Sergeant Man & Blea Rigg

2394 feet and 1774 feet respectively

Date                    24/1/2009

Walk done by: Jed, Susan, Paul, Pam, Tony M, Tony B

Weather:            Cold, Dry, Sunny periods

Distance             10 miles.

Started at:          Grasmere

My first walk of 2009 and a thoroughly enjoyable one too. Although I'd looked at the forecast, which turned out to be wrong, I hadn't looked at what it been like in the last week. So as we passed Lancaster on the M6 we could see there was snow on the fells, which we hadn't accounted for, although we should have done!!. After meeting up with Tony and Paul near Junction 36 we flew at 56mph along the Kendal bypass (Tony - you must go faster). Eventually we arrived at Grasmere and set off towards Easedale Tarn. The snow line was quite low and soon we were in it. It was a bit icy underfoot to the tarn, but after that nice snow getting ever thicker as we gained height.

As we neared Sergant Man summit the snow was between 8 and 15 inches deep, and deeper where drifting had occurred. Poor Troy was up to his belly in it at times and had turned a bright pink underneath. Apart from a 15 minute period on the way down from the summit when a strong and bitter wind affected him, he had a great time.

The next summit was Blea Rigg which we reached with ease, but after that we were beginning to flag as the extra energy used to tramp through the thick snow began to take its toll. So, as light was failing we chose to omit Silver How and head for Grasmere.

After drying off we headed home - but first stopping in Staveley for a bit to eat and a well earned pint.

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The view as we left Grasmere

 

 

The ascent to Easdale Tarn begins

 

Tarn Crag above Easedale Tarn

 

 

Passing the site of the old Refreshment hut at Easedale Tarn

 

Paul and Susan negotiate the path alongside vEasedale Tarn

 

Leaving Easedale Tarn the serious climb is about to begin.

 

Belles Knott

 

But first a stop to have lunch. Troy is starving - but he knows he wont get anything from Tony so goes straight to Pam

 

Tony B, Susan and a distant Tony M

 

Looking back to Easedale Tarn from our lunch spot

 

The skies begin to clear above Belles Knott

 

After lunch the climb really begins, this is looking back to our ascent route.

 

Tony M preaches to ?

 

As we climb the snow is deeper and Troy runs bak to see if we are OK

 

Codale Tarn

 

...and a final look back to Easedale Tarn

 

Troy leads the way on the ridge with the rest of us a good way back..

 

Troy, Paul, Susan, Tony and Pam on the climb to the Sergeant Man - Blea Rigg path

 

Looking towards Seat Sandall

 

Susan, Tony B, Tony M and Troy finally get sight of Sergeant Man

 

Sergeant Man (top left)

 

The two Tonys'

 

Looking towards Langdale

 

Sergeant Man with some walkers on the summit

 

Troy makes his ascent to the summit

 

Followed by Pam, Tony and Susan

 

Lake Windermere from near the summit

 

Tony and Tony approach the top

 

Almost there

 

Tony, Tony and Troy on the summit

 

Troy waits for the rest of the group

 

A lone walker as seen from Sergeant Man

 

Susan, Paul, Pam, Tony B and Tony M atop Sergeant Man

 

Tony M, Susan, Paul, Pam and Jed on Sergeant Man

 

Walkers make their way to High Raise

 

Tony M and Pam start the descent from Sergeant Man

 

...as do Troy Paul and Susan

 

EPam negotiates the steep descent

 

..and finds it easier as the slope eases

 

Stickle Tarn, Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle.

 

Susan and Paul leaving Blea Rigg summit

 

Having a breather

 

The light has all but gone as we make our final descent to wards the lights of Grasmere

 

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