Date: Saturday 25th November 2023
Company: Myself and Ann-Marie
Distance: 9km, Ascent: 475m
Time: 3Hrs 25Mins
Before heading home to Scotland, we set out this morning to ascend the Wainwright nearest to our accommodation in Eskdale, Green Crag. Green Crag is a rocky peak in an area of rocky knolls and boggy moorland. We ascended its neighbour, Harter Fell, in August 2021.
Route:
Thanks to arriving early, we managed to secure one of the limited parking spaces beside the start of the track. Once suited and booted, we set off walking along the track towards Doctor's Bridge and Penny Hill Farm. The walk was cold from the outset with much of the ground frosty white.
Doctor Bridge:
As we progressed along the track towards Low Birker, we passed numerous Herdwicks
.Herdwicks at Low Birker:
Beyond Low Birker, we commenced our ascent towards Tarn Crag via a series of zig-zags.
Zig-zag ascent:
On looking back to frosty Eskdale, and beyond to the Scafell range, I was somewhat envious of anyone able to get out onto these higher peaks. Due to current injuries, I am having to limit my activities.
Looking back to Eskdale valley:
Despite frequently checking the map, I was soon in a maze of deer tracks and found that the path marked on my OutdoorActive map didn't exist on the ground, or at least not where it suggested it should be. It was therefore a case of head in the general direction of Green Crag.
Lots of rocky knolls:
We made our way towards Crook Crag but then opted to skirt round its western flanks to hopefully pick up another track marked on the map leading towards Green Crag.
Crook Crag:
Seascale visible in distance:
From a distance, the final ascent of Green Crag looked very rocky.
Approaching Green Crag:
The final ascent of Green Crag is however much easier than it looks in that a path skirts round the back of the rocky tower and then continues on to the summit with no hands-on required.
Green Crag:
Harter Fell:
Long shadows:
It was great to reach the summit of Green Crag given I was walking in pain despite having taken painkillers.
At the summit of Green Crag:
View from the summit of Green Crag:
View from the summit of Green Crag:
View from the summit of Green Crag:
From the summit, we returned initially via our inbound route but instead of going trackless, we continued to follow the track leading towards Low Birker Tarn.
Looking back to rocky Green Crag:
Heading back towards Tarn Crag:
Low Birker Tarn:
Looking back to Crook Crag and Green Crag:
Beyond the tarn we continued along the track to reach the zig-zags that we had ascended a few hours previous.
Approaching a small ruin:
Eskdale still frosty:
Good to see the Herdwicks again during the walk out.
Herdwicks at Low Birker:
Due to injuries, this wasn't the most productive visit to the Lake District, however getting several new Wainrights ascended was better than sitting about at home. I am really hoping the pain from current injuries will have eased off in advance of my next trip to the Lakes in one month's time.
154 Wainwrights complete, 60 to go
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