Wednesday 22nd August 2007

Start point: Bowness Knott Car Park (NY 109 153)

Bowness Knott Car Park - Gillerthwaite - Ennerdale Forest - Pillar Cove - Shamrock Traverse - Pillar - Black Crag (Pillar) - Scoat Fell - Steeple - Lingmell - Bowness Knott Car Park

Distance: 11 miles     Total Ascent: 1080 metres     Time Taken: 5 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny, cold wind on the tops. 23oC.

Route Map

Pillar is my favourite mountain as I think I have said previously but this is the first time I have climbed it from the Ennerdale side and what a route; it is absolutely fabulous! This had everything I desire in a good walk - it is rugged, steep and rocky, remote and wild and it gave something that everyone looks for now and again, namely a jaw dropping 'wow' moment at the start of the climb towards Pillar Rock. The scenery is awesome, simply the best there is and in Pillar Cove it feels like no person has ever been there before with that mighty column of rock towering above. Coupled with the fine and clear weather this made it truly a walk to remember and one which I shall definitely repeat.

Early morning light on Crag Fell over Ennerdale Water.

Scoat Fell, Haycock and Little Gowder Crag on the horizon.

A profile of Pillar. The route is straight up from the bottom left past the lump of Pillar Rock.

Looking across to Steeple and the ridge to be used in descent.

A very impressive view indeed and a real jaw dropping moment. The route is to the right of the small beck then diagonally left below Pillar Rock.

Casper waits patiently amongst the tree stumps. There is no doubt this view has vastly improved with the deforestation and the path used is an old firebreak between the trees which makes the going easier than it would have been.

Ennerdale from the climb.

It's almost like a scene from a 'Lost World' film looking up to the dominating Pillar Rock.

Casper eyes up Pillar Rock - gulp!

Pillar Rock.

Pillar Rock - High Man.

High Stile across Ennerdale.

The East Face of High Man from the Shamrock Traverse. My shadow at the bottom gives it some scale.

Up there Dad?

Pillar Rock from the upper part of the Shamrock Traverse with Pisgah in front and High Man behind.

The north-eastern fells beyond High Crag with Skiddaw in the distance.

Casper on the summit of Pillar. There were lovely views to Scotland in the north and to Furness in the south today.

Looking over to Great Gable and Kirk Fell to the left with the Scafells covered in cloud. Lingmell is on the right in the middle distance.

Skiddaw and Blencathra over Robinson and Hindscarth.

The summit of Pillar. Although the skies were blue, there was a really strong wind up here and it was much colder than it looks. Time to get a jacket on.

Descending to Wind Gap looking to Red Pike.

The way ahead - descending  to Wind Gap up to Black Crag then continuing to Scoat Fell and round to Steeple.

Casper demonstrates how Wind Gap got its name!

The east face of Steeple from Black Crag.

Looking back to Pillar.

Negotiating the shattered rocks on Scoat Fell.

The summit of Scoat Fell, the summit cairn is atop the wall on the upper right.

The walk out to Steeple is along this fine, airy arête.

Ennerdale Water from the summit of Steeple.

Looking across Ennerdale to Skiddaw in the distance from Steeple.

Ennerdale Water from Steeple.

Great Borne and Starling Dodd across Ennerdale.

Ennerdale Water from the descent of Lingmell.

Crag Fell over Ennerdale Water - compare the light with that of the first photo above.

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