Slipping up on Skiddaw
Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:14 pmHaving not been to the Northern Fells a great deal in recent years I decided that a trip to the lonely wastes behind Skiddaw was in order for this outing so Hughie and I set off nice and early to make sure I got a place at the small parking area at High Side. Once we arrived it turned out I could have stayed in bed a while longer as I was the first car there, I squeezed into edge to allow as many cars as possible to join me and started to boot up. The forecast was for high cloud and that's exactly what we found on a grey morning but with all the fell tops clear, one thing that wasn't quite forecast was the wind that was ripping up the lane asking questions as to just what it would be like at 3,000ft 
Listening to such thoughts is normally prudent but instead I listened to the "it's just a local effect that the wind is so strong here" and set of across the fields towards Ullock Pike.
Having not been out in the hills for about six weeks the steepness of the initial pull up to the Birkett of the Watches was quite a shock to the system but once the I got going I felt quite good and soon the strange collection of boulders on this minor top came and went and I set off up The Edge.
On the way up to Watches by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Ullock Pike from Watches by Anthony Young, on Flickr
One thing I had noticed so far was some unusual clouds forming to the North, nothing threatening unless you took them to be hostile alien invasion craft but worthy of mention. The wind that had been very strong back at the car park wasn't really an issue but the mass of fell side ahead was likely shielding me from the worst. This is a fine route and as you gain height the views start to open up nicely as the ridge steepens up to Ullock Pike's summit. It was one of the steeper sections that a hint of the wind was encountered as I was almost blown off a minor scramble
Taking more care I continued to the blowy top to take in the superb views especially towards Borrowdale, a true Lakeland classic.
Strange clouds forming the back'o Skidda by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Derwent Water from Ullock Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Along the Ridge to Longside Edge by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Skiddaw's bulk seen from Longside Edge by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Ullock pike is not really a true individual fell but the last top on the ridge that curves away north from the bulk of Carlside. This being the case the walk to the next Wainwright of Longside Edge is a lovely easy stroll with super views, at least it normally is when the wind isn't attempting to blast you into Bassenthwaite but I managed to push my way to the top where the wind was approaching "not able to stand" levels. You might be wondering about Hughie in all of this, was I flying him as a kite? No small dogs close to the ground don't get as affected by wind as people so bad hair day apart he was fine.
Very windy on Longside Edge by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Back to Ullock Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Struggling to stand up at Longside Edge Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr
A bit of an ordeal was had getting to Carlside summit with the gentle gradient feeling a lot steeper into the force of the blast. It was noticeable that even with streaming eyes the wind wasn't quite as strong here, by the time I reached the screes of Skiddaw it had reduced to a far more manageable level and it was calm at the col with Little man with the fell providing shelter. Buoyed by the relief of not getting blasted by the wind we romped up Skiddaw's Smaller brother to take in AW's favourite view in the district.
Carlside Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr
A windblown Carlside Tarn by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Looking back to the Edges from Skiddaw's screes by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Skiddaw Little Man summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr
The wind was manageable on Little Man, either it was dropping or the topography of the fell was deflecting the worst so I decided I had no doubts about heading up Skiddaw, it's not as if I could be blown off a precipice up there
. I did pause to wonder if I should take in Lonscale Fell as well as a there and back before heading up Skiddaw but decided against it. With hindsight given I finished the walk quite a bit quicker than I expected perhaps I should have.
Still I didn't so turned tail and tromped up the motorway that has formed over the years up Skiddaw, easy peasy with the wind at my back. By now I was starting to see a few other walkers but by the end of the day I only crossed paths with half a dozen at most, so much for the overcrowded fells of Lakeland
. Summit reached I took a few photos and found a nice sheltered spot for lunch.
Blencathra and Lonscale Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Towards the Hellvelyn Range by Anthony Young, on Flickr
On the motorway up Skiddaw by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Little Man and Derwent Water by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Bassenthwaite from Skiddaw summit ridge by Anthony Young, on Flickr
On the way to Skiddaw Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Epic Hughie shot by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Skiddaw Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr
From the Viewpoint indicator to Bassenthwaite by Anthony Young, on Flickr
I took my time over lunch given it was just about all down hill from here, previously with Nicola and Grace we'd contoured around Barkbethdale and returned to the car that way but this time I wanted to take in Bakestall and the Birkett of Cockup on the way back. To say the walk to Bakestall from Skiddaw is easy is an understatement given the total ascent must be less than ten meters and the remainder a gentle down hill trudge.
Skiddaw from Broad End by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Lonscale Fell from the descent to Bakestall by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Bakestall Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Northern Fells from Bakestall by Anthony Young, on Flickr
For all that it required minimum effort Bakestall still provides good views of the wilderness behind the Northern Fells famous duo of Blencathra and Skiddaw. The next task was finding my way to Cockup which required some rough going to make it around the head of Dead Beck but soon the inevitable baggers path came underfoot as we made our way up to this lonely top.
Layers by Anthony Young, on Flickr
The joy of reaching the last top of the day by Anthony Young, on Flickr
For all it's unremarkable grassyness Cockup provided a very nice place for a sit and munch on a few more rations, the wind was light here and it very pleasant sat in total silence apart from the odd distant sheep bleat and Hughie acting like an idiot rubbing himself on the grass. I'd made good time so didn't hurry off but once I did and started my way down the grassy slopes I slipped and did an impromptu splits
causing a sharp pull in my left thigh. I got up and brushed myself down and continued with my leg feeling a little sore.
Descending Cockup by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Path to Melbecks by Anthony Young, on Flickr
It was fortunately an easy return to the car through the fields and along the lane to High Side. As things turned out this was my last Lakes outing of 2017 with the slip induced injury lingering for far longer than I would have liked.
Looking back to Ullock Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Survivors by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Ullock Pike and tree by Anthony Young, on Flickr
A hint of Autumn by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Listening to such thoughts is normally prudent but instead I listened to the "it's just a local effect that the wind is so strong here" and set of across the fields towards Ullock Pike. Having not been out in the hills for about six weeks the steepness of the initial pull up to the Birkett of the Watches was quite a shock to the system but once the I got going I felt quite good and soon the strange collection of boulders on this minor top came and went and I set off up The Edge.
On the way up to Watches by Anthony Young, on FlickrUllock Pike from Watches by Anthony Young, on FlickrOne thing I had noticed so far was some unusual clouds forming to the North, nothing threatening unless you took them to be hostile alien invasion craft but worthy of mention. The wind that had been very strong back at the car park wasn't really an issue but the mass of fell side ahead was likely shielding me from the worst. This is a fine route and as you gain height the views start to open up nicely as the ridge steepens up to Ullock Pike's summit. It was one of the steeper sections that a hint of the wind was encountered as I was almost blown off a minor scramble
Taking more care I continued to the blowy top to take in the superb views especially towards Borrowdale, a true Lakeland classic.
Strange clouds forming the back'o Skidda by Anthony Young, on FlickrDerwent Water from Ullock Pike by Anthony Young, on FlickrAlong the Ridge to Longside Edge by Anthony Young, on FlickrSkiddaw's bulk seen from Longside Edge by Anthony Young, on FlickrUllock pike is not really a true individual fell but the last top on the ridge that curves away north from the bulk of Carlside. This being the case the walk to the next Wainwright of Longside Edge is a lovely easy stroll with super views, at least it normally is when the wind isn't attempting to blast you into Bassenthwaite but I managed to push my way to the top where the wind was approaching "not able to stand" levels. You might be wondering about Hughie in all of this, was I flying him as a kite? No small dogs close to the ground don't get as affected by wind as people so bad hair day apart he was fine.
Very windy on Longside Edge by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Back to Ullock Pike by Anthony Young, on FlickrStruggling to stand up at Longside Edge Summit by Anthony Young, on FlickrA bit of an ordeal was had getting to Carlside summit with the gentle gradient feeling a lot steeper into the force of the blast. It was noticeable that even with streaming eyes the wind wasn't quite as strong here, by the time I reached the screes of Skiddaw it had reduced to a far more manageable level and it was calm at the col with Little man with the fell providing shelter. Buoyed by the relief of not getting blasted by the wind we romped up Skiddaw's Smaller brother to take in AW's favourite view in the district.
Carlside Summit by Anthony Young, on FlickrA windblown Carlside Tarn by Anthony Young, on FlickrLooking back to the Edges from Skiddaw's screes by Anthony Young, on FlickrSkiddaw Little Man summit by Anthony Young, on FlickrThe wind was manageable on Little Man, either it was dropping or the topography of the fell was deflecting the worst so I decided I had no doubts about heading up Skiddaw, it's not as if I could be blown off a precipice up there
. I did pause to wonder if I should take in Lonscale Fell as well as a there and back before heading up Skiddaw but decided against it. With hindsight given I finished the walk quite a bit quicker than I expected perhaps I should have.Still I didn't so turned tail and tromped up the motorway that has formed over the years up Skiddaw, easy peasy with the wind at my back. By now I was starting to see a few other walkers but by the end of the day I only crossed paths with half a dozen at most, so much for the overcrowded fells of Lakeland
. Summit reached I took a few photos and found a nice sheltered spot for lunch. Blencathra and Lonscale Fell by Anthony Young, on FlickrTowards the Hellvelyn Range by Anthony Young, on FlickrOn the motorway up Skiddaw by Anthony Young, on FlickrLittle Man and Derwent Water by Anthony Young, on FlickrBassenthwaite from Skiddaw summit ridge by Anthony Young, on FlickrOn the way to Skiddaw Summit by Anthony Young, on FlickrEpic Hughie shot by Anthony Young, on FlickrSkiddaw Summit by Anthony Young, on FlickrFrom the Viewpoint indicator to Bassenthwaite by Anthony Young, on FlickrI took my time over lunch given it was just about all down hill from here, previously with Nicola and Grace we'd contoured around Barkbethdale and returned to the car that way but this time I wanted to take in Bakestall and the Birkett of Cockup on the way back. To say the walk to Bakestall from Skiddaw is easy is an understatement given the total ascent must be less than ten meters and the remainder a gentle down hill trudge.
Skiddaw from Broad End by Anthony Young, on FlickrLonscale Fell from the descent to Bakestall by Anthony Young, on Flickr
Bakestall Summit by Anthony Young, on FlickrNorthern Fells from Bakestall by Anthony Young, on FlickrFor all that it required minimum effort Bakestall still provides good views of the wilderness behind the Northern Fells famous duo of Blencathra and Skiddaw. The next task was finding my way to Cockup which required some rough going to make it around the head of Dead Beck but soon the inevitable baggers path came underfoot as we made our way up to this lonely top.
Layers by Anthony Young, on FlickrThe joy of reaching the last top of the day by Anthony Young, on FlickrFor all it's unremarkable grassyness Cockup provided a very nice place for a sit and munch on a few more rations, the wind was light here and it very pleasant sat in total silence apart from the odd distant sheep bleat and Hughie acting like an idiot rubbing himself on the grass. I'd made good time so didn't hurry off but once I did and started my way down the grassy slopes I slipped and did an impromptu splits
causing a sharp pull in my left thigh. I got up and brushed myself down and continued with my leg feeling a little sore.Descending Cockup by Anthony Young, on FlickrPath to Melbecks by Anthony Young, on FlickrIt was fortunately an easy return to the car through the fields and along the lane to High Side. As things turned out this was my last Lakes outing of 2017 with the slip induced injury lingering for far longer than I would have liked.
Looking back to Ullock Pike by Anthony Young, on FlickrSurvivors by Anthony Young, on FlickrUllock Pike and tree by Anthony Young, on FlickrA hint of Autumn by Anthony Young, on Flickr
