I’ve been wanting to hike St Sunday Crag since last Summer but never got round to it. Kind of glad we never did it in the summer months as I imagine it’s a popular one. The snow just makes the mountains extra special and so much more quiet, which is why I love hiking at this time of year. You can find the route we ‘sort of’ followed here, although we did cut out ‘Gavel Pike’. It took us 5 hours and 9 minutes in total, from and to the Patterdale Hotel. It would take much less time than this in the summer months as it’s much easier to walk when the ground isn’t so slippy. Just bear this in mind if you are planning on heading up here over the winter months, as daylight is limited and you don’t want to be stuck on a mountain in the cold and the dark.
We parked at the car park opposite the Patterdale Hotel. It’s £4.50 for the day and only accepts change, so remember to take a pot of money with you! From the car park you cross the road over to the Patterdale Hotel and then you follow a foot path behind the hotel.
The first mile or so is pretty tough going. It’s steep but it does mean that you end up getting pretty high, quite quickly and the views certainly keep you going, so don’t forget to look behind you!
Josh and Erik above Ullswater.
Descending down to Grisedale Tarn from the top of St Sunday Crag.
It’s a good job Josh brought his pick axe along with us because it really helped when the ground got a little slippy. I think a pick axe and some decent crampons or shoe chains are going to be my next purchase.
After reaching the tarn and stopping for a quick bite to eat, we made our way back down to the car. It took way longer than we thought from the tarn!
The light on the way back down was beautiful. I love it when the grass looks all golden.
The two of us.
And me being a poser. The best out of a bad bunch!
And almost back to the car!
Some really cool sheep that came over when I rustled my bag of Maltesers at them.
We stopped at Kirkstone pass to watch the sun set but then it was too cold so we jumped back in the car. We then saw the most wonderful sunset on our ride home in the wing mirrors!
What a day yesterday was. We were hoping for some snow and we certainly got it! A little sprinkle came down just as we started the ascent. There were some icy parts underfoot but we quickly reached the soft powdery stuff. The route we took was fairly quiet, although we saw plenty of other hikers in the distance on Helvellyn, Fairfield Horseshoe and Dollywagon Pike. Fairfield Horseshoe was one of the first hikes Josh and I ever did together. It was during the Christmas holidays in the snow, with perfect views across the Lake District. In fact, you can find that post here! Even though it’s a very short one with some terribly blurry imagery, it is one of the first hikes that made me love the mountains so much. As you can see, I’ve had the same Patagonia down jacket since 2014 and it’s still going strong, although I think I’ll treat myself to a new one with a hood once the house is finished.
I’m not sure what the plan is for today, although I think I’ll try to get some tidying done and do a bit of art work before the evening. It would have been nice to get out sledging but almost all of the snow has disappeared where we live.. and to be honest I don’t think I have the energy after yesterday. I might make a chilli con carne if we have all the ingredients. I was craving it yesterday after our walk but couldn’t be bothered making it and buying it ready made is never the same. It’s the perfect meal after a hike or whilst camping with some mash or in a wrap with plenty of cheese, mmm. Right, time to close my laptop for today and do something productive… or watch the rest of The Serpent.