appears.

Blea Rigg

Far Easedale

The icy path on Helm Crag

Grasmere

Stone Arthur

Seat Sandal, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Stone Arthur and Heron Pike

The Langdale Pikes

Helm Crag's 'Lion'

Looking through Dunmail Raise towards Thirlmere

Helm Crag's summit with Dunmail Raise in the background

Bracken Hause separates Helm Crag from the neighbouring Gibson Knott and provides a quick way back down to the valley below if required. Up ahead is a short climb up onto Gibson Knott, a knobbly section of the ridge that is classed as a fell in its own right.

Bracken Hause, Gibson Knott, Greenburn Bottom and Steel Fell

Steel Fell, Dunmail Raise and the Helvellyn range

Helm Crag from Bracken Hause

Easedale and Silver How

Far Easedale

Gibson Knott's summit looking towards Steel Fell

The path continues on crossing lumps and knolls as it does until it reaches the prominent Calf Crag, standing proud above the empty  Brownrigg Moss though surrounded by higher fells on almost all sides.

Steel Fell

Tarn Crag and Blea Rigg

The ridge route towards Calf Crag

Seat Sandal with Fairfield behind

Blakerigg Crag on Steel Fell

Far Easedale

A brief break in the clouds

The imposing Deer Bields

Far Easedale panorama

Pike of Carrs

Looking back along Far Easedale

Deer Bields, Blea Rigg and a distant Wetherlam

Approaching Calf Crag

The final plod to the summit

Calf Crag's summit cairn

High Raise

High Raise panorama from Calf Crag

From Calf Crag the route is easy enough, following an old boundary fence (marked by the iron posts that remain). It swings close to the edge above Greenburn at Shoots, giving a superb view into the valley. An easy climb follows to reach the summit of Steel Fell.

Far Easedale

Blue skies over the Helvellyn range

Greenburn

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Greenburn

Rough Crag

Brownrigg Moss

The central and southern fells

Nab Crags

Wythburn

One of the old boundary posts on Steel Fell

Panorama from Steel Fell

Steel Fell

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Now, a brief lesson. As I began to make my descent, I happen upon a steep, fairly icy section of Cotra Breast. Given the experience of the day, I decided that by the time I had wrestled my crampons out of the bag and lashed them to my boots I could have negotiated the steep bit and be happily on my way. I had also passed a fell-runner coming in the other direction making light work of the area.

Raise Beck

Cotra Breast

Great Rigg

Panorama from Cotra Breast

Cotra Breast

No sooner had I clambered down the rocks, I stood on a small patch of sheet ice, sending me sprawling down, hard on my shoulder before sliding on my back a short distance. After indulging in some colourful language, I sat up, thankful that I had come to a stop with nothing more than a bruised arm and ego. Fortunately, I was never at risk of being thrown off an edge and it was just a minor scare and a valuable lesson learnt.

Steel Fell

The rest of the descent passed without incident though my shoulder was causing some discomfort. As I sit writing this a month later, it's only just feeling back to its old self. At the bottom of the slope is Helmside Cottage and a stretch of roading walking back to the layby.

The view along Grasmere

Gibson Knott over Greenburn

Helm Crag's summit features

Steel Fell

Greenburn

Below Helm Crag

Cotra Breast leading to Steel Fell

Seat Sandal

So, after numerous attempts to complete the Greenburn Round, I had finally done it. It goes to show that even the more modest peaks can get some gnarly weather. I'll remember this walk for the tumble on Steel Fell but rather it happened here than on something like the Corridor Route. It's all experience in the end.