Seat Sandal

Today was supposed to be a trip to Helvellyn via Striding and Swirral Edges but the cloud base was quite low and the forecast wasn't brilliant so we opted for a lower altitude option. A quick consultation of the “Lakeland Fellranger – The Near Eastern Fells” decided us on Seat Sandal which is opposite Dunmail Raise and Helm Crag. The attraction of this hill was the walk up along Raise Beck, which we thought would be interesting after all the heavy overnight rain, and a chance to see Grisedale Tarn.
So, we set off along the A491 as far as the layby by the Achille Ratti Hut and the old AA box, which is actually Grade 2 listed.
The ground was very wet and as we started up the small valley through which the Raise Beck was flowing in flood. It was quite and impressive sight and the small swollen waterfalls were interesting.
We reached a high point by the end of an old fence with the fence post still standing and took the opportunity to drop down a little to avoid the wind and sit on a boulder to have lunch as we overlooked Grisedale Tarn, a short distance below.
The clouds alternately lifted and settled again so we saw a varying amount of the surrounding hills.
After we were finished, we returned a short distance to the metal fence post and then started up the steep slope to the summit of Seat Sandal. As soon as we began, a rain shower started to join the strong wind!
So when we reached the summit, we paused behind the drystone wall to shelter from the wind and check the map for the bearing to drop back down the other side.
We then set off back down the other side of Seat Sandal and after a pleasant grassy section which wasn't too steep and good for views across to Helm Crag and along the valley below we arrived at much steeper ground with very slippery lichen-covered rocks.
We continued on down back towards the Achille Ratti Hut and the layby below.

Thankfully we eventually reached the much less steep ground at the bottom and then we were back at our starting point.

The Grade II listed AA Box with the Achille Ratti Hut behind

Helm Crag across the valley

Small Waterfall in Raise Beck

A LOT of water in the Beck

Grisedale Tarn

Looking towards Grasmere on the descent