Grasmere to Patterdale – 7.5 miles
(Not many photos today as the weather was so bad).
Now fully refreshed and after having breakfast whilst looking out at the rain through the window, Steve offered to go to the Co-op to get sandwiches for lunch. On his return we were soon ready to go – it was still raining.
Bidding farewell to our hosts and checking rucksack covers we were off.
As we crossed the A591 to Keswick Road we saw the couple from Shropshire again. Having said our good mornings and a brief discussion about the previous day’s walk, it was on to find the bridlepath leading to a hill called Great Tongue.
There was no let up in the rain and the higher we climbed, the lower the mist. At the base of Great Tongue the path divided; left for Little Tongue Gill -steeper route- or a steadier climb via Tongue Gill. We chose the latter.
As we climbed the mist became thicker. We were getting very wet and it was getting colder as the winds had increased. Ahead we were able to see the Shropshire couple so we could follow them at times. Halfway up a steep section we came across a National Trust volunteer – a young woman working on the path, building steps using an iron bar and a spade. She was soaked and covered in mud and with her was her dog which just wanted to play. We enquired how far it was to Grisedale Tarn and she said it was about half an hour, with a smile on her face. She added we would be close when we saw her partner who was higher up the path near the tarn. After exchanging pleasantries we continued and eventually saw her partner who was also soaked but he seemed happy in his work ???? As we reached a level in the climb we couldn’t see more than 20 yards in front of us and assumed we were at Grisedale Tarn.
We picked up the path to our right, now descending. As we did we saw water lapping up the shoreline, this had to be Grisedale Tarn (600m). We could only see possibly 2-3 metres of it, the rain was persistent, the wind got stronger. We arrived at what looked like the outlet from the tarn and checking the map we found we had to cross the outlet. Luckily there were four large stones that appeared to be placed strategically for us to step across the stream which, in the present conditions, was wide.
We got across, no problem, and continued heading down the path. At times, when stepping on rocks, the wind would blow and send us off balance, so extra care was needed. The lower we got the less mist there was
but it was still raining. We arrived at the Patterdale Mountain Rescue hut thinking, “Here’s a shelter,” but it was locked.
As we looked around the area we saw the Shropshire couple standing in a doorway at the side of the building. A quick photo, followed by a few words of encouragement to each other, before setting off down to Patterdale.
The path again was uneven, tiring and long,
but we were still able to smile (with relief to be nearly off the mountain).
As we arrived in Patterdale we headed for our B&B located at the other end of the village. Our host Adam took us into our accommodation block, which was separate from the main house, and provided a basket in which to dump our wet clothes and boots. He arranged to bring us a hot drink after we had had a shower to warm up and then he took our clothes & boots away to dry them. As we were having our somewhat late lunch, Adam reappeared to inform us of breakfast and packed lunch arrangements and for a general chat.
He suggested the White Lion for an evening meal and when we were ready he would take us there, which he did. What a host!!
In the pub, whilst having a beer or two, another couple from Black Sail Hostel appeared, said “Hello” and remarked just how tough it had been. We discussed the next day’s walk which was to be over the top – Kidsty Pike, 800m high. As the weather was predicted to be worse than today they made the suggestion to walk alongside Ullswater Lake to Pooley Bridge and, with safety in mind, we agreed to consider it.
After a lovely meal it was a taxi ride back to our B&B for an early night.