Great Moss
DAY 3 1
NY215045 From your overnight location, head downhill in an east-north-east direction, using a faint path in the grass. It can be wet underfoot in areas here. You are descending to the River Esk and a potential place to cross the river, either before or at a sharp bend south (with rocky beach area), beneath Scar Lathing. You might find a suitable place before this sharp bend, or on the bend itself. There are faint paths either side of the river. You may choose to take boots off and wade across barefoot, to avoid wet boots and socks. Take care to assess conditions based on water flow and your options.
2
NY225047 Once across the River Esk at this sharp bend, pick up a faint track through wet ground as the route ascends slightly, to the north of Throstlehow Crag and, back down again into further wet ground (!) before ascending over Pianett Knott, taking a north-east direction to avoid further wet ground near Lingcove Beck. Following the Right of Way marked on 1:25k mapping (not actually that clear on the ground!) this offers a good angle to follow, towards Lingcove Beck, for a suitable crossing point. Again, take care looking for secure options to do this, dependent on water conditions.
3
NY237051 Once across Lingcove Beck, the route ascends again out of this quiet valley, up towards the Three Tarns area, between Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell, passing through a shallow re-entrant in a northeast direction, passing Churn How on your left. This does feel like a long pull out of the valley, but enjoy the remote feeling of this area, before topping out to more well-trodden routes. There are signs of old cairns on this route, and a path is vaguely on the ground. The angle eases as you emerge towards the Three Tarns at 670m.
4
NY248060 From Three Tarns, take a look back to where you’ve been – the quiet side of this fantastic group of hills – before picking up the major path that descends towards Great Langdale, in an easterly direction. Do not lose too much height, but keep to the path that contours towards Earing Crag and onto The Band, a well-used ascent/ descent route to Bow Fell. Enjoy the views of the Langdale Pikes as you lose height towards the valley, turning your back on the quiet sides behind you and heading for the valley base.