Skiddaw

Start Point: Gale Road car park (NY 280 253)

Gale Road End – Skiddaw Lesser Man – Skiddaw Little Man – Skiddaw South Top – Skiddaw Middle Top – Skiddaw – Skiddaw North Top – Jenkin Hill – Lonscale Fell – Lonscale Pike – Gale Road End

Distance:13.1km
Total Ascent: 747m
Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes
Start Time: 07:30
Weather: Sunny (in the end!). 15ºC
Finlay’s Wainwright Count:42/214 (3 new this walk)
Early morning at the start of the walk – there was plenty of cloud around but the sun was trying to shine through.
The Hawell Monument at the foot of the Skiddaw climb.
It’s not looking too bad out to the west, at least it’s clearing up now. The bracken is starting to grow now making the fells look a lot greener.
Looking down on Derwent Water and Keswick from the steep (much steeper than I remembered!) climb. As I toiled up here, a group of E-Mountain Bikers passed me which looked like hard work and good fun all at the same time!
Once the steep section was complete, I could see the rain out to the east and indeed as I climbed towards Lesser Man it started spotting with rain. I did think I was in for a soaking when I took this photo of Skiddaw Lesser Man (with the instantly recognisable steelwork) but at least it was relatively warm so I held off getting a jacket from my bag for now.
Finlay little man on Skiddaw Little Man, Wainwright #40.
…and the unfettered view from Skiddaw Little Man. It seems to be clearing up nicely over Keswick now.
Lovely light on Catbells.
A magnificent view of Derwent Water and the surrounding fells.
As I was descending the dip between Little Man and Skiddaw, the sun came out and it was starting to look a whole lot better. As I climbed up to Skiddaw though, the wind picked up (is there ever a non-windy day on Skiddaw?) and it was really quite breezy along the summit ridge but the temperature remained bearable. This is looking north from Skiddaw South Top, the highest point being between the two cairns (on the south top!).
Looking out towards the Solway Firth from Skiddaw, below is Bassenthwaite Lake and across the Solway Criffel is in view.
Looking back to the north (North Top cairns visible) from Skiddaw Middle Top.
The summit of Skiddaw. As I looked around from here I realised I was alone – a rare occurrence for Skiddaw I am sure! I had passed a couple of people as I walked along the ridge but now there was no-one and I never saw anyone else up here as I wandered further north and then back along the ridge.
The wind-o-meter shows how breezy it was up on Wainwright #41, Skiddaw!
The view northwards from the indicator column. New (to me) was a small solar panel – anyone know what that is for? I can only think of a weather station or similar?
On Skiddaw North Top looking back towards the summit – it is still windy with still ever changing light!
Back along to the north end of the ridge and now the conditions had changed; the sun was shining and the fells were lit up for this superb view. Finlay certainly seemed to enjoy it! It didn’t take much descent before the wind dropped and the temperature rose accordingly making it a perfect day to be out on the fells.
Following the tourist path down towards Jenkin Hill firstly and the Lonscale Pike – Blencathra is to the left. Now the skylarks were singing and coupled with the sun shining it made for a joyous day to be out.
Jenkin Hill, not far from the beaten path!
Lonscale Fell – our third and final Wainwright of the day which made for a full house of lonesome summits – again!
A glimpse into Coledale and the Coledale fells.
A great view along to Robinson, the High Stile ridge then Pillar beyond.
Keswick and Derwent Water from Lonscale Fell.
What a view to the south too, looking along the Naddle Valley to Thirlmere and beyond.
Lonscale Pike, marked with a modest cairn these days, lies to the east of the main fell and it overlooks the Glenderaterra Vally. This is a lovely, airy perch and it made a great place for a sit down, a rest and to take it all in.
Almost back to the car and it is really warming up now and the sky is cloudless. Finlay managed to find a good little bathing pool in Whit Beck, which the path crosses – heaven for him, if there was a bit more water in it I think I would have been in it too!

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