England - Lake District

Grasmoor Scramble

Character: Combines a wondeful valley start with a very treacherous scramble within Dove Crags on Grasmoor's northern face.

Ascent: 2500 feet

Time: 2 hours

Map: Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map 4 (1:25,000) (English Lakes NW)

Grasmoor from Scarth Gap, Buttermere in the mid distance

Several authors describe the wonderful walk up the course of Liza Beck in Gasgale Gill from Lanthwaite Green farm, and indeed this is the start of several ascents in the region. As is to be expected, Messrs Wainwright, Poucher et al have described all the most classically beautiful and sensible routes, so it is left to the rest of us to conjure up variations.

The variation:- After approaching 1.75 km up the Gill on the path from the farm, (the northern bank of the beck having been followed), a run down stone sheep fold is encountered, the first of the two marked on the map, on the southern side of the beck. Above this a grassy green declivity of a dry (maybe not in spring or after heavy rain!) watercourse can be seen heading almost straight up the flanks of Grasmoor. The direction of this is followed, although it is not necessary to actually walk in the dip, particularly if it is in spate! The slope is quite fierce, but should not be beyond the ability of a fit hill walker. Behind, the marvellous views of Whiteside and the Gasgale Crags open up, and one feels quite hemmed in in this marvellous valley.

At about 550m the slope eases and a bowl is entered underneath the Dove Crags on Grasmoors north side. As Wainwright comments, it is strange that no small mountain tarn has decided to make its home here.

This near plateau is crossed almost due south. At the bottom of the route up there is an almost cubic rock, about 1 metre on each side, and slightly browner from some angles than the surrounding rock.

This is almost a gulley climb, but at only one point, about 2/5 ths of the way up does it form a short gulley. Otherwise the ground is very steep, very damp, and very slippery. Towards the top, the right hand side, just outside the sree area, is probably the best ground.

Eventually the top of the pull is reached, and with a huge sigh of relief one arrives on the summit plateau of Grasmoor, only about 200 metres east of the summit.

This route is not recommended in descent! The top of Grasmoor is a little like a small Ben Nevis; a large plateau with many fierce fringing gulleys and crags particularly to the north. If, however, you decide for one reason or another to try it, the top of the gulley just ascended is the first gulley top encountered heading east from Grasmoor's summit, and is probably the narrowest point on the summit plateau. It can also be recognised by a curious buttress of rock that supports the far side of gulley, some 20 m or so from the top. However, a lot of the gulleys look very similar - if unsure, don't go down it!!