SKIDDAW
via LONSCALE FELL returning via BROAD END, BAKESTALL
& SKIDDAW HOUSE
Summary
Date - 13th September 2009
Distance - 13.5miles Ascent
- 5076ft
Map - OL4
Start point - Latrigg car park (NY
281254)
Summits Achieved
Name
Height (ft)
Height (m)
Grid Ref
Lonscale Pike
2306
703
NY 2888 2728
Lonscale Fell
2344
715
NY 2854 2717
Jenkin Hill
2411
735
NY 2743 2746
Lesser Man on Skiddaw
2674
815
NY 2686 2758
Little Man on Skiddaw
2837
865
NY 2667 2779
South Top of Skiddaw
3034
925
NY 2604 2857
Middle Top of Skiddaw
3044
928
NY 2606 2882
High Man on Skiddaw
3053
931
NY 2604 2908
North Top of Skiddaw
3024
922
NY 2606 2923
Broad End
2726
831
NY 2609 2984
Bakestall
2208
673
NY 2664 3074
Latrigg
1207
368
NY 2788 2468
Preface
"It looks like it's going to
be good weather on Sunday", remarked Shaun.
"I guess we will be walking,
but I wonder where Dad is planning to take us", mused
Grizzly.
"We'll soon know, as I heard
Allen asking Dad", replied Little Eric.
Just then he came rushing in, very
excited indeed, and shouting "great great great!"
"Now just sit a minute and
calm down, so that you can tell us without having to gasp for
breath", said Tetley.
He did just that, then, more calmly
continued. "We are going to climb Skiddaw and a number of
other tops on that ridge, which will be great as Little Eric and
I will bag no less than 12 tops we have not done before." He
continued again. "It will be a big catch-up for me both for
Wainwrights and Birkett tops.
"Dad said too, that we will be
doing Lonscale Pike and Broad End, both tops none of us have done
before", Allen said finally.
"It will be similar to the
walk Dad took Tetley, Grizzly and I, on in July 2004, so it will
be quite a challenging day, but I can't wait", said Shaun
Roll on Sunday we all agreed.
The Walk
Dad knew that the car park at the
start fills up quickly, so we had to be up and off soon after 07.00.
As we drove along the A66 the cloud was down on Blencathra but
seemed to be lifting and the prospects for weather was good.
There was cloud over Skiddaw summit, but by the time we reached
there, around midday, it had lifted off, affording good views. It
was however a bit colder than forecast, and so clad in shorts and
jumper, Dad was a bit chilled as the winds were strong on the
summits. However he is made of stern stuff.
As Dad got ready, we settled in the
rucksack eager to be off. While he was making final preparations,
we sat looking up towards where we were going, albeit by a more
roundabout route.
From the car park a clear path
signed Skiddaw, led along by the fence. Almost immediately we
left the tourist path, and all the other walkers too, to plough a
lonely furrow along the Cumbria Way. There was nearly a stand off
with a line of sheep coming in the opposite direction, but
finally they broke off to the left, leaving our route clear.
Descending we forded Whit Beck,
climbing steadily below Lonscale Fell to reach the gate in the
fence. Before this we had stopped to enjoy the wonderful views
across to the hills defined by Alfred Wainwright as the North
Western Fells.
"Oh that is just magic",
cried Little Eric.
"Please take some pictures",
implored Allen.
The following two shots are the
result -
These are the fells that comprise
what is known as the Coledale Round. From the left - Rowling End
leading up to Causey Pike, Scar Crags, Sail, Eel Crag with
Grasmoor behind. Then to the right Hopegill Head with Grizedale
Pike (you can see the clear path that ascends this fell). Finally
in the centre from left to right are Barrow, Stile End and
Outerside.
To the left is Hindscarth rising
from the ridge of Scope End and to its right Robinson. We
recalled the fantastic day we had had in July climbing these. In
the background is Kirk Fell between Hindscarth & Robinson,
and to the right, Pillar.
We then turned our eyes to the
south, where Dad got this atmospheric shot of High Rigg, backed
by the massive bulk of Helvellyn.
Now where were we? Oh yes, at the
gate in the fence. We passed through this, and then abandoned the
Cumbria Way, to climb left by the fence. It was 1100ft to the top
of Lonscale Pike, and the ascent was unremittingly steep, never
easing in gradient all the way to the summit! Were we glad to be
in the rucksack. As we have all now done this top, Dad vowed not
to go up here again. Dad did take a few rests on the climb, which
enabled us to look again at the magnificent scenery.
"Is that Derwentwater over
there?", enquired Little Eric.
"Yes", replied Allen
knowingly.
"What a wonderful view",
said Grizzly. "It will make a great picture for our story."
So here is Derwentwater with the
fells High Spy, Maiden Moor and Catbells above it. Behind these
are Dale Head and Hindscarth. The prominent distant top is Great
Gable with to its left the slopes leading to Scafell.
Well after all the effort getting
to Lonscale Pike, we thought it was worth including our picture
by the cairn.
This is in fact known as the East
Peak and stands above the precipitous Lonscale Crags. It is not
however the highest point on the fell. To reach this we walked to
the fence and once over the stile a short and gentle climb
brought us to Lonscale Fell summit cairn. Now the next phase of
the walk was laid out before us.
This shows the cairn on Lonscale
Fell, and behind you can see the fence line that we followed
rising up the next top Jenkin Hill. From here a short descent
brought us to the tourist path, which crosses left to right
behind Jenkin Hill. Again we ignored this, instead climbing ahead
on the steep clear path that led to the summit of Lesser Man on
Skiddaw, and then a little more gently to Little Man on Skiddaw
whose summit at this time was obscured by mist. It is quite a
fantastic cairn on Lesser Man, with the wood and twisted metal
besides the stone. We scrambled out in the furious wind and hung
in there for our obligatory picture.
A gentleman was walking with two
youngsters and had reached Lesser Man before them. He saw Dad
photographing us. He enquired about us and Dad explained. Then he
asked if it was all right to take our picture. We are never shy
as far as this is concerned! In fact this was to be the first of
a number of people enquiring about us and asking to take our
picture. We hope we did not get too full of ourselves, but Dad
did mention our website to some of the people.
Now finally our ultimate objective
was clearly in view.
Descending from Little Man on the
clear path, and joining finally the tourist route, we made the
ascent to Skiddaw, with all the other tiny "Lowry"
figures you can see in the above shot. Its top is in fact a stony
undulating ridge exceeding 3000ft throughout its length of almost
half a mile. It has four tops - south, middle, main and north all
in a line and connected by a pavement of slaty stones. Despite
the strongly blowing wind, we posed for our pictures on each of
the tops. The main summit is called High Man where the trig point
occupies the highest point.
You will notice the brown envelope
taped to the trig point. It was actually addressed to someone. We
wonder if he got there to collect it?
More fine views were to be had from
here, none more so than that of Bassenthwaite Lake. This is in
fact truly the only lake in the Lake District. We hear you say,
"how can that be?". Well, all the others are either
Waters or Meres. E.g. Crummock Water, Windermere etc.
Such were the superb views we had
enjoyed all day, we reflected just how lucky we are!!!
Skiddaw now done, we descended
steeply to the north col, heading for the wide flat expanse of
Broad End-very aptly named. It was a bit tricky to find the top,
as there are a few cairns dotted about, but the GPS gave some
assistance and we hopped out again and sat on the cairn.
Looking back we could see the steep
final ascent to the north top.
"I bet you're glad we do not
to have to walk up back up there", said Tetley.
" I sure am", replied Dad
with obvious relief.
Crossing east we now rejoined the
main path, following the fence and wall down to Bakestall some
500ft lower. This had been visited by some of us before and then
as now we nicknamed it Cakestand! Next was the steep 900ft
descent of Birkett Edge - last time Dad did this walk, he had
come up this way. Like Lonscale Fell it is steep and unremitting,
so he felt sorry for the people we passed who were climbing up it.
At the bottom a wide track was reached, from where there was a
fine view of the Dash Valley and Binsey.
Now followed nearly five miles
further walking to return to the car. First along the good track
under the slopes of Great Calva, that serves Skiddaw House. Once
a shepherds house, it is now owned by the Youth Hostel Association.
For those lucky enough to have a
room at the front this is the view that would greet them on a
clear morning. The prominent pointed top is Great Calva.
From there the track becomes a
rough path, rocky in places, as it winds its way below the slopes
of Lonscale Fell and above the Glenderaterra Valley. As we
rounded the slopes of the fell, the view ahead opened up, to the
Helvellyn Ridge.
The tops that can be seen are from
left to right - Clough Head, Great Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise,
White Side and finally Helvellyn itself.
Eventually the gate in the fence
was reached, from where we retraced our route to the car. You
would think that Dad had had enough now, but for Allen &
Little Eric's sake he made the short climb to the final top of
the day, Latrigg. The additional rewards for us all was this
classic view over Keswick to Derwentwater.
Back at the car, we settled on the
front seat while Dad took his boots off. It had been some day and
on the drive home we chatted and reflected on a superb walk. Hard
going at times for Dad, but nevertheless he said he had a feeling
of great satisfaction.
Oh, and finally the summit tally
for the day. Allen and Little Eric bagged all 12 tops. The rest
of us and Dad bagged two Birketts (Lonscale Pike & Broad End).