Pillar via Black Sail Pass

[richardkchapman]

2024-04-17 Pillar_3085nodes.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

As mentioned in yesterday's report, there were a couple of Wainwrights that I THINK I climbed on family holidays in my teens, but cannot be 100% certain that I remember doing so. As I approach the completion of the set, I want to be 100% sure, so today's target was Pillar - I remember conversations with my father planning an ascent (and with my mother not wanting to have anything to do with it) but whether the ascent actually happened, I can't remember. Since neither of them are around to ask, there was only one way to be sure, I'd just have to climb it (again?). What a hardship...

From Little Langdale (our base for the week) to Wasdale Head is an hour's drive (doesn't look so far on a map, but it includes Wrynose and Hardknott passes). We made another early start though (the passes are a lot easier when there's no other traffic!), and were parked up in Wasdale Head by around 9am.

Setting off from Wasdale Head Car Park

We had selected a route up via Black Sail Pass. I know there are other, more exhilarating routes available, but my head for heights is awful these days, and I'm afraid the High Level route did not appeal.

The path sets off through the grounds of the Wasdale Head Inn, then along the path behind the farm. We heeded Wainwright's advice NOT to go wrong right at the start, despite the very tempting bridge.

Pretty Bridge - NOT the right path

The path up Mosedale starts off pretty gently, with a great (if rather daunting) view of the destination up ahead.

View up Mosedale with Pillar ahead

After a while the path crosses a stream (required a little care) and then steepens up to Black Sail Pass. It's a well-laid path though, and has zig-zags where needed, so we reached the pass tired but not exhausted.

Black Sail Pass

At the pass we turned left and headed up the ridge towards Pillar. The dogs soon found a nice little tarn to splash about in.

Dogs enjoying the Tarn near Black Sail Pass

Views in all directions were good, and getting better as we ascended. The clouds were looking a bit grey, and the wind was getting colder, but the forecast suggested the morning at least should be rain-free.

View of Skiddaw

Views over towards Wastwater showed Burnmoor Tarn hanging above it.

Burnmoor Tarn

There were also fine views of the high fells surrounding Mosedale.

Scoat Fell and Red Pike

And looking back, great views of Scafell and Scafell Pike.

View of Scafell and Scafell Pike

I knew to expect that the first two "summits" we ascended were false ones, though I think Lorraine was a little disheartened on each occasion. But eventually we cleared the last false summit and could begin the final climb to the top.

Over final false summit

The top itself is fairly level and undramatic - but the views are spectacular.

Approaching the summit

Brilliant views in all directions, including across the Solway Firth, and a glimpse of the Isle of Man.

View of Scotland

We settled into one of the wind shelters for lunch, where Dora proceeded to get herself properly tied up. Saved me the trouble...

Dora got herself stuck

We debated using the Wind Gap scree route for descent, but we are not really big fans of scree descents, and anyway the fine views of Scafell would be in front of us all the way of we descended the way we had come - so we went back down the way we had come up.

A fine day's walking, and the rain held off just long enough for us to get back to the car still dry (if rather tired). I had actually expected this walk to be longer (in distance and time) and harder than it turned out - there's a fair amount of ascent but not very much really steep and there are enough gaps between the steep bits to have time to recover. I found parts of the ascent just above Looking Stead to be a little vertiginous for my liking - better on the way down where I found a path nearer the centre of the ridge.

So, now that Pillar is PROPERLY ticked off, I can say with more confidence that I am one Wainwright away from completion. Or is it two? Depends on whether my slightly fuzzy memory of an ascent of Seat Sandal in my early 20s is accurate or not...