A mixed to poor weather forecast for today, but it should be dry so we set off on a 'Grisedale Tarn circuit'.
Starting from Patterdale, this hike takes in a gradual long ascent adjacent to Grisedale Beck. We then turn back towards Fairfield and Cofa Pike (optional), St Sunday Crag and Birks for the return to Patterdale.
Rex is doing very well considering that this is all new to him. However, why walk in a relatively straight line when you can engage in random zig-zagging...?
Some items to note here:
1) The direct descent that we took, NNW from Fairfield, is best avoided in my opinion. It has some very trick rocky sections. Best to first retrace to the West and take the other, smoother path
2) The entirety of Cofa Pike is a rocky scramble. Nothing technically challenging, but difficult
3) Both Fairfield and Cofa Pike can be easily skipped from this hike by taking a different path E from Grisedale Tarn towards Deepdale Hause
Panorama View from St Sunday Crag
1) The Patterdale hotel offers all day parking for non-patrons [NY 39547 15947] (other side of road from the hotel). Some very limited spaces in roadside laybys [eg NY 39716 15827].
2) Carefully check if residents/patrons only for other car parking spots, otherwise Glenridding
3) Bus 508 from Penrith, Bus 509 (limited service) from Keswick or Penrith
Patterdale, Grisedale Beck, Grisedale Tarn, Fairfield [whiteout], Cofa Pike, St Sunday Crag, Gavel Pike, Birks, Thornhow End
Distance 10.08 miles, Time 6.10 h, Total Ascent 3,465 ft
Wainwright Pictorial Guide: The Eastern Fells
