Dollywaggon Pike & Grisedale Tarn, Grasmere, Cumbria, England

One thing that has happened me with photos of Grisedale Tarn is that it has come out very dark in them. In fact, I have photos where it appears to be black and, aside from overzealous post-processing, the only explanation that I have is its setting. Seat Sandal lies to the south-east and so does not appear in the photo like Dollywaggon Pike to the left above. St. Sunday Crag raises its head at the right of the picture and to its left is the upper reaches of Grisedale itself.

Erosion remains a major challenge with all the walks that the fells attract and the way up Dollywaggon Pike was a mess over a decade ago when Fix the Fells tackled it and the benefits are to be seen, especially when comparing the above against older photos. Still, I am left wondering if there is what I would call an impatience line that needs forestalling with barriers, but I would need to go up there to confirm that suspicion. It best not to have those shortcuts since failing to have your boots gain purchase on steep ground is a scary prospect as I found when following one of the ways up Fairfield and that path is one that I would avoid even now.