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Fairfield
Fairfield is a mountainous range located in the English Lake District. It is part of the Eastern Fells section and stands south of the Helvellyn range. Fairfield is the highest of this group of hills. There appears to be a substantial difference between the flanks of the northern and southern regions of Fairfield. A view of Fairfield from the south makes it appear to be a large horseshoe abounding with grassy slopes that settle below a high skyline. In contrast, a few from the north shows various precipices, desolate combs and valleys that are rather substantial in depth.
The ridges of Fairfield connect to several other ranges, and when you view them together, they have an appearance similar to that of a bow-tie. The top of the range moves on an axis from east to west while the ridges run in north and south directions from one another. The Fairfield horseshoe is a popular walk that consists of the two southern arms and begins in Ambleside and continues through the Rydale valley to the south. On the western side you will find Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar while on the east you will find Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike and Low Pike.
Northwest of Fairfield is Grisedale Tarn which measures around 1,770 feet and as a depth of over 100 feet, holding a variety of brown trout, perch and eels. According to legend, this is the resting place for the crown of Dunmail as well as an unsuccessful battle at Dunmail Raise. It flows into Ullswater and to the northeast into the strath of Grisedale. Fairfield’s south western flank overlooks Tongue Gill which is a feeder of both Raise Beck and Grasmere.
Fairfield’s summit is a plateau whose high point is the western end. The top consists of a very flat surface that has many cairns as well as a pair of windbreaks that are situated near the high point of the summit. Writers of the guidebooks for Fairfield provide warnings about the ease of getting lost in mist and to be cautious when walking because of the presence of precipices in both the north and west.
Most people climb Fairfield as part of a walk of the Fairfield horseshoe with no point or direction in mind. Like many of the peaks in the Lake District, Fairfield has some exemplary scenery that walkers can enjoy while climbing the paths. The rock formations are only a part of the scenery but caution must be taken to assure that you do not walk into the misty areas or precipices. Of course, these precautions are standard when one climbs any mountain or walks the path of any of the feels in the Lake District. The scenery both above and below the mountainous ranges contain picturesque views that are likened to those created in the mind of an artist or created by the camera of a photographer. If you enjoy the view from the peaks and ridges of the Lake District fells, make sure you include Fairfield on your next trip.
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