Tuesday 23rd June 2009

Start point: Overbeck Bridge (NY 168 068)

Overbeck Bridge - Bell Rib - Great Door - Yewbarrow (South Top) - Yewbarrow (North Top) - Dore Head - Low Tarn - Overbeck - Overbeck Bridge

Distance: 5 miles     Total Ascent: 725 metres    Time Taken: 3 hours

Weather: Glorious sunshine. 24oC.

Route Map

What a gorgeous summer day today, the best this year that I have been out in for sure. I headed over to Wasdale and had a walk up to Yewbarrow which is always a great walk. I managed to find not one but two places to have a welcome dip today and there is no better feeling than having a bathe in cool, fresh water on a day such as today.

Regular viewers will know that I have been writing a feature for Lake District Life magazine for the last couple of years. That magazine is now defunct and has amalgamated with the much bigger Lancashire Life. I am pleased to announce that I have now signed up to write a column in there starting from the August issue - stick with me Casper lad, I'll make you a star!

I can never resist the early morning Wasdale view, so here's a plethora of them...

A close up on Great Gable and Lingmell.

Yewbarrow, where I am walking today, is the fell to the left in this photo.

Beautiful reflections on a calm Wast Water today.

The view to the southern end of the lake.

Last one , on with the walk!

It is a glorious day at the start of the climb to Bell Rib, the southern crag of Yewbarrow.

All is bright and green for this steep climb.

Looking at the climb or the sheep Casper?

Middle Fell.

The view to Wasdale from the steep scree climb skirting Bell Rib.

Suddenly you pop out of the scree chute at Great Door.

Thirsty work for Casper, there's not been a lot to drink so far.

A grand view of The Scafells

An immaculate looking Wast Water with Illgill Head and Whin Rigg beyond.

A close up on Burnmoor Tarn with Harter Fell and Green Crag beyond and Caw lying central.

Red Pike, Scoat Fell and Pillar from the summit of Yewbarrow.

Yewbarrow's claim to fame is that all the Lake District 3000 footers can be seen from its summit. This view is to the most distant, Skiddaw, straight along the ridge.

Kirk Fell and Great Gable and the fourth 3000 footer, Helvellyn, between Great Gable and the small lump of Glaramara.

Haycock and Red Pike with Low Tarn visible on the upper left.

Middle Fell and Seatallan.

At last! A drink and a swim for Casper.

Looking back to the main top of Yewbarrow from the highest point to the north. The cairned north top is further along the ridge.

Pillar from the North Top of Yewbarrow.

Great Gable and Great End at the head of Lingmell Beck.

Kirk Fell and Great Gable.

Pillar and Mosedale.

Casper leads the way on the steep descent of Stirrup Crag.

Red Pike across Dore Head.

Pillar from Dore Head Tarn.

I decided to walk to Low Tarn nestling below Red Pike and it was baking hot now, here looking to the Scafells from the tarn plateau across a cotton grass field.

Low Tarn. It was so hot that I could not resist a dip in here although it is not exactly the deepest tarn for a swim. A quiet mountain tarn like this is simply an idyllic place to bathe.

Red Pike across Low Tarn.

Looking across to Yewbarrow from High Fell and unless my eyes deceive me that's a cow! In fact there was a whole herd of them, not something you really expect to see so high up. I'm sorry Casper but you are on your own!

This is a good view of Dropping Crag on Yewbarrow. The route of ascent directly to Great Door is the scree slope that curves to the right. The alternative path to the left misses it completely.

Red Pike and Over Beck.

Well, I couldn't resist this fantastic deep pool on Over Beck, so it was in for the second dip of the day.

The Scafells taken from the foot of Yewbarrow.

Scafell.

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