 An alternative from the same starting point is to follow Pasture Beck up to the head of the valley at Threshthwaite Mouth and then contour round onto Gray Crag.Alfred Wainwright gave this as his preferred route.Most walkers will continue their walk along the ridge south to Thornthwaite Crag which is two kilometres away and return to Hartsop over Caudale Moor and Hartsop Dodd.