Striding Edge

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The Mosedale Horseshoe

Walked on 01/03/2022

Start point: Wasdale Head (NY 187 088)

Wasdale Head – Black Sails Pass –Pillar – Wind Gap – Black Crag (Pillar) – Scoat Fell – Steeple – Red Pike – Dore Head Screes – Wasdale Head

Distance: 9.4 miles     Total Ascent: 1009 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes

Clear               
Temperature      4 ℃ 
Felt like        2 ℃
Wind Speed       4.1 mi/h
Wind Direction   NE

What a fantastic day for being out on the fells. February was pretty much a wash out/blow out after a number of named storms and a day of settled and fine weather came as a blessed relief! It’s a good while since I have done this route (12 years!) but I picked the perfect day to visit my favourite fell and area. There was perfect clarity and hardly a breath of wind throughout and I even caught the sun a little too.

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Great Gable from Wasdale Head.

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The long and winding road into Mosedale.

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Crossing Gatherstone Beck looking down to Mosedale and across to Dore Head, the route of descent later (gulp!).

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The view towards Looking Stead and Pillar from Black Sail pass.

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Climbing high above Mosedale now.

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High Stile and High Crag across Ennerdale.

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Wasdale Head from the climb to Pillar.

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The ridge walk to the top.

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The eastern crags of Red Pike.

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The approach to Pillar.

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Pillar summit (my personal favourite) looking to the Scafells.

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...and to the north.

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I can see for miles and miles...across Ennerdale...across Buttermere...across the Vale of Keswick to Skiddaw and Blencathra.

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Looking down on Pillar Rock.

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Ennerdale Water.

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Patches of snow remain on the highest areas.

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Pillar.

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The route descends to Wind Gap and then up to Black Crag before the climb to Scoat Fell.

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On Black Crag.

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Steeple and shadows.

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

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A new haircut for Fletcher. We sat on Steeple for a while, a great place for lunch in the relatively warm conditions.

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Looking across to Pillar and Black Crag from Steeple.

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Today's lunch spot view.

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We crossed the wall on Scoat Fell and headed directly for Red Pike.

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Great Gable above Kirk Fell.

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Middle Fell and Seatallan across Scoat Tarn.

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Approaching the summit of Red Pike.

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On the edge - the summit cairn of Red Pike.

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Wasdale Head.

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Fletcher on his throne - The Chair on Red Pike.

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Wast Water and Low Tarn from The Chair.

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Stirrup Crag and Dore Head from the descent of Red Pike.

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Pillar from Dore Head.

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The way down! This is steep to say the least - handy hint: there is a path to the left go the actual scree run which makes the going slightly easier.

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Back down to earth in Mosedale.

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The head of Wasdale resplendent in sunshine.

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The classic view on the road out of Wasdale.

Black Crag (Pillar)

Height: 828 metres / 2717 feet Grid reference: NY 16562 11652

Black Crag summit - anyone lost a boot ?

Black Crag summit – anyone lost a boot ?

The climb to Black Crag from Wind Gap

The climb to Black Crag from Wind Gap

Scoat Fell, Black Crag and Pillar

Scoat Fell, Black Crag and Pillar

Pillar

Walked on 24/08/2013

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

Bowness Knott Car Park -Ennerdale Forest – Pillar Cove – Robinson’s Cairn – High Level Route – Shamrock Traverse – Pillar – Black Crag (Pillar) – Scoat Fell – Steeple – Lingmell – Bowness Knott Car Park

Distance: 11.2 miles     Total Ascent: 1114 metres     Time Taken: 6 hours     Start Time: 07:20

Weather: Wet and warm. 17oC

After all the good weather recently I guess there had to be some bad – it just so happens that this was the only day I could get out so I had to take it as it came. Let’s just say I had some good navigation practice and needless to say, I saw no-one all day! Today’s walk will be a ‘Trail Route’ in a future edition of Trail magazine.

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Early morning in Ennerdale and the clag is down low on the fells.

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On the forest track. After this photo came the drizzle...and even lower clag.

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Climbing Pillar the steep way.

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At Robinson's Cairn.

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Robinson's Cairn.

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The best view I had of The Pillar today - from Pisgah.

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Damp Dougal Doo.

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Pillar summit.

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Clearing mist over Scoat Fell.

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Heading for Steeple along the arête.

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Out of the mist on the descent of Steeple.

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Red Pike and High Stile across Ennerdale.

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Pillar and Windgap Cove.

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Looking back up to Steeple from the descent.

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Pillar is almost free of cloud now.

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Steeple and the Long Crag ridge used in descent.

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The steep way back to Ennerdale.

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The weather has turned around now, Ennerdale is looking much better than in the first photo!

Ennerdale Circuit

Walked on 28/06/2011

Start point: Bleach Green, Ennerdale (NY 085 153)

Bleach Green – Bowness – Great Borne – Starling Dodd – Little Dodd (Ennerdale) – Red Pike (Buttermere) – High Stile – High Crag – Memorial Bridge, Ennerdale – High Level Traverse – Shamrock Traverse – Pillar – Black Crag (Pillar) – Scoat Fell – Steeple – Haycock – Little Gowder Crag – Caw Fell – Ennerdale Fell – Crag Fell – Bleach Green

Distance: 18 miles     Total Ascent: 2183 metres     Time Taken: 10 hours     Start Time: 06:00

Weather: Sunny and warm. 15°C

It’s a good while since I have done a full day walk and today seemed like a good opportunity to do a circuit of lovely Ennerdale. The weather was superb, a bit fresher than of late and the air was clearer for it. It was a great day out amongst my favourite fells and it was relatively quiet up there too, although it was good to chat to StridingEdge fans on Scoat Fell and then on Steeple. 

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Ennerdale circuit route map.

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Early morning in Ennerdale.

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Pillar silhouetted at the head of the Water.

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Crag Fell.

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Looking out from the shadows on the steep climb to Great Borne.

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Suddenly, out of the shadows and into the sunlight and heading for the summit of Great Borne.

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Gavel Fell from Great Borne.

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Ennerdale. The outward leg of today's walk is to the left, the return is to the right.

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The Loweswater fells - Gavel Fell, Hen Comb and Mellbreak.

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Grasmoor across Crummock Water.

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Any old iron? Starling Dodd summit.

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Layers of fells.

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Early morning shadow on Little Dodd.

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Starling Dodd and Great Borne from the climb to Red Pike.

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The summit of Red Pike.

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A panoramic view from Red Pike, Loweswater and Crummock Water in view.

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Casper and Dougal, hot already.

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Bleaberry Tarn and beyond on the way to High Stile.

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High Stile summit.

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Ennerdale Water.

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A great panoramic view from High Stile - Red Pike and Dodd to the left, Crummock Water and Grasmoor to the right.

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A clear view across to the Scafells, Great Gable and Kirk Fell...and of course the mighty Pillar.

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A panoramic across Ennerdale.

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Robinson across Buttermere.

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Pillar looks so tempting from here.

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Grasmoor and the Coledale fells across Buttermere.

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High Stile from the summit of High Crag.

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A view through to Skiddaw and Blencathra from High Crag.

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Instead of descending Gamlin End, I decided to go for a route 1 steeper than steep descent to Ennerdale direct (for masochists only this one, a real leg trembler!). I can see the Memorial Bridge from here (to the left of the tree line) where I want to cross and then the route of ascent is up and above the rocky knoll then to the right following the line of the beck before cutting diagonally left beneath Pillar Rock.

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Dougal tries to stop himself sliding all the way down into Ennerdale.

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You see yon precipice--it almost looks Like some vast building made of many crags, And in the midst is one particular rock That rises like a column from the vale, Whence by our Shepherds it is call'd, the Pillar. Extract from 'The Brothers', William Wordsworth 1800

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Down at the Memorial Bridge.

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Crossing the River Liza - Casper is easy to spot but can you see Dougal?

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Time for lunch (even though it is only 10.30!) and a seat with a fantastic view of Pillar Rock towering above. Now all I have to do is climb up there. To be continued...after my lunch...

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Looking back across to High Crag from the climb to Pillar. The route I used in descent is the diagonal scree run to the right.

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Ennerdale and the fells just walked.

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Into the lost valley. Pillar Rock naturally dominates the scene on this section of the walk.

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Magnificent Pillar Rock.

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Haystacks with Robinson's Cairn bottom right.

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Rounding the base of it to join the High Level Traverse.

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High Stile panoramic.

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Phew, made it! Dougal gets an eye opener when he spots the Shamrock Traverse.

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Pisgah and the east face of High Man. No Slab and Notch route for me today!

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It all looks so reachable from the Shamrock Traverse but there is a climb needed from any angle.

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Climbing higher with a view over Pillar Rock to High Stile and High Crag and the fells beyond.

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The summit of Pillar.

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Ennerdale from Pillar.

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Time for a second lunch stop on Pillar with a view to Great Gable, the Scafells and Wasdale Head.

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Looking back to Pillar from Black Crag.

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The east face of Steeple from Black Crag.

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Red Pike - the Wasdale one.

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Scoat Fell summit and a couple of StridingEdge fans ahead.

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Pillar from Scoat Fell.

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The route to airy Steeple and Dougal and Casper have spotted yet another StridingEdge fan to greet us.

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Pillar and Great Gable from Steeple.

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Ennerdale Water.

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Looking back on the descent of Scoat Fell - it looks like there is a party on Steeple to the left now.

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Heading for Haycock.

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Steeple and Scoat Fell from the summit of Haycock.

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Dougal checks out the route over Little Gowder Crag to Caw Fell.

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Caw Fell.

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Haycock from Caw Fell where we met some Beardie fans!

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The descent of Caw Fell following the wall to Iron Crag on Ennerdale Fell.

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The summit of Ennerdale Fell - Pillar, Steeple, Scoat Fell and Haycock in view.

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The long walk in following the Ennerdale Fence.

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Crag Fell.

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An Ennerdale panoramic from Crag Fell.

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The field back to the car park was full of cows so I didn't fancy crossing that with the two cow magnets in tow, so was forced to take a detour back down to the lake and passed this summer meadow on the way.

Mosedale Round

Walked on 10/11/2010

Start point: Wasdale Head (NY 187 088)

Wasdale Head – Looking Stead – Pillar – Wind Gap – Black Crag (Pillar) – Scoat Fell – Black Comb – Y Boulder – Wasdale Head

Distance: 7.5 miles     Total Ascent: 1050 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes     Start Time: 07:20

Weather: Cold and clear. 6C

If anyone wondered whether it was winter yet, even after yesterday’s walk, I can confirm it is well and truly here. It felt more like a February day today with views to match – absolute clarity and stunning views is the only way to describe it – a magical day on the fells.

 

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Mosedale Round route map.

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First light at the head of Mosedale.

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The fell tops are on fire.

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Sunrise panoramic.

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Red Pike looking...red.

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New day rising over Kirk Fell. I followed the short cut path up towards Looking Stead to get here and missed out Black Sail Pass.

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Pillar from Looking Stead.

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Yewbarrow and beyond from the climb to Pillar.

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Scoat Fell, Black Crag and Pillar.

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The route to Pillar.

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What a view looking back - Great Gable and the Scafells.

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Looking across Ennerdale to distant Skiddaw and Blencathra.

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It was an Arctic wind up here today and everything was frozen, including me! I stopped here to layer up.

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Beautiful landscape on the way to Pillar.

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Clear as anything looking across to the Helvellyn ridge.

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Icing sugar coating on the summit of Pillar.

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Clear as far as the eye can see.

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Frozen trig. column.

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Pillar Rock below and the High Stile ridge across Ennerdale.

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A panoramic view from Pillar.

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The desolate summit of Pillar. I never saw another soul nor even another footprint for the whole walk.

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Looking north across the Solway Firth to Scotland.

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Just beautiful on Pillar.

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Casper and Dougal on Pillar - now where did we put that hair?

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The descent to Wind Gap.

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Mosedale - this was the route of descent later.

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Steeple across Mirk Cove.

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Looking back to Pillar from Scoat Fell.

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Big snowdrift on the summit of Scoat Fell.

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Haycock and Caw Fell, the Isle of Man visible on the horizon.

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At the top of the ridge to Steeple - so near yet so far. The path looked treacherous and I didn't fancy putting crampons on for such a short section so gave it a miss today.

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Red Pike from Scoat Fell.

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The Scafells from Scoat Fell.

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The boys are wondering where I am rather than lagging behind me - the route of descent is the scree run to the right.

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It was an amazingly quick route of descent down this scree run.

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Kirk Fell.

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The Y Boulder in Mosedale...

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...and the Abrahams photo of some early bouldering on the Y Boulder.

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Looking back into Mosedale.

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Mosedale Beck.

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The Scafells across Wast Water.

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The classic view.

Mosedale Horseshoe

Walked on 03/02/2009

Start point: Wasdale Head (NY 187 088)

Wasdale Head – Black Sails Pass – Looking Stead – Pillar – Wind Gap – Black Crag (Pillar) – Scoat Fell – Steeple – Red Pike – Dore Head Screes – Wasdale Head

Distance: 8 miles     Total Ascent: 1130 metres     Time Taken: 5 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Cold and clear. 2°C.

Everywhere else in the country has lots of snow according to the news but locally there is not a great deal at valley level. The high ground is well covered and today defied the expected conditions and was lovely and clear over Mosedale almost throughout the walk. I have had this one on the list of ‘to do’s’ for a while as I really wanted to get to Pillar, my favourite of all fells, in superb winter conditions such as today.

Mosedale Horseshoe

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Sunset in Wasdale.

 

Mosedale Horseshoe

Walked on 19/03/2008

Overbeck Bridge (NY 168 068)

Overbeck Bridge – Bell Rib – Great Door – Yewbarrow – Dore Head – Red Pike – Scoat Fell – Steeple – Black Crag (Pillar)  – Pillar –Looking Stead – Black Sails Pass – Wasdale Head – Overbeck Bridge

Distance: 10.6 miles     Total Ascent: 1313 metres     Time Taken: 5 hours 15 minutes

Weather: Clear and sunny. 8oC.

It was fantastically clear today with views for miles and miles. Certainly this is one of my favourite walks, it being quite arduous and rough at all times. Coupled with a visit to Pillar, my absolute favourite fell it made for a great day out on the high fells.

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Over Beck.

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Yewbarrow from Overbeck Bridge.

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Casper waits further up the steep climb - come on!

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Red Pike from the climb to Yewbarrow.

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Middle Fell.

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Always a wow moment popping up at Great Door.

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Lingmell, Scafell Pike and Scafell at the head of Wasdale.

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Wast Water and The Screes, Burnmoor Tarn to the left.

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Kirk Fell and Great Gable from the South Top of Yewbarrow.

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The Screes from higher up.

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The Scafells from Yewbarrow.

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Casperoonals on the North Top of Yewbarrow.

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Sty Head above Wasdale.

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Red Pike across Dore Head.

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Kirk Fell and Great Gable, Mosedale below from the rough descent from Yewbarrow to Dore Head.

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Wasdale Head.

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Pillar above Mosedale. Even I make it onto this photo!

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Red Pike across Dore Head Tarn.

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Looking the other way to Kirk Fell and Great Gable.

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The Chair is a prominent cairn at the southern end of Red Pike.

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The Prince of the Fells on his throne! Below is Low Tarn with Middle Fell and Seatallan beyond.

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Haycock across Scoat Tarn.

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The view from The Chair is magnificent.

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Scoat Fell and Red Pike up to the right.

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Close-up on The Scafells.

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Casper enjoys the view from Red Pike into Mosedale.

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The Isle of Man across the Irish Sea.

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Scoat Fell from the summit of Red Pike

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The rocky climb to Scoat Fell

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Steeple

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Looking to Pillar and Black Crag from the traverse to Steeple

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Steeple summit

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Ennerdale water and the Scottish hills beyond from Steeple

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Blencathra

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Scoat Fell summit cairn is on top of the wall ahead.

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Looking back to Steeple from Black Crag

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Ennerdale

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Wind Gap and the ascent to Pillar

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Pillar summit

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Victory roll for Casper on top of Pillar

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Deserted Pillar

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Skiddaw and the North Western Fells from Pillar

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The mighty Pillar Rock

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Mono Scafells, Great Gable and Kirk Fell

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Looking back to Pillar from the decent to Looking Stead

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Looking Stead cairn and the High Stile ridge

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Tarn at Looking Stead

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Reflected Pillar from Looking Stead

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Descending Black Sails pass beside Gatherstone Beck

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Mosedale

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Row Bridge, Wasdale

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The steep face of Kirk Fell

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The Scafells

Pillar

Walked on 22/08/2007

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.

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.

Pillar

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Early morning light on Crag Fell over Ennerdale Water

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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Ennerdale from the climb.

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

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Casper eyes up Pillar Rock - gulp!

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Pillar Rock.

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Pillar Rock - High Man.

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High Stile across Ennerdale.

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

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Up there Dad?

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

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

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

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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.

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Skiddaw and Blencathra over Robinson and Hindscarth.

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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.

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Descending to Wind Gap looking to Red Pike.

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

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Casper demonstrates how Wind Gap got its name!

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The east face of Steeple from Black Crag.

22.08.07-135

Looking back to Pillar.

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Negotiating the shattered rocks on Scoat Fell.

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

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

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Ennerdale Water from the summit of Steeple.

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Looking across Ennerdale to Skiddaw in the distance from Steeple.

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Ennerdale Water from Steeple.

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Great Borne and Starling Dodd across Ennerdale.

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Ennerdale Water from the descent of Lingmell.

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

Mosedale Horseshoe

Walked on 04/05/2006

Start point: Overbeck Bridge (NY 168 068)

Overbeck Bridge – Bell Rib – Great Door – Yewbarrow – Dore Head – Red Pike – Scoat Fell – Steeple –Black Crag (Pillar)  – Pillar – Looking Stead – Black Sails Pass –  Kirk Fell – Wasdale Head – Overbeck Bridge

Distance: 11.6 miles     Total Ascent: 2454 metres     Time Taken: 6 hours

Weather: Sultry, but very windy on the latter tops. 24oC.

It was a funny old day today, weather-wise. When I set off from Overbeck Bridge, it was raining and showers continued over Yewbarrow with the odd ominous rumble of thunder. When the rain stopped, it became very hazy and warm and by the time I got to Pillar it was sunny, but with gale force winds which were present until I got back to valley level where it became almost unbearably hot. Angus and Casper were resplendent with new summer haircuts – it takes years off Angus, I think. It was quite an arduous round this one – a new one for Casper as it was very rocky with a few scrambles, Angus of course, took it all in his stride.

01 Mosedale-Horseshoe

04.05.06-001

Wet Wasdale and Wast Waster at the beginning of the ascent of Yewbarrow.

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The climb up to Yewbarrow - who is that dog?

04.05.06-009

Heading for the screes up to Yewbarrow.

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...and looking back down the scree path.

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Looking down Great Door - everything else in lost in the sultry haze.

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A couple of racing snakes on Yewbarrow. Are you a bit warm boys?

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Red Pike across Dore Head.

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Kirk Fell from Dore Head, Great Gable behind.

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Angus tries out the famous cairn and viewpoint on Red Pike known as 'The Chair'. It looks like a big armchair made from stones - here the view is over Low Tarn to Middle Fell and Seatallan.

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Haycock over Scoat Tarn.

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Pillar from Red Pike.

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Looking from Red Pike's summit to Scoat Fell.

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Now here's a dog with taste - Casper has a look at Steeple from Scoat Fell.

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Two cairns on Scoat Fell, the main one being the one on the wall.

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Pillar and Black Crag from Steeple.

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Steeple across Mirk Cove.

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A bit of sunshine on Pillar, taken from Black Crag.

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Pillar summit looking to Great Gable.

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Pillar Rock. It was gale force winds from Pillar onwards - at least it was a warm wind!

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High Crag and High Stile across Ennerdale.

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Kirk Fell and Great Gable across one of the tarns on Looking Stead.

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Pillar and Looking Stead across another un-named tarn.

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Great Gable from Kirk Fell.

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A hazy view of Yewbarrow from the steep, steep descent of Kirk Fell.

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Wasdale Head.

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The head of Wasdale from the descent of Kirk Fell.

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The path used in descent from Kirk Fell.

04.05.06-137

Lingmell, Scafell Pike and Scafell from Wast Water.

Ennerdale Circuit

Walked on 09/05/2005

Start point: Bleach Green, Ennerdale (NY 085 153)

Bleach Green – Bowness – Brown How (Ennerdale) – Herdus – Great Borne – Gale Fell – Starling Dodd – Little Dodd (Ennerdale) –  Red Pike (Buttermere) (357) – High Stile (358) – High Crag (359) – Haystacks (360) –  Looking Stead – High Level Traverse – Shamrock Traverse – Pillar – Black Crag (Pillar) – Scoat Fell – Steeple – Haycock – Little Gowder Crag – Caw Fell – Ennerdale Fell – Crag Fell – Bleach Green

Distance: 23.6 miles     Total Ascent: 2864 metres     Time Taken: 10 hour 20 minutes

Weather: Mainly sunny with lots of snow (!) showers. 7-11°C, valley level – much colder on the tops.

Today’s walk is a long, high level circuit of the beautiful Ennerdale Valley with virtually the whole route being completed at an elevation in excess of 500m. I have had this one on my list of ‘to do’ walks for a while so it was satisfying to complete the walk on a mainly clear day. The photo’s here actually belie the conditions somewhat as the clouds came in when I was crossing from Haystacks to Pillar and there was an icy blizzard. The snow showers continued to come and go throughout the rest of the walk and conditions remained very cold.

Ennerdale Circuit

Ennerdale Circuit route map.

Ennerdale Circuit - 9th May 002

An early morning silhouette of Ennerdale.

Ennerdale Circuit - panorama2

The sunlight on Crag Fell.

Ennerdale Circuit - 9th May 020

A good view from Red Pike of the round completed last Thursday.

Ennerdale Circuit - 9th May 023

Crummock Water from Red Pike.

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High Snockrigg and Robinson over Buttermere with Bleaberry Tarn in the foreground.

Ennerdale Circuit - panorama3

Looking from High Stile across Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike to Mellbreak and Crummock Water. Loweswater is visible in the distance.

Ennerdale Circuit - 9th May 041

The sun lights up Pillar Rock across Ennerdale on the north face of Pillar - from High Crag.

Ennerdale Circuit - panorama4

Ennerdale Circuit - 9th May 048

Fleetwith Pike and Dale Head from High Crag.

Ennerdale Circuit - panorama6

High Crag from Haystacks with Ennerdale to the left and the Buttermere Valley to the right.

Ennerdale Circuit - 9th May 062

Green Gable, Great Gable and Kirk Fell at the head of Ennerdale from Haystacks. The clouds were ominously creeping up behind me now and minutes later this view was obliterated by a blizzard.

Ennerdale Circuit2 - 9th May 001

Thankfully it had cleared up again by the time I reached the High Level Traverse of Pillar. This is a view of Pillar Rock from Pillar.

Ennerdale Circuit2 - 9th May 009

Ennerdale Circuit2 - 9th May 012

The east face of Steeple from Black Crag.

Ennerdale Circuit2 - 9th May 018

Steeple again, from Scoat Fell across Mirk Cove.

Ennerdale Circuit2 - 9th May 021

Pillar from Steeple. Steeple is a lofty, airy pinnacle and it's shape makes it feel as though you are in mid-air - one of my favourites.

Ennerdale Circuit2 - 9th May 025

Steeple, Pillar and Scoat Fell from Haycock.

Ennerdale Circuit2 - 9th May 028

The barren Caw Fell from Little Gowder Crag.

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Pillar, Scoat Fell, Little Gowder Crag and Haycock from Caw Fell.

Ennerdale Circuit - panorama8_small

Ennerdale from Crag Fell.

Pillar

Walked on 21/10/2004

Start point: Wasdale Head (NY 187 088)

Wasdale Head – Black Sails Pass – Looking Stead (192) – High Level Traverse – Shamrock Traverse – Pillar (193) – Black Crag (Pillar) (194) – Scoat Fell (195) – Steeple (196) – Red Pike (197) – Wasdale Head

Weather: Wind, sleet, snow, hail, rain – you name it!

The intention of today’s walk was to ascend Pillar Rock, a climb I have done previously, however the weather conspired against me climbing it today – I made it half way up the ‘notch’ before the treacherous conditions made me see sense and retreat back to the slab. Phil, my walking partner,  managed to make it. No fear! The rest of the walk was beset with bad weather with the first snow of winter seen on Pillar and a howling gale with painful (!) hailstones on the high level walk.

Pillar

21st October - Pillar 002

Mosedale at the start of the walk; a sprinkling of snow on the tops.

21st October - Pillar 004

Dore Head and the screes used in the final descent.

21st October - Pillar 006

The High Stile Ridge from the summit of Looking Stead.

21st October - Pillar 018

Pillar Rock from the high level traverse. See below for the annotated version of this photo.

21st October - Pillar 018 annotated

21st October - Pillar 019

Plaque on Robinson's Cairn.

21st October - Pillar 020

Great Borne and Starling Dodd from Robinson's Cairn.

21st October - Pillar 026

Climbing the 'slab and notch' route - I didn't make it past where Phil is on this photo.

21st October - Pillar 027

Another view of Pillar Rock - the steeply angled - and treacherous - slab can be seen towards the bottom of the photo with the notch below the final pyramidal shape on the right.

21st October - Pillar 029

Pillar Rock from the ascent to Pillar.

21st October - Pillar 031

Pillar summit - the first snow of the winter.

21st October - Pillar 036

A misty and murky couple of cairns, Black Crag and Scoat Fell respectively.

21st October - Pillar 037

21st October - Pillar 041

Sitting on The Chair on Red Pike.

21st October - Pillar 046

Mosedale from Dore Head.

21st October - Pillar 053

An RAF mountain rescue helicopter takes off from Wasdale Head.

Pillar 3D

Walking Diary

  • The Mosedale Horseshoe 01/03/2022
  • Caw 18/01/2022
  • Coniston sunset 17/01/2022
  • Blencathra 15/01/2022
  • Scafell Pike 14/01/2022

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