Eagle Crag & Sergeant's Crag - Saturday 5 July 2014
Route
Stonethwaite - Smithymire Island - Bleak How - Eagle Crag - Sergeant's Crag - Greenup Gill - Smithymire Island - Stonethwaite
Parking
Stonethwaite (near the School - Free) - Grid Ref NY260139
Mileage
6 miles
Terrain
Generally good mountain, riverside and field paths with a steep ascent and descent. The descent off Sergeant's Crag to Greenup Gill is steep and mainly pathless.
Weather
Sunny with fresh breezes on the summits. Very good visibility.
Time Taken
4hrs
Total Ascent
2152ft (656m)
Wainwrights
2
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Stonethwaite - Smithymire Island - Bleak How - Eagle Crag - Sergeant's Crag - Greenup Gill - Smithymire Island - Stonethwaite
Parking
Stonethwaite (near the School - Free) - Grid Ref NY260139
Mileage
6 miles
Terrain
Generally good mountain, riverside and field paths with a steep ascent and descent. The descent off Sergeant's Crag to Greenup Gill is steep and mainly pathless.
Weather
Sunny with fresh breezes on the summits. Very good visibility.
Time Taken
4hrs
Total Ascent
2152ft (656m)
Wainwrights
2
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
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GPX File
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Walk Description
The first of two walks today therefore we were up early to drive over to Borrowdale to nab a parking space at the popular village of Stonethwaite. The intention was to get up Eagle Crag & Sergeant's Crag in the morning and then walk to Seathwaite to climb the fell of the same name in the afternoon. We were blessed once again with a near perfect day with the weather and it was with a spring in our step we left Stonethwaite on the first walk.
When you first look at Eagle Crag from near Stonethwaite Bridge you wonder to yourself how on earth you are going to get up it - do not fear as there is a way up. It is just that it is not apparent from below and only becomes clearer the higher you get up the fell. The first part of the route follows Stonethwaite Beck up to Smithymire Island where there is a footbridge crossing the beck which you then follow South East on the other side until you come to the second wall. There is a path here to the right that winds its way steeply up towards Bleak How to reach a stile. There now begins a lovely walk along an ever-rising terrace to reach an obvious gap where a simple, yet steep scramble leads to the summit of Eagle Crag.
From Eagle Crag the route over to Sergeant's Crag is via an easy stroll and on reaching the summit there are glorious views down Langstrath over to The Scafells and Bowfell. Leaving the summit, the descent down to the valley floor is pathless for the most part and in clear visibility you need to simply pick out your best route down to Greenup Gill and follow it. In poor visibility it would be advisable to take a bearing off the summit of Sergeant's Crag on the Gill and then aim off - at some point you should get your feet wet in Greenup Gill before turning left to head down back to Stonethwaite. The walk down the Gill is an absolute delight and with Borrowdale ahead of you the view could not be better.
When you first look at Eagle Crag from near Stonethwaite Bridge you wonder to yourself how on earth you are going to get up it - do not fear as there is a way up. It is just that it is not apparent from below and only becomes clearer the higher you get up the fell. The first part of the route follows Stonethwaite Beck up to Smithymire Island where there is a footbridge crossing the beck which you then follow South East on the other side until you come to the second wall. There is a path here to the right that winds its way steeply up towards Bleak How to reach a stile. There now begins a lovely walk along an ever-rising terrace to reach an obvious gap where a simple, yet steep scramble leads to the summit of Eagle Crag.
From Eagle Crag the route over to Sergeant's Crag is via an easy stroll and on reaching the summit there are glorious views down Langstrath over to The Scafells and Bowfell. Leaving the summit, the descent down to the valley floor is pathless for the most part and in clear visibility you need to simply pick out your best route down to Greenup Gill and follow it. In poor visibility it would be advisable to take a bearing off the summit of Sergeant's Crag on the Gill and then aim off - at some point you should get your feet wet in Greenup Gill before turning left to head down back to Stonethwaite. The walk down the Gill is an absolute delight and with Borrowdale ahead of you the view could not be better.
Eagle Crag, Sergeant's Crag & Stonethwaite Beck
Looking down Stonethwaite Beck to Borrowdale
Heading up towards Bleak How through the bracken - Stonethwaite Fell in the background
Borrowdale
The stile near Bleak How - what is Fudge doing?
At an obvious gap there is a steep but easy scramble up to the summit of Eagle Crag
Looking back down into Langstrath from near the top of the scramble
Nearing the summit the views really do open out
Sergeant's Crag comes into view with High Raise to the left, Bowfell & Esk Pike to the right
The sloping summit of Eagle Crag - Fudge in his usual 'sniff' mode
The Skiddaw Range left with Blencathra right
Crinkles, Bowfell and Esk Pike - the lump of Pike O'Stickle is to the extreme left. Fudge, as is usual, looking at Dave rather than the view
L-R, Esk Pike, Scafell, Scafell Pike & Glaramara
The summit of Sergeant's Crag
Close up on Rossett Pike in the foreground with the bulk of Bowfell behind. Great Slab on Bowfell can be seen to the left of Bowfell's summit
Heading down off Sergeant's Crag on no real path as such.
In mist it would be easy enough to aim off and you would eventually hit Greenup Gill, turning left to follow it back to Stonethwaite
In mist it would be easy enough to aim off and you would eventually hit Greenup Gill, turning left to follow it back to Stonethwaite
Looking back up Greenup Gill - the slopes of Ullscarf are to the left with Lining Crag centre
The path back down to Borrowdale
Glorious views to Borrowdale - and you get to watch this scene all the way down to Stonethwaite
Good signs at Stonethwaite Bridge
Last look at Eagle Crag and the slopes of Ullscarf
If we win the lottery we intend making the owner of this house in Stonethwaite an offer he cannot refuse!