on location

Route details and photographs of areas where Andy has been walking, sketching and gathering references for future work.

This route was part of Andy's fascinating and unique project "The Wainwrights in Colour". Click here

The forecast looked promising so I set off early to take on a route around Easedale in the Central Fells. Please note from the photographs, like most of my walks they are not a guide to a "standard" route. I spend much of my time seeking out some odd locations for references for my Wainwright project which adds time and mileage to my days out.

At about 7.30am the day looked promising as I headed West on the A66, from near Scales, St. Johns in the Vale shrouded in mist.

After parking in Grasmere I headed up to Silver How, here looking back to Helm Crag in the early sun.

Last of the mists over Grasmere and Rydal Water.

Autumn tints across to Fairfield.

Nearing the summit from the top of the scree gully route the Langdale Pikes come into view.

Blue skies behind Zeta.

Silver How summit and a grand view of the Lake district's finest.

The Coniston Fells from Silver How. Even though Blea Rigg was to be my next fell I headed South West from here towards Meg Gill as there were a couple of "targets" I needed.

Looking to Loughrigg over Spedding Crag. I had been along to the crag and was now above Meg Gill.

In less than 1 hour the bright blue skies had completely gone. Elterwater and a distant Windermere.

As a consequence of my Wainwright's project I spend about 40 minutes locating this pile of stones.

Back on route to Blea Rigg, Lang How reflected in the tarn.

AW reckoned this shelter was "not for the squeamish". It is small but would make a good dog kennel.

Rock Tors on Blea Rigg.

The Stone shelter on Blea Rigg summit.

Blea Rigg summit and the forward route to Sergeant Man.

Easedale Tarn through a break in the cloud.

The rock pool by the path to Sergeant Man. Visibility was now poor.

Sergeant Man summit. From what started off as a glorious day it was now a day for map and compass work to navigate to the next hill, Calf Crag. The tops here can be fairly pathless if you stray.

It was a good half hour before there was enough visibility to get another photograph, here next to the broken fence to the east of Deep Slack. Ullscarf still in cloud.

The route to come, Calf Crag down to Helm Crag. Far Easedale down to the right.

Calf crag summit with Tarn Crag across the dale.

Looking back to Pike of Carrs and a now cloud free Sergeant Man.

Horn Crag below Gibson Knott.

Gibson Knott summit and the Langdale Pikes

I had to retrace my steps to find the summit of Gibson Knott according to A.W. "His" summit shown here is now seldom visited as can be seen by the covering of grass. The recognised summit can be seen in the distance with the cairn just on the skyline.

The ridge route to Helm Crag from Gibson Knott passes close to these rather pink rocks.

A patchwork of colours on Steel Fell as I climb Helm Crag. Gibson Knott is on the left.

The Howitzer on Helm Crag.

The southern summit of Helm Crag, known as The Lion and the Lamb.

Heading down off Helm Crag with Grasmere below.

From the slopes of Helm Crag the view back up Easedale.

Other walkers heading towards Grasmere after a mixed day on the fells. A day that proved that despite the forecast, it is always essential to go prepared. Without a map and compass in the mists today navigating would have been difficult and dangerous.