Hi Folks,
My daughter Steph and I wanted to do a nice long route this weekend and she has always fancied doing Skiddaw. Now Skiddaw has at least 5 routes up to it that I know of, but as far as I am concerned, the only really awesome route is via Ullock Pike so thats the route I planned.
Today we will summit 5 Wainwrights:
- Ullock Pike (2'264 ft)
- Long Side (2'408 ft)
- Carl Side (2'448 ft)
- Skiddaw (3'054ft)
- Bakestall (2'208 ft)
Time & Distance Info
- Distance walked: = 7.9 miles
- Time Taken: = 6.5hrs
- Total Ascent: = 3'120ft
This route when viewed in Open Topo map looks like this: (N/S Orientation correct)
Here is the elevation profile:
And the view as seen on Google Earth.
We parked up in the few available slots on a little road off the A591 called North Row. You have to get here early if you want a slot as there are only about 5 spaces, so we left Blackpool at 6:30am to be parked up here at 8:30am.
Access to the fells is straight through the gate by the lay-by.
As soon as you start the route you're going uphill, but it starts quite gentle and the views open up in literally minutes.
Our view to Ullock Pike.
Walking alongside Ling How is a very beautiful area on a nice day like this.
The light today is very harsh as we are walking into the sun, so most of todays early images will be looking back to the west. Here Bassenthwaite is starting to become prominent in our view.
Steph ascending up onto Ling How.
We are up on "The Edge" now, the view back down the ridge is awesome.
Steph and I were having a giggle at how many "old" folk have overtaken us like it's just a morning stroll! We wish we were as fit as these folk. Maybe one day eh?
I mean, lets face it... this is no easy path in anyones book, but folk just wander passed us reading the bloody paper as they go! LOL
All joking aside, they are an absolute inspiration to us and really drive Steph and I to get fitter as they are showing us what can be achieved if we keep at it and lay off the pies!
Selfie time! Stephs sporting her cool new Montane cap. I like it a lot.
Steph just past Ullock Pike summit looking across to the awesome Skiddaw!
Looking back to Ullock Pike... Now people are even cycling past us!
Steph on Longside Summit. Skiddaw isn't looking any easier. You can see the ascent path up the side from here.
Looking back from Long Side to Ullock Pike.
Carl Side ahead.
The view back along the ridge to Long Side and Ullock Pike.
With Carl Side done (I forgot to take an image there!) Its time to take stock of the task ahead. Skiddaw!
Its steep... very steep. We had gotten talking to a nice lady up on her own from down south, so Steph was walking ahead with her for now.
But she soon disappeared into the distance as poor Steph had to wait for her old dad. However... On one of the many breather stops, I took this panorama of our route so far. That ridge is just an awesome walk. One of my favourites by far.
Its getting cold and windy here now above 2800ft. Our hoods are up but we are toasty due to the hard work of climbing this path.
What a view backwards. Of course, just after I took this image someone cycled down it like it was nothing. rather them than me though!
Finally, we reach the top. Just a short walk to the summit now.
Skiddaw Summit. Not many people get a view like this up here, we are very lucky today.
I'm very proud of Steph, this is a hard hike and she has done it no problem. Naturally I demand another selfie.
Onwards now to Bakestall which is in the distance. Its blowing a gale up here so we are keen to get down and eat.
Bakestall is the dark red coloured fell on the right.
Looking back up at Skiddaw after descending onto Broad End.
Bakestall ahead and our only snow of the day.
We found a nice broken down sheep fold in which we could fry up some hot food. Well deserved too in my opinion. We had a bacon butty, and then a spam butty to wash it down with, followed by lots of coffee and a chat with a nice couple who joined us there with their hungry hound who liked Spam. Perfect.
After an hour's lunch break, it was just a short hike from there up to Bakestall summit.
Steph at the 5th and final summit of the day. Bakestall.
From here we wander off track and go up and over Broad End.
To be fair, this was the worst part of the day. It was an absolute slog, very uneven and on an awkward angle for the ankles. Not at all enjoyable.
We walked round Broad End, trying to keep at 600m until we reached a section called White Horse, where we picked up a very steep path down.
Which also wasn't a great deal of fun, but at least it was a path.
You can see our intended route from here. Down to Barkbeth Gill and over Little Knott, basically following that wall, but via the diagonal path you can see from the middle of the image. Beyond that is Southerndale beck out of shot.
Steph at Southerdale Beck some time later.
From here, its easy walking back to the car.
Looking back to our awesome days route.
The car is just beyond that hill. And we will both be very pleased to sit in it today!
And that ended another great day on the fells with my daughter. Just a couple of hours drive home in the sunshine. Absolute perfection.
Here is some route data from my Suunto Ambit 3 Peak.
Thanks for reading folks. I hope you enjoyed taking a little trip with us and that it inspired you to try the route. Remember, take your time, don't ever rush. The fells are there to be enjoyed, not endured.
While you are out there enjoying the beautiful fells, remember the golden rules...
"Take only pictures, leave only footprints and keep only memories".
Camera Details:
All images in this blog were taken with my little pocket sized Canon G7X point and shoot. Its not a patch on my Canon 5D MK3 of course but I no longer lug all that around with me hiking as its just too cumbersome. When I find a scene worth of the 5D3's talents, I usually return one day to make the best of it.
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Route Completed on March 25th, 2016 with Stephanie Sanderson
New Wainwrights: 0. New total: 129 of 214.
New Birketts: 0. New total 179 of 541.