Day four

Grasmere to Patterdale
8 miles
Dep 0930
Arrive 1600

Fantastic weather today despite all predictions. Another full English to start plus some cheeky sandwiches made up from the breakfast buffet for the day.

First order of business was to post home the 3 tonnes of gingerbread I'd bought the day before and then off. It was eerily quite to start with, nobody really in town and as I got on the path no one to be seen on front or ahead. It was looking like it would be a lone walker day.

This is the second to last day in the lakes and the biggest climb if the whole route and so the walk started with a steady slog up the mountain by way of a pony track until reaching Grisedale tarn after 2 hours, providing the first rest stop of the day and also the major decision if the day. Do I go the high route upto Helvellyn or the low road down into the valley?
With so much time on my hands and such good weather it had to be the summit.

As I was about to head off though I came across my first fellow walker of the day. He had dropped off from his own party who were heading up yo the high peak and was waiting around to see if anyone wanted to walk with him down the low road. Sadly I had to disappoint and leave him looking slightly dejected.

The push to the summit went pretty quickly and once I was up here people started appearing from everywhere from all directions. I quickly went and touched the trig point then squeezed into a spot in the shelter for a lunch if breakfast rolls and rum and raisin fudge.

The way down off the summit and into Patterdale though meant going down striding edge, the only tricky point on the whole walk as it involved a bit of scrambling and down climbing. On the descent I came across a few of the people I had met on previous days, some enjoying the descent, others not so much. I left joyce and andrew to carry on alternating between swearing and american enthusiasm for how awesome it was. Australian Trevor decided to follow me over the top of the ridge as he wasn't sure he wanted to do it by himself. 30 mins later though we were over the scary stuff and feeling very pleased with himself Trevor wanted to sit and take in the moment, where a little later on we were joined by the others looking a little relieved to be done.

The last part was nice descent into the valley and then into Patterdale. Just as we were approaching the end the first spots of rain started. Perfect timing.

I have another night a hostel before camping tomorrow so will be off to the shop for some pasta in sauce for tonight's meal.