Raven Crag and Great How

Name of walk Raven Crag and Great How
Date of walk 2023-02-13

On Monday we parked in the spaces opposite the bus stop at the turn off for the north end of Thirlmere. Ged and I planned to walk up to Raven Crag and then up to Great How. A walk of 5.6 miles. On the drive the weather was very cloudy until we had reached the other side of Dunmail Raise, then it was blue skies and sunshine.

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Raven Crag from the walk to Thirlmere Dam. The wind was quite cold this morning, so hat and gloves were on.

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Walking along the dam. No traffic now, as this section of the road is closed.

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Lots of low cloud at Dunmail Raise.

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One of the Manchester Corporation Waterworks buildings.

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At the end of the road we turn right after the barrier. About 70m further on is the gate up to Raven Crag.

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Now that so many trees have gone, due to the storm damage and felling, the view across to the fells has opened up.

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Raven Crag looms over us.

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Cloud hugging the tops as we head up to the deer gates.

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View down the steps.

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Boardwalk to the viewing platform. The cloud is coming over.

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Panorama from the platform. Left click to enlarge, click again to return.

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Looking towards Blencathra and Clough Head.

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Great How, our next fell is down below. The Dodds behind.

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I move off the platform for the view from the edge down to the road.

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View directly down on the dam.

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Looking down the lake, Helvellyn in the clouds. We hang around for half an hour and sit on a log, but the cloud stays, so we head back down.

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View back along the boardwalk.

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Back at the dam.

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We head through the far barrier and take the permissive path along the front of Great How.

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The dam from the wood.

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Walking the permissive path.

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When we reach the main track to Swirls we turn left and now take the path up to Great How.

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It is a good wide track.

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The final ascent path.

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The view.

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Looking back over to Raven Crag.

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View to Skiddaw.

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Double front somersault with pike?

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Summit selfie.

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We sit on the bench and admire the views.

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We go up to the true summit.

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Then head over to the other seat and small cairn.

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Back down to the wide track that will lead us back to the car.

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View of Castle Rock of Triermain from near to the car.

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We drive home via Hawkshead (roadworks in Bowness), and stop off at Esthwaite Water. It was quite still, so there were some lovely reflections.

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The walk took us 4hrs and 40mins. Some good views for not too much effort.

Jo.

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