23rd May 2017 - Skiddaw
Walk Details
Distance walked: 11.4 miles
Total ascent: 3382 ft
OS map used: OL4 - The English Lakes, Northwestern area
Time taken: 7 hrs
Route description: Peter House Farm-Cumbria Way-Skiddaw House-Burnt Horse-Lonscale Fell-Jenkin Hill-Skiddaw Little Man-Skiddaw-Bakestall-Birkett Edge-Cumbria Way-Peter House Farm
This was a fantastic day for a walk up onto the high fells. Blue skies, warm sunshine and excellent visibility meant that I had great long distance views from the tops across the whole of the Lake District. It was windy though, but only on the summit of Skiddaw Little Man did I finally relent and put my fleece on against the chill, on the summit of Skiddaw it was nearly strong enough to make standing still difficult. All four of the Wainwrights that I visited today; Lonscale Fell, Skiddaw Little Man, Skiddaw and Bakestall will go towards my second round. I'm still finding it a bit of a surprise when I realise how long it is since I was last on some of them, in this case 2009 and 2010.
Starting from the car park at Peter House Farm I set off on the bridleway and trail of the Cumbria Way to Dash Falls and then onto Skiddaw House. After passing Skiddaw House I ascended the ridge of Burnt Horse to reach the summit of Lonscale Fell. I also paid the east peak of the fell a visit. From Lonscale Fell I walked across Jenkin Hill to then ascend Skiddaw Lesser Man, Little Man and then Skiddaw itself. It was then down Skiddaw's north ridge to Bakestall, Birkett Edge to the Dash Falls and then the Cumbria Way back to Peter House Farm.
Total ascent: 3382 ft
OS map used: OL4 - The English Lakes, Northwestern area
Time taken: 7 hrs
Route description: Peter House Farm-Cumbria Way-Skiddaw House-Burnt Horse-Lonscale Fell-Jenkin Hill-Skiddaw Little Man-Skiddaw-Bakestall-Birkett Edge-Cumbria Way-Peter House Farm
This was a fantastic day for a walk up onto the high fells. Blue skies, warm sunshine and excellent visibility meant that I had great long distance views from the tops across the whole of the Lake District. It was windy though, but only on the summit of Skiddaw Little Man did I finally relent and put my fleece on against the chill, on the summit of Skiddaw it was nearly strong enough to make standing still difficult. All four of the Wainwrights that I visited today; Lonscale Fell, Skiddaw Little Man, Skiddaw and Bakestall will go towards my second round. I'm still finding it a bit of a surprise when I realise how long it is since I was last on some of them, in this case 2009 and 2010.
Starting from the car park at Peter House Farm I set off on the bridleway and trail of the Cumbria Way to Dash Falls and then onto Skiddaw House. After passing Skiddaw House I ascended the ridge of Burnt Horse to reach the summit of Lonscale Fell. I also paid the east peak of the fell a visit. From Lonscale Fell I walked across Jenkin Hill to then ascend Skiddaw Lesser Man, Little Man and then Skiddaw itself. It was then down Skiddaw's north ridge to Bakestall, Birkett Edge to the Dash Falls and then the Cumbria Way back to Peter House Farm.
Route map
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.
It's a bright fresh morning as I arrive at the car park at Peter House Farm
As I set off on the bridleway to Skiddaw House Brockle Crag stands out on the hillside to the left
Approaching Dash Falls
Dead Crags above to my right, though with the morning sun shining on them they don't look dark and foreboding
Not far to go to reach Skiddaw House
Skiddaw as I cross the infant River Caldew
Great Calva and Carrock Fell from beside Skiddaw House
Skiddaw House, one of the most remote hostels in England. I've included a link if you'd like to find out a bit about the place.
Heading up the ridge of Burnt Horse to Lonscale Fell
Great Calva, Knott and Carrock Fell. Back o'Skiddaw.
Skiddaw Little Man and Skiddaw
A gap lets me see the Helvellyn range in the distance to the left of Lonscale Fell's east peak
The crags of Burnt Horse
Skiddaw Little Man and Skiddaw from the summit cairn on Lonscale Fell
If I walk a short distance south from the summit to where the ground steepens I get a great view of Keswick, Derwent Water and a multitude of fells including Bowfell, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Pillar, High Stile, Crag Hill and Grisedale Pike
I couldn't leave Lonscale Fell without paying its east peak a visit first. Looking north to Great Calva, Knott, High Pike and Carrock Fell.
Blencathra's less interesting side
Finally, looking south to the Helvellyn range and Thirlmere
Heading for Jenkin Hill. I found a spot between Lonscale Fell and here where I had a little shelter out of the wind to have my lunch.
Skiddaw Lesser Man, Little Man and Skiddaw from Jenkin Hill
The view of Keswick, Derwent Water and a lot of fells from Skiddaw Lesser Man
Looking back down on Lesser Man and to the Helvellyn range from Skiddaw Little Man
A fantastic view of Lakeland, from just a little way south of the summit where the ground starts to drop away
Skiddaw now looms large. One final climb to go.
On Skiddaw's south top. The trig point and summit is the far one.
Keswick, Derwent Water and all those fells. Cloud has hidden the Scafells and Great Gable since I was on Lonscale Fell.
Bassenthwaite Lake, Longside Edge and Ullock Pike
Heading for the summit
Looking back to the south top
At the trig point on the summit of Skiddaw. It's pretty windy up here now though not uncomfortably so.
I've got a fantastic all round view to take in today. Starting with Great Sca Fell, Knott, High Pike, Great Calva and Carrock Fell..
..round to Blencathra
Lonscale Fell and Skiddaw Little Man with the Helvellyn range in the distance
Looking past the northern end of Bassenthwaite Lake and across the coastal plain to the Solway Firth and beyond..
The northern end of Skiddaw from Broad End
Following the fence down to Bakestall
I have a great view past Binsey and Over Water to the Solway Firth
Knott and Great Calva from Bakestall
Blencathra and Lonscale Fell
This photo from Bakestall looking across the Solway Firth to Criffel in Scotland might be my favourite of the day
Dash Beck just before it takes the plunge
Looking down the valley of Dash Beck to Binsey with Dead Crags on the left
Zooming in on Dash Falls
It's a lovely end to the afternoon as I look back to the fells around Dash Beck..
..from the bridleway back to Peter House Farm