Grains Gill, Sprinkling Tarn and Styhead Tarn

Friday 31st May 2019

Walking Diary (All Walks) Lakeland Wainwrights Southern

This was meant to be a lovely walk to Scafell Pike via Grains Gill and Esk Hause with a return via the Corridor Route. But due to extremely bad weather and considering that we were with a group of non fell walkers - we aborted and turned right at the top of Grains Gill and headed back to Seathwaite via Sprinkling & Styhead Tarns. There has been little rain recently in the fells, so they were very dry and todays rain seemed to flow straight off making the simplest of brook/beck crossings a real challenge. A happy group of youngsters led by myself & Davey returned back to the cars drenched - but safe. A quick beer was had before they started their weekend celebrations in the lakes and me and Dav headed for home.

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Distance: 7.1 miles
Duration: 4:00 hours
Ascent: 1770 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Accompanied By: Davey, Lauren, Ben, Sam, Mike, Georgia, Gareth, Ashleigh & Danny,
Weather: Persistent Rain & High Winds

Wainwrights Visited

Scafell Pike Seathwaite Fell

3D outline of route

Parking

Pouring rain at Seathwaite as we start our attempt of Scafell Pike. The forecast was that it would ease off later and brighter spells were expected in the afternoon - but it didn't give that impression as we tried to find enough waterproof clothing for everyone. This wasn't looking promising.

Plenty of water in Grains Gill today - this increased somewhat as the day went on.

Quite a few out despite the poor weather

This operation became a frequent event higher up

So much for waterproof boots with Goretex - It doesn't stop the water coming in the top ! Wet feet all round

The biggest cheer of the day - The moment we decided to turn round and head for home ! The plan was to have a coffee and snack at Sprinkling Tarn - but even that was ditched as the wind and rain really whipped up when we got there.

A severe blast of wind and rain from the west was present at the Styhead Pass - the stretcher box provided a limited wind break for a few minutes - what a shame, this could have been a great day out

A bridge for once - may have been difficult to cross here without it

Was it everything you had hoped for Ashleigh ?

A view of the Borrowdale appears - finally something good

I knew it would get better - but too late for us ! Another attempt is to be planned