Start Point: Seathwaite car park next to church (SD 229 961)

Seathwaite – Green Pikes (Outlying Fell) –  Pikes (Outlying Fell) – Caw (Outlying Fell) – Seathwaite

Distance: 5.8 km
Total Ascent: 469 metres     
Time Taken: 2 hours 10 minutes
Start Time: 14:15
Weather: Mainly sunny. 2ºC with a cold wind chill on the top.
Finlay’s Wainwright count: 17/214 (0 new this walk)

It was another sunny and cold day in the Lake District, perfect weather for a walk really. It’s a while since I’ve been to Green Pikes and Pikes, generally I tend to climb Caw from Broughton Mills side as it’s quicker to get to and to climb from there. None of this walk disappointed though with glorious views along the Duddon Valley to the Scafells and the rest of the high fells beyond – all covered with a sprinkling of snow today. I didn’t see anyone else at all today.

Grey Friar from the Dobby Shaw climb, heading for Green Pikes.

Harter Fell.

A great, wintry view along the Duddon Valley from the steep climb to Green Pikes. Harter Fell is on the left and the Scafells beyond with a sprinkling of snow on them.

White Pike glowing in the already setting winter sun.

The top of Green Pikes is marked with a small cairn containing only a few stones and the large shadow of Caw is looming over us.

Green Pikes can seem a strange choice for a named top as it is not too far from our next one, Pikes. The view though is outstanding and almost like being on the edge of a cliff looking out over the Duddon Valley.

Harter Fell looking like a giant, Scafell beyond.

Next stop is Pikes ahead (not quite as bad to reach as it appears in this photo!).

The moon rising over the Coniston fells, taken from Pikes.

The view of the Duddon Valley from Pikes.

On leaving Pikes there is a bit of a disheartening dip before a seemingly long and steep climb to the summit of Caw. I wasn’t sure whether I would make it before the sun dipped behind Black Combe which is probably 10-15 minutes before actual sunset. As it turned out the climb wasn’t too bad after all!

Phew, made it! The wind really picked up once on top of the Caw summit ridge and of course it was a real icy blast!

Finlay in the sunny glow.

The moon is noticeably higher over The Old Man now and the shadows ever lengthening. Pikes is still catching the sunlight, centre right.

Caw summit trig. point.

Some of the Wasdale fells in the distance – Red Pike, Scoat Fell and Pillar.

Looking out to the west Cumbrian coast, Devoke Water nestling on Birker Fell with Sellafield works visible beyond.

The Duddon Estuary.

The sun setting behind Black Combe, Stickle Pike directly below it. it was a lovely walk with complete solitude and nice to be wrapped up well against the cold chill.