An ascent of Green Crag in Eskdale following the route as described in Wainwright's Southern Fells (Green Crag p. 3).  AW says of this ascent, ' A wet morning in Eskdale need not necessarily mean a day's fellwalking lost, for if the sky clears by the early afternoon here is a short expedition well worth trying.' 

Route: Park at The Woolpack Inn in Eskdale (ask permission first) and crossing the River Esk at Doctor Bridge, ascend the peat road via Low Birker farm.  A narrow trod leads across the plateau past Low Birker Tarn to a depression below the rocky top of Green Crag.  A small cairn on rocks points the way for the final ascent.  Return via Crook Crag and the peat road to Penny Hill farm.

Doctor Bridge, an old packhorse bridge named after Dr. Edward Tyson who widened it in 1734 to allow his carriage to pass over it.

Low Birker farm

The path ascends through juniper bushes ...

... up an old peat road

When Wainwright drew a picture of this hut, it had a roof!
These huts were used for storing peat for use in the winter time

First view of Green Crag

Low Birker Tarn

A split rock and a dead tree

A narrow trod leads to the depression between Crook Crag (left) and Green Crag (right)

This small cairn points the way to the summit of Green Crag

The summit of Green Crag
Despite the cloudy conditions, there are some good views ...

... north to the Scafells ...

... and south towards Stickle Pike

Devoke Water to the west

Caw

Looking back on our route

The old parish boundary stone in the depression

We pass a solitary tree

Beattie on Crook Crag
In the background is Harter Fell

The route back is around this boggy depression

Looking back towards Crook Crag

The final descent down another peat road ...

... passing the ruin of another peat hut

Views of Upper Eskdale before descending to the valley

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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