St. Sunday Crag

Starting at Patterdale and climbing gently towards Grisedale Tarn, continuing more steeply up to the summit and along the ridge of St. Sunday Crag; finishing with a steep descent of stone steps back down into Patterdale.

Unfortunately the glorious weather of the previous week was replaced by low cloud, driving rain and extremely gusty winds, so the much aniticipated fantastic view from the summit was almost completely obscured.

Just to illustrate what a difference a change in the weather can make, I'm including a photo taken near the summit by another "These Boots" walker, who was much luckier with the weather on her walk a few days earlier.

Setting off from Patterdale, the weather not yet looking too unpleasant

Inquisitive sheep come over to see who's walking along "their" valley

A little further on the clouds begin to descend.

Looking back down the valley towards Patterdale

Ruthwaite Lodge visible on the slope below the summit of High Crag

 

Ruthwaite Lodge, a climbing hut is built on the site of former underground mineworkings, with the remains of some shallow open workings visible near the Lodge.

A rather murky first glimpse of Grisedale Tarn appears through the low cloud

The view back towards Patterdale now completely obscured

Grisedale Tarn

Leaving Grisedale Tarn and starting the ascent to the summit of St. Sunday Crag, Grisedale Beck can be seen meandering its way down the valley towards Patterdale.

Grisedale Tarn slowly disappearing from view

Another walking party pick their way carefully down the slope towards Ruthwaite Lodge

 At this point in the walk the weather took a decided turn for the worse. Dense cloud cover, high winds and driving rain made it impossible to take any more photos until the summit was reached.

Made it!

Now just for comparison's sake.... here's the view of Ullswater that greeted us on Tuesday ...

 .....and here's the view that the lucky walkers saw a few days earlier...

...hmmmmm!

Glenridding, on the edge of Ullswater

Ullswater

As we descended the weather began to clear



Bluebells seem to be enjoying a very long flowering season this year



Fresh green bracken growth contrasts with the dead brown fronds from last year

An apparently dead and rotting tree somehow still manages to put on new leaf growth, at the same time providing an important habitat for insects.

Arriving back into Patterdale, with the musical accompaniment of running water throughout Waterfall Wood.

http://youtu.be/U4n4JDam3-A

 Thanks for visiting my blog, I hope you enjoyed the photos.