A fine 3-day mountain circuit in the Skiddaw and Caldbeck fells of the northern Lake District.
The outward route heads along the Derwent valley to ascend past the osprey viewpoint in Dodd Wood and climb Skiddaw via the Ullock Pike ridge, a better and more interesting ascent than the laborious direct line up the south face of Carl Side, then leaves the multitudes to head out to Lonscale Fell and the Burnt Horse ridge.
The second day traverses the Caldbeck Fells from Great Calva to Carrock Fell and crosses the Caldew valley to ascend to the Blencathra massif via Bowscale Fell. The route ends with an excellent easy scramble up Sharp Edge to the main summits, returning to Keswick via Roughten Gill and the Cumbria Way along the flanks of the Glenderaterra valley.
A high pressure zone signalled another chance to slot in a Lake District backpack just before the Easter weekend, although the holiday had aready started for some and a few spots were relatively busy, notably Skiddaw but that’s par for the course. The conditions changed from a cold brisk wind at the start to calm, hot weather at the end with a very thick haze.
8 Comments
Very nice few days there Geoff. The Ullock Pike ridge seems to be genrally Lauded as the most interesting way to climb Skiddaw. Bit harsh there on Sale How, I camped there once and very nice it was too.:-)
Thanks Karl. Sale How is just fine, as I say, I would have included it for the close view of Skiddaw but for the circuitous detour required. I did once think about a pitch there, but it’s closely overlooked by the Skiddaw ridge.
Would I be right in assuming that you won’t be spending Easter shuffling round keswick like a zombie clutching an ice-cream, then a visit to the pencil museum followed by a slow shuffle up Catbells?
Looks like you are craming in the Lakes Visits at the moment Geoff, good to see that Sharp edge is easy with a pack, something that I will have to give a go one day. Fingers crossed if the weather is good next weekend I will do a backpack around the Moffat hills. Hopefully fairly crowd free.
That was brilliant to get another backpack in, I haven’t been to the Northern Fells for ages. Sharp Edge is very easy and a superb way to gain the top.
We found the Moffatt Hills very quiet except for the waterfall part, good walking there.
Though I’ve been up Sharp Edge I’m pleased that approaching with a pack posed no great problems.
Have only just caught up with your last 3 backpacks which I’ve enjoyed reading. Am not familiar with Dartmoor nor the Northern edges of the LD.
Have been away on holiday (pleasant) and have also recently had a health diagnosis (not so pleasant) which is curbing my mobility severely though hoping for improvements in the medium term - we’ll see.
Phil
Phil - Thanks again. Sharp Edge is an easy one, even with a pack.
Sorry to hear of bad news on the health front, best wishes for your recovery even if it turns out to be a slow process.
My years of carrying a pack up mountains are in the past now, but it’s good to see people venturing north of the crowded central Lake District peaks.
The hills east of Skiddaw are certainly much less walked, quite a change in terrain from most of the Lakes too - grand stuff.