This walk from Seathwaite contains two unfrequented "Wainwright" routes. First, the climb directly up to the summit of Seathwaite Fell from the Stockley Bridge to Sty Head path is described by Wainwright but the lack of a proper path indicates that it is rarely done. It is a routine steepish ascent on grass but has good views and gives access to a rather enjoyable walk from Seathwaite Fell summit to the foot of Great End via the shore of Sprinkling Tarn Second, the climb up the edge of Branch Gully and Cust's Gully is also done infrequently. This is an interesting test of route finding at first to locate a way up to the top of the "Band" from Sprinkling Tarn, followed by a steepish but easy ascent on broken rock to the edge of the gullies. Thereafter a boulder slope requires care but soon leads to the summit plateau of Great End. This is an excellent route with great views into Cust's Gully and deserves to be on every walker's "to do" list. Afterwards we descended to Esk Hause and then climbed Allen Crags before making a direct descent South West to Ruddy Gill and Grains Gill which lead back to Stockly Bridge and Seathwaite. All in all a fine expedition!

said fornside01 2008.05.11 at 12:27:04 PDT