Sunday, 9th May 2010
| Walk: | Hawell Monument, Lonscale Fell, Skiddaw Little Man, Skiddaw, Bakestall, Skiddaw House, Cumbria Way, Whit Beck | ||
| Start Point: | Car park below Latrigg | Grid Ref: | NY 280 254 |
| Distance: | 11.5 miles | Ascent: | 3,100 feet |
| Weather: | Overcast and cold | ||
| Accompanied by: |
8 members of the group, led by Ray |
||
| Comments: | The climb up the 'tourist' path was relieved by a detour to Lonscale Fell, from where we were able to follow the line of the 'Great Divide', the geological fault that runs from Great Calva through the Glenderaterra Valley and the Vale of St John to Thirlmere, Grasmere, Rydal Water and Windermere. After retracing our steps we continued up to Skiddaw Little Man and along the wide path to the summit of Skiddaw. After persuading the group to pose for a photo we headed down the rocky slope, looking very different to when we completed the same walk in April 2008. Then it is off to one of the few Wainwrights that you walk down to (unless you are doing the walk the other way round!). After a short pause at Bakestall we continue down to Whitewater Dash, and along the path to Skiddaw House. From here we follow the high path along the Glenderaterra Valley and back to the cars. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
The Hawell monument remembers . . .
a father and son
The gate provides a catch-up stop as we look back down the path with Latrigg on the right
A detour takes us to Lonscale Fell . . .
where the group enjoys the views . . .
before walking across to the top of Lonscale Crags . . .
where the top of the valley is dominated by Great Calva . . .
and the 'great divide' gives vies as far as Thirlmere
Heading back towards Flag Pots we can see Skiddaw Little Man on the left and Skiddaw on the right
Passing a 'decorated' cairn . . .
we continue on to Skiddaw Little Man with Lonscale Fell and Blencathra in the distance
After checking out the views over Keswick and Derwent Water . . .
we soon leave Little Man behind . . .
and continue on the wide path, with views over Longside Edge and Bassenthwaite
The group gather around the topograph . . .
while I check out the trig point, with Blencathra and Lonscale Fell to the right
Heading down the rocky slope is a very different prospect to 2 years ago . . .
when a toboggan would have been useful . . .
but there is still a little snow to be found
Continuing the descent . . .
we reach Bakestall . . .
with another view of Bassenthwaite
Not a lot of water in Whitewater Dash waterfall
Dash Beck is crossed by . . .
a Packhorse bridge
but a more modern version takes us over the River Caldew
Great Calva provides the backdrop to a discussion about the roofer working on Skiddaw House
Our return routes heads for the base of Lonscale Crags . . .
and follows the line of the valley . . .
until Latrigg and the cars eventually come into view - but there is still a long way to go!
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