So Craig wants a long run; Russ suggests Langdale but I have my doubts, this might be more of a winter mountaineering day than fell running. I come up with an alternative, LDWA's Grasmere - Fells, Tarns & Gingerbread route; 21 milles, plenty of climbing and mostly runnable. We agree on this.
Craig kindly drives and we head over to Grasmere, off running at 9:15. Another glorious day, sunny, blue sky and the fells still holding a lot of snow - alpine like. We set off up past Dove Cottage and then off road to Allcocks Tarn; a good climb to get us warmed up. From the tarn, a contour path brings us on to the Fairfield Horseshoe. Heron Pike and then to Great Rigg, at this point we all put on micro spikes for the descent to Stone Arthur; this is a revised route for the 2013 event as the organisers are keen to avoid the worn path from Farfield to Grisedale Hause.
We descend steeply to Tongue Gill and then down to cross the A591; lanes lead us to Green Burn valley which we follow before taking a path to our left and joining the Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag ridgeline. Along to Helm Crag s intricate and difficult running and the summit of Helm Crag a popular place on Easter Sunday.
Doubling back from the summit we make a rapid descent down a snow slope much to the amazement of many walkers who are gingerly coming down the snowy path. Down in to Far Easedale and then round to Easedale Tarn; Russ and I recall the 2011 Saunders !
From the tarn up towards Blea Rigg and, again, an intricate and snowy route to Silver Howe; we then, roughly, follow the Silver Howe / Loughrigg race route to Loughrigg and then down to the Terrace. We resist the shortcuts and stick to the described route, down to Grasmere Water and follow the shore and then road back to the village.
A great run out - good route and good company. Tea and treacle tarts back at the car and then a couple of pints of Brodie's Prime at the Hawkshead Brewery - perfecto !
Full route description:
