Helm Crag

The four of us drove the short distance from Ambleside to Grasmere and parked. We set off along a nearby lane which was slippery underfoot with frozen slush until just after a bridge crossing we turned right along another lane which gradually rose uphill.
Reaching a gate into the Green Burn valley, we followed this valley on the side of the burn again gradually rising towards the valley head between Calf Crag and Steel Fell. Near the end of the valley we then started up a steep slope in deepish snow arriving on a broad ridge below Calf Crag where we had a breather and some hot drinks. Hereabouts the snow was mainly knee deep and heavy going and I was hoping that it would not continue at that depth as this would make the going very tiring and slow. Luckily once past this section the snow was a more pleasant ankle or shin deep.

 Karen in Knee-Deep Snow

It was another cold day but also overcast and cloudy, luckily we were below the cloud level and we had views of the hills around including Grasmere, both the town and lake, below. It was a bit windy as well on some sections of the ridge but not too bad.

Approaching Helm Crag

Soon we arrived at one of the large rock formations on Helm Crag at the end of the ridge, which is variously known as The Lion and The Lamb, The Howitzer or even The Old Playing the Organ depending on from what angle you view the rocks from a distance.

 Pete clambering up The Howitzer

 The Howitzer from the side

After clambering around on the rocks with only Pete managing to get to the topmost part, we had a quick lunch break and then followed the ridge on Helm Crag past the second rock formation also know as The Lion and The Lamb, then the snowy and icy path down leading back to where we started in Grasmere.

 The Lion and the Lamb

I wore my Paramo Cascada trousers, Paramo Summit Hoodie and Paramo Fuera Ascent jacket. Also Polar Buff as a hat, Asolo Powermatic 200 GTX boots and Osprey Kestrel 38 rucksack.