Mosdale Horseshoe Via the High Traverse

[ChrisG]

Fantastic day out on a classic Lakeland route. Unfortunately couldn't manage the scramble up Yewbarrow at the end of the walk ran out of time but it looks a fantastic route next time perhaps.

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[ChrisW]

Thats a damn good round Chris, I wouldn't have had the energy for any more never mind the time Lovely atmospheric shots as always

[AJNicholls]

Hi Chris, did the same walk on the same day as you. (Plus Kirk Fell East Top, which Ibex and me missed by accident back in May.)

Good day out, shame about the occasional shower. The clag dropped down quite thick when I was descending Red Pike, otherwise I'd have been tempted by Yewbarrow also. Will save that for another day.

[ChrisG]

Hi Chris, did the same walk on the same day as you. (Plus Kirk Fell East Top, which Ibex and me missed by accident back in May.)

Good day out, shame about the occasional shower. The clag dropped down quite thick when I was descending Red Pike, otherwise I'd have been tempted by Yewbarrow also. Will save that for another day.

We missed the east top this time didn't know there was an east top till i got home and ticked them off. We must of come off at the same time as we came down Red Pike in thick clag also.

[AJNicholls]

Hi Chris, did the same walk on the same day as you. (Plus Kirk Fell East Top, which Ibex and me missed by accident back in May.)

Good day out, shame about the occasional shower. The clag dropped down quite thick when I was descending Red Pike, otherwise I'd have been tempted by Yewbarrow also. Will save that for another day.

We missed the east top this time didn't know there was an east top till i got home and ticked them off. We must of come off at the same time as we came down Red Pike in thick clag also.

Yep, Ibex and me didn't spot the extra top on Kirk Fell until too late either. Note there's one on Yewbarrow too when you go back.

[simon-b]

A good route, Chris. It seems there were a few of us on Red Pike that day! Some people rate Yewbarrow as the most difficult of the Wainwrights, so it's worth saving for good weather. I was lucky on Saturday, having made an early start, so I reached Yewbarrow in clear conditions. A tough little hill, but exhilarating. Something for you to look forward to!

[ChrisG]

I'm really looking forward to the challenge of Yewbarrow, I'm ok at ups but not as good on the downs. So which way should I do it?

[simon-b]

I'm really looking forward to the challenge of Yewbarrow, I'm ok at ups but not as good on the downs. So which way should I do it?

If you're going to take on Stirrup Crag, then it sounds like you'd be more comfortable climbing it than coming down, Chris.

Now you've done Red Pike, you could, of course, do Yewbarrow on its own, missing Stirrup Crag altogether. There's a new path from Wasdale Head to the summit ridge on the Bell Rib (south) side of Yewbarrow's top, which bypasses Great Door - this should also make descent by that route more easy (on Saturday I came down by Wainwright's classic route visiting Great Door, but that involves quite a rough descent).

I noticed that work is being done on the new route I mentioned to improve that path. That gives me mixed feelings - Yewbarrow is supposed to be hard; one of the things that makes the 214 a challenge!

[ChrisG]

I think when I do it I'll do the classic route up and down. But it's nice to know theres a bit of a chicken run if the downward scramble proves to much. Although I have to say I've managed what Ive set out to do so far. I like to scramble But i'm not the best with open exposure.

[AJNicholls]

I did Yewbarrow yesterday, up the South side then down the North side followed by a long scree descent towards my spiritual homeland of the pub at Wasdale Head. Really quite enjoyed it. It feels a bit exposed in places, but what's more of an issue is that some of the scrambly bits are relentlessly steep and awkward to get a foothold on. I was glad I was just aiming to bag this and nothing else yesterday as it gave me time to make a steady ascent and descent.

The South side has a lot more loose rocks than the North side by the way.

All told, this has to be one of my favourite fells. I'd have been tempted to do a Trip Report, but my preferred report title of "Dr. Yewbarrow or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Scramble" was apparently too long.