An exciting ascent of Eagle Crag, leading up to High Raise by Sergeant's Crag with a return via Greenup Edge and Ullscarf

Route: From Stonethwaite village , cross Stonethwaite Beck and walk up the valley to a watersmeet where the beck is re-crossed before heading up the fell side by a broken wall to the crags under the summit of Eagle Crag.  Here climb a stile and finding a breach in the rocky crags, climb up to zig-zag through the terraces on to the summit of Eagle Crag.  From here follow the ridge path to Sergeant's Crag.  A pathless ascent leads up to the highest point of the walk on High Raise.  Then follow the fence posts down to Greenup Edge (an escape point in bad weather) and up on to Ullscarf.  The way now follows the broad ridge over High saddle and Low Saddle, eventually leading down to Dock Tarn where the descent is made through woods back to Stonethwaite.

On a glorious day, the exciting prospect of Eagle Crag lies ahead

Cross the bridge over Greenup Gill to begin the ascent of Eagle Crag

The watersmeet of Greenup Gill and Langstrath Beck

Ascending the fell by a broken wall - it's steep!

But there is a beautiful view back into Borrowdale

Under the cliffs, climb an awkward stile ...

... and head upward to find a narrow gully ...

... which Wainwright describes as 'the key to the ascent'

The summit cairn on bare rock ...

... and a fabulous view!

The path leading to Sergeant's Crag

Another rocky summit

Looking towards High Raise - and a rather tedious ascent on grass

The summit of High Raise
It's a rocky place and Beattie is well camouflaged!

Somebody offers to take our photo - we accept!

The view north from High Raise

After lunch we head towards Greenup Edge
This is the pass connecting Borrowdale and Grasmere

We are following an old fence line up to the summit of Ullscarf
Wainwright describes this as a marshy ascent, but today we are lucky as the recent dry weather
has helped to dry out the bog!

The summit cairn on Ullscarf - our final summit of the day

Blea Tarn from Low Saddle

Dock Tarn with some thick heather to negotiate!

As we walk back to Stonethwaite, there is a marvellous retrospective view of Eagle Crag and the route we have taken today!

To post a comment click here

Return to top

Photographs taken with a Fuji MX-2900 Zoom or a Canon EOS 20D
Copyright © 2008 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved

THE PICTORIAL GUIDES

The Eastern Fells
The Far Eastern Fells
The Central Fells
The Southern Fells
The Northern Fells
The North Western Fells
The Western Fells

The 214 Challenge