Wasdale Twin Giants - part 1

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Properly, this should be called Wasdale Triplets, as on this visit I did three walks. The middle day was Scafell Pike the long way round via Esk Hause: snow (very deep in places), blizzards, zero visibility all the way, and much use of map and compass!

So no photos of that walk... however, the first and third days yielded some great scenes. This one is Pillar and the Mosedale circuit (minus Yewbarrow): the other will be a straight-up-the-nose ascent of Great Gable, followed by the Wasdale Duffer, Kirkfell.

I was staying at the charming B&B at Burnthwaite Farm. Wasdale is one of my favourite places in the whole world, and I'd come here for three quiet days in January to enjoy the solitude and think through some key decisions. Should I put career first, or work-life balance? Challenge and greater financial prosperity, or "spending more time with my family" (as they always say when a dodgy politician resigns.) The three days helped me put things in perspective.

The first day dawned bright and clear, and the Mosedale Horseshoe beckoned in the sunshine...

IMG_4839 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

I followed the familiar track up to Gatherstone Head. From a wayside boulder I noticed tiny wisps of cloud appearing on the summits. Hmm.

IMG_4847 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The beck gave me an atmospheric view back to Yewbarrow.

IMG_4850 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

There was snow on Black Sail Pass, with the beetling crags of Kirkfell towering above.

IMG_4857 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

And the pass also gave a good view of Yewbarrow, Seatallan and Red Pike.

IMG_4858 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Grasmoor, Wandope and Eel Crag in the distance

IMG_4862 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

On up the ridge! Here's Red Pike and Pillar from near Looking Stead

IMG_4866 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The High Stile range, with the Grasmoor group beyond

IMG_4867 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Close-up of Grasmoor & Co, over the ridge of Seat

IMG_4870 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

As I got higher on the ridge, the snow cover got deeper and more extensive. Here I'm looking down towards Scarth Gap, with Robinson above it, and Hindscarth (looking higher and further away than it actually is) over on the right.

IMG_4871 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Looking back down the ridge with a skyline of Grey Knotts, Brandreth and Green Gable. Gable Crag, of course, on the far right.

IMG_4872 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The light was very different looking over to my left - clouds had gathered above Wasdale.

IMG_4873 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

A distant view across to the Dodds-Helvellyn skyline

IMG_4880 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

On the map this spot is marked as Great Doup. I have no idea what a Doup is, but if it means a massive chasm, then the place is well named.

IMG_4888 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The ridge ahead

IMG_4889 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Another Doupy view

IMG_4890 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Cornicing near the summit

IMG_4897 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The trig, looking icy

IMG_4894 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

More iciness

IMG_4892 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

It was compulsory to go over and look down on Pillar Rock

IMG_4896 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

A sudden gap in the clouds and a glimpse of Ennerdale oops almost typed Emmerdale

IMG_4899 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Another gulf-like gully. I have to confess I can't remember exactly where this was - maybe on Black Crag.

IMG_4905 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Another gap in the clouds gave a view of Red Pike

IMG_4911 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

And suddenly there was a revelation - Steeple, and Ennerdale Water in the distance.

IMG_4913 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Blue sky!

IMG_4916 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Steeple in Portrait format

IMG_4918 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Here's the ridge from Scoat Fell to Steeple. I wondered about having a go at this, as a there-and-back detour - but the clouds enveloped me again, accompanied by horizontal snow and a howling gale. I think the technical term is "hoolie". So I thought best to leave Steeple for another day.

IMG_4920 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

After that it was a whirling whiteout all the way to Red Pike. Just beyond the summit I had a brief backwards view. The flanks of Scoat Fell can be seen on the right.

IMG_4928 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The Chair

IMG_4929 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

More whiteout... the clouds finally began clearing as I descended Dore Head, giving me a glimpse of the Scafells

IMG_4933 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Peaceful evening skies above Yewbarrow... you'd be forgiven for thinking that it had been a nice calm day.

IMG_4934 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

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[ChrisW]

Well this took a while to write up HMHT Worth the wait though, it's so nice to see the winter tops out of season so to speak. I looked up Doup, it's an old norse word for "bottom, end or butt of something (or buttocks) so make of that what you will

[simon-b]

Great mountains, HMHT. It nice to see retrospective reports like this now and again. 2009 was an inspirational year for more than one of us. In Pam(fox)'s Nab to Beda Fell report, she mentions the view from Brock Crags of the horseshoe around Hartsop which we did in September 2009, and first got her into proper hillwalking. And it was climbing Pillar in April that year that got me right back into it. So we can both understand how those memories from seven years ago last, well enough to write a report!

You got spectacular views that day, coming in and out of the clouds. A nice time of year to be around Wasdale Head, although you need a torch to get to the pub and badk from Burnthwaite farm at the end of the day

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Well this took a while to write up HMHT Worth the wait though, it's so nice to see the winter tops out of season so to speak. I looked up Doup, it's an old norse word for "bottom, end or butt of something (or buttocks) so make of that what you will

cheers Chris, and thanks for the info! I will know next time I go up the Great Doup

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Great mountains, HMHT. It nice to see retrospective reports like this now and again. 2009 was an inspirational year for more than one of us. In Pam(fox)'s Nab to Beda Fell report, she mentions the view from Brock Crags of the horseshoe around Hartsop which we did in September 2009, and first got her into proper hillwalking. And it was climbing Pillar in April that year that got me right back into it. So we can both understand how those memories from seven years ago last, well enough to write a report!

You got spectacular views that day, coming in and out of the clouds. A nice time of year to be around Wasdale Head, although you need a torch to get to the pub and badk from Burnthwaite farm at the end of the day

Thanks!

I agree re the torch. Nice beer and food though!

I saw literally no-one in the three days, except my landlord at Burnthwaite and the barman at the pub. I was glad the Inn was open despite there being no other customers. Even the summit of Gable was utterly deserted - on a perfect day!

Yes I really enjoyed the Beda fell report - a favourite area of mine. I especially recall walking up there years ago on a sunny April day with my wife - from daffodils in Martindale to snow on the Angletarn Pikes!

Tim