Skiddaw
I was told, that even Wainright thought this the best way to ascend Skiddaw. It involves slightly more logistical work but pays dividends in the end. We pre-positioned our second car at the village of Millbeck. The alternative would be to start from Keswick or literally the foot of Skiddaw, but that involves a "straight up and straight down" walk, whereas this has a lot more interest and is easier on the lungs!.
| Skiddaw - This is actually the south top
(left one of pair) and our descent path leads along the ridge on its left to
Carl Side.
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The walk starts just south of Bassenthwaite village, near the road junction on the A591 where there is a car park - or alternatively at a bus stop at the junction. From here there is a sign post to start you off, which is always a good start, then across a couple of fields and you're onto the ridge. |
| As you reach the ridge, the views back down to the lake and village are splendid, and now you start to see the main part of the walk ahead. As you follow the ridge higher you can't help but notice this big grey mass on your left hand side looking very uninspiring - your "goal for the day". Back to the ridge, the path begins on lovely springy short-cropped grass and gradually progresses onto rock. Once you're on Ullock Pike you get to see the Derewent Fells, especially the sharp lines of Grisedale Pike which look great with a bit of snow to give it definition. Where the ridge ends, a path can be seen rising to the left and onto the main summit. From here it is only another 5 minutes' walk to the Trig Point. |
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 But as we've done this
before, we are
now going down Carl Side, another fine ridge. The wind has dropped and
as you can see there is a bit of snow to play in on the way down. From here
we look straight down Derwent Water and the hill on either side,
unfortunately it's a bit grey. We spent ages waiting for the sun to come out
on the hill for this left hand shot but couldn't wait any longer [frostbite
setting in].We picked up the second car at the bottom of the ridge at Millbeck and drove back to pick up the other car near Bassenthwaite. An exhilarating day's walk - highly recommended! |
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Here
is where the problems began on this walk. The wind, which had been blowing from
our back now turned into a severe gale, where we struggled to walk (even
with sticks) to the cairn, [no photo here]. We turned round and walked
back to the south top where the wind had dropped enough to take a photo
or two. [I have always climbed Skiddaw in the winter, it gives a bit
more of a challenge - but that's just me] Now if you haven't
climbed
this hill before, then you should carry along to Little Man and down the
main path or down Lonscale Fell.
