Name of walk	Black Crag with Tom
Date of walk	2020-12-24

On Christmas Eve I decided on a walk up to Black Crag, as it fitted the parameters of being under an hour away, having good views, not requiring rucksacks, and being back home in time for lunch. We parked at the Mary Glen NT car park (south of Yew Tree Tarn) and headed through the woods to Tom Gill. Then up to Tarn Hows.

Tom Gill waterfall.

Tom walking up beside the waterfalls.

Early morning Tarn Hows relections.

We pass the money tree.

We leave Tarn Hows via the stile at the far end and head up through Iron Keld.

Someone has decorated a tree.

A Belted Galloway in their usual place on the hillside before the gate.

A wreath on the gate. We turn directly right at the gate and head up to Black Crag.

The path beyond the gate as we head up.

Black Crag ahead, ice puddles on the path.

View across to Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes.

Black Crag summit. Coniston Old Man on the far left.

View across to Windermere.

Looking towards the Fairfield Horseshoe. There are two people also in Christmas jumpers and hats with elf ears!

Merry Christmas! I briefly remove my coat for a summit photo. It is a bit cold and windy today on the tops.

Close up of Tarn Hows and Coniston Water.

Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam.

Bowfell.

Pike o'Stickle, Loft Crag, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark (Langdale Pikes)

We head over the wall stile.

Fairfield Horseshoe. Looking a bit cold up there today!

Thornthwaite Crag, Froswick, Ill Bell and Yoke, and looking down on Ambleside.

Selfie.

Windermere.

The far cairn and Esthwaite Water.

In close up.

Aways a great view across Low Arnside to Little Langdale, with Blake Rigg and Lingmoor just behind.

We head for the cairn.

Tom at the cairn.

We retrace our steps back to Tarn Hows.

Looking back along Tarn Hows from the far end. We continue our circuit.

The sun is still quite low in the sky.

We take the higher path which leads to the Scott Memorial.

View from the Scott Memorial.

We head down to the shore.

Back at the dam, we head down the side of the gill.

Small world! We meet Jake and Rheanne coming up the path. Tom and Jake have been friends since their first day of primary school.

We continue on through the wood back to the car.

The walk is about five miles and took us 2hrs and 45 minutes. An easy walk, no matter what the weather.

RIP Ann Hiley 11th November 1946 – 7th December 2020 (Loweswatercam.co.uk.)

Jo.