Date: Wednesday 28th December 2022
Company: Myself and Ann-Marie
Distance: 10.4km, Ascent: 520m
Time: 3Hrs 40Mins
The weather forecast for today advised of heavy rain from 09:00. We therefore drove to Seathwaite arriving for first light at 08:00 in order to get an hour of walking in before the rain was due to start.
Route:
Seathwaite is known as the wettest place in England. Today's rain would certainly help Seathwaite maintain that record.
Seathwaite sign at start of walk:
Having walked from Seathwaite to Sty Tarn several times previously, I was today in familiar territory. I last walked this route in July 2018 with my daughter and dog for an ascent of Scafell Pike.
Seathwaite Fell is the rocky hill which lies beyond Stockley Bridge.
Seathwaite Fell beyond Stockley Bridge:
Grains Gill from Stockley Bridge:
Looking back towards Seathwaite:
The ascent towards Styhead is via extensive well-constructed track. Walking across so many boulder steps is hard on old knees and requires care in rain, snow and ice.
Ascent alongside Styhead Gill:
As we progressed alongside Styhead Gill, we opted to follow a grassy line towards the summit of Seathwaite Fell instead of walking to Sty Head. We would visit Sty Head on our return.
Trackless ascent of Seathwaite Fell:
As predicted, the heavy rain started at 09:00 and was relentless throughout the remainder of the walk. Despite wearing reasonable waterproofs, by the end of the walk I was soaked to the skin.
View towards Sty Head during ascent of Seathwaite Fell:
Ascending Seathwaite Fell:
We initially visited the 701m top which I believe is the Wainwright summit.
At the Wainwright summit of Seathwaite Fell:
From the 701m Wainwright summit, we progressed towards the 731m Hewitt summit.
Looking back towards the Wainwright summit:
At the Hewitt summit of Seathwaite Fell:
From the actual summit we made our way across towards the track below Great End passing a tarn which is not named on the OS map, and then Sprinkling Tarn.
Tarn above Sprinkling Tarn:
Sprinkling Tarn:
Beyond Sprinkling Tarn we descended to Sty Head. At Sty Head, I expected to find the wooden stretcher box. The wooden box has however been replaced with a metal box at some point between July 2018 and today.
Sty Head Stretcher Box:
Previous stretcher box as of July 2018:
From the stretcher box, we returned to the starting point passing Styhead Tarn as we followed the Styhead Gill which was now in spate and covering sections of the track.
Seathwaite Fell across Styhead Tarn:
Bridge over Styhead Gill:
It was great to eventually reach the car. 134 Wainwrights complete, 80 remaining.