Sheffield Pike plus

[Phooooey]

Glenridding - Glenridding Dodd - Sheffield Pike - Red Tarn - Birkhouse Moor - Glenridding

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A couple of days after our lovely (if wet) trip to Kinlochleven and I was itching to continue my break from work by knocking over a few more homely fells. A few weeks ago we (Damson, me and my mate John) missed Glenridding Dodd & Sheffield Pike in the snow after a shocking number of walking faux pars were made so I set off to amend this travesty.

I parked at the pub at the top of Glenridding (or on road just after it) and headed up to the row of cottages that line the road heading to the YMCA. Between the sets of cottages we clambered up a quite steep section to find the col between Glenridding Dodd & Heron Pike. I made very hard work of this and had to stop every few yards but Damson was already into 4 paw drive mode and ended up running up and down to encourage me to carry on. From the col it was a short hop right up onto the Dodd itself with lovely views over Ullswater and down over the village.

Damson on Glenridding Dodd

Sheffield Pike from Glenridding Dodd

We then returned and went up left and the ascent up onto Heron & Sheffield Pikes and up above the snow line which was clearly seen on all the fells in this area of the district. Some lovely views out towards Helvellyn and St Sundays Crag and back towards Ullswater and the north past Hart Side which we visited only 3 or 4 weeks previous.

Ullswater from Heron Pike

Glenridding Dodd & village from Heron Pike

Tarn near summit of Sheffield Pike

Sheffield Pike Panorama

Towards Hart Side from Sheffield Pike

Damson on Sheffield Pike summit

On way back down towards the YMCA , I realised it was still fairly early and decided to bag Birkhouse Moor (another one I missed from a previous walk (Helvellyn & Raise blog) by not realising it was a Wainwright until returning home.

Heading down to ascent path for Red Tarn

Waterfall on Red Tarn ascent path

This meant crossing the beck above the YMCA and heading right up the long zig zag slog upto the stunning Red Tarn.
I've grown quite fond of this area over the last 18 months as all my visits here and to Helvellyn have fallen on beautiful days despite most not being anywhere near summer. Today was no exception even though the entire area had a fantastic white dusting.

Damson at Red Tarn

Red Tarn panorama

Red Tarn in snow and sun

After grabbing a small bite to eat and a number of photos we headed towards the hole in the wall and left along the wall to the top of Birkhouse Moor before descending down a few thousand stone steps back to Glenridding Village. (Severe jelly legs by the time we got back to the car).

Damson on Birkhouse Moor

Looking across valley at initial ascent path

Great walk in great weather and good conditions for most of my photos (won't complain about the sun but it has created some haze and unwanted effects on some taken today).

[SusieThePensioner]

Craig, glad you and Damson were able to get these completed in such wonderful weather

So enjoyed reading your report and some brilliant photos. Particularly like the ones of Ullswater from Heron Pike, Damson on Sheffield Pike summit and Red Tarn in snow and sun

[johnkaysleftleg]

Nice report and lovely pics. Looking to get over the Lakes this weekend. Might just do Sheffield Pike having read that.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Woops

[ChrisW]

Great report JK and lovely pics to accompany it, that first one is a beauty - it looks like a book cover