Red Screes

Walked on 27/05/2015

Start point: Kirkstone Pass (NY 401 080)

Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass

Distance: 1.4 miles Total Ascent: 330 metres Time Taken: 35 minutes Start Time: 10:50

Weather: Dull and cool, 14°C

Time for a quick walk this morning but the weather was not too kind…or too summery at all this morning!

Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass.

On the summit of Red Screes - 20 minutes to get here according to the camera.

Fletcher and Dougal enjoying the run out.

The summit tarn.

Looking down on the Kirkstone Pass Inn.

The steep way down - and a glimpse of Windermere.

Red Screes

Height: 776 metres / 2546 feet Grid reference: NY 39649 08767 Category: The Eastern Fells

The summit of Red Screes

The summit tarn

Red Screes from the Kirkstone Pass road

Red Screes

Walked on 03/03/2014

Start Point: Kirkstone Pass (NY 401 080)

Red Screes via Kilnshaw Chimney from Kirkstone Pass

Distance: 1.3 miles Total Ascent: 342 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 16:40

Weather: Sunny, 6°C

You have to seize the opportunity when you can…so I did. A bit of a lung buster, but could I make it to the top of Red Screes before sunset? Well, I gave it a go climbing via Kilnshaw Chimney which is just about the most direct route you can get to any summit. This will be a Trail route in the June edition of the magazine.

Note: Kilnshaw Chimney requires a couple of climbs so be aware plus it is usually running with water so expect to get wet and of course it is slippery. Don’t bother in winter unless you have all the necessary gear.

The eastern face of Red Screes is into the shadows already

Kirkstone Pass from the scree

A steep climb

Red Scree

Looking from the base of Kilnshaw Chimney

Onwards and upwards

Windermere from the chimney exit - the actual climb of the chimney took 15 minutes

Just made it - Red Screes summit

Wow, it was just gorgeous and well worth the effort to see the dying embers of the day, alone on Red Screes

Long shadows across Middle Dodd and Patterdale

The north-west face of Red Screes doesn't get much sun in winter

Setting sun - the cloud capped fell is Coniston Old Man, the central pyramid is Harter Fell

Mono Ill Bell and the end of the day

Red Screes via Kilnshaw Chimney

Walked on 14/06/2011

Start point: Kirkstone Pass (NY 401 080)

Kirkstone Pass – Kilnshaw Chimney – Red Screes – Smallthwaite Band – Middle Dodd – Kirkstone Pass

Distance: 2.4 miles Total Ascent: 480 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes Start Time: 11:10

Weather: Beautiful sunshine. 18°C

Out of the blue almost, a perfect summer day at last. I managed a relatively quick scramble up to Red Screes via Kilnshaw Chimney (note – it’s a scramble up that way, not a walk) and then headed out to Middle Dodd. It was a perfect day to be on the fells today, not too hot, not too cold but just right (a Goldilocks day?!).

Red Screes route map.

Red Screes.

Dogs a-blur looking for Kilnshaw Chimney.

Which way do you think?

At the foot of the Chimney - who put those flamin' nettles there?

Dougal leads the way closely followed by Casper.

Mono view from Kilnshaw Chimney.

The view from the top.

Windermere.

It's gone a bit cloudy now on the top of Red Screes.

A panoramic view from the summit.

Looking west to the Coniston fells over the summit tarn and wind shelter.

Looking towards Helvellyn from the summit.

They were queuing up to get to Middle Dodd down Smallthwaite Band today...well, those two were anyway.

Looking back to Red Screes.

Sunshine once more on Middle Dodd.

Casper and Dougal on Middle Dodd, Place Fell and Brothers Water beyond.

Middle Dodd panorama.

St. Sunday and Helvellyn from Middle Dodd.

Heading back to Red Screes.

Looking back to Middle Dodd from the climb back up to Red Screes.

Caudale Moor from Red Screes.

Looking the other way, to Ill Bell.

The Ill Bell ridge from the tarn just below the summit.

The Kirkstone Inn looks busy below looking to Wansfell and Windermere.

Red Screes from the car park.

The Kirk Stone.

Kirkstone Pass. Later, on the way home...

Loughrigg Tarn.

The Langdale Pikes and the Langdale Boulders.

Bog Cotton at Blea Tarn.

Blea Tarn.

Red Screes via Kilnshaw Chimney

Walked on 01/02/2011

Start point: Kirkstone Pass (NY 401 080)

Red Screes via Kilnshaw Chimney from Kirkstone Pass

Distance: 1.3 miles Total Ascent: 342 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 10:50

Weather: Warmer with sunny spells. 8°C

After a dull start the day seemed to brighten for a while and I had a climb to Red Screes using the direct route via Kilnshaw Chimney. This is a great way to ascend quickly but care must be taken in winter conditions – the chimney was full of ice and snow today. The exit from it is very near to the summit and if you like a scramble it is well worth a go.

Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass.

The location of Kilnshaw Chimney.

Looking across to Caudale Moor from the climb.

At the foot of Kilnshaw Chimney.

The scree section is steep.

Looking back down the scree.

The Kirkstone Pass road far below from the opening to the chimney.

Casper leads the way up the icy climb.

The top section of Kilnshaw Chimney.

Almost at the top.

Kilnshaw Chimney, looking down from the top.

The exit from Kilnshaw Chimney is a stones throw from the summit. Those two are looking for a drink but they will find no joy in this frozen pool.

The approach to the summit. Dougal is ahead whilst Casper has found a patch of snow to roll around in to the left!

Red Screes.

Casper and Dougal on the icy summit.

Brothers Water and beyond.

Cloudy over Fairfield.

Place Fell beyond Brothers Water and Middle Dodd.

The beacon on Thornthwaite Crag.

Dougal checks out Middle Dodd.

Looking back to the summit.

Icy summit tarn reflections.

A sunny spell on Red Screes.

Caudale Moor.

Close up on Caudale.

Wansfell and Windermere from the descent with the Kirkstone Pass road to the left and The Struggle to the right.

Back at the foot of Red Screes.

Red Screes

Walked on 23/02/2010

Start point: Kirkstone Pass (NY 401 080)

Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass

Distance: 1.4 miles Total Ascent: 330 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: High cloud but clear, 0°C

Today was different from yesterday as there was no sunshine although it was trying to burn through the high cloud. It was cold up there with strong gusts of wind and the path was icily treacherous in places.

Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass.

Winter sun over the Kirkstone Pass.

On the path to Red Screes Dougal and Casper have a play in the snow.

Some sections were quite tricky and a climb over ice covered snow.

'Well, I can make it' says Dougal. Unfortunately I couldn't, so I had to stop here to put crampons on.

Looking back at the line of approach through the deep snow.

The summit of Red Screes.

Casper and Dougal look northwards over Middle Dodd to Brothers Water and Place Fell with Ullswater beyond.

Another snowy mountain day for these two.

Comparing footwear.

It looks a bit clearer to the north and there seems to be a lot less snow about.

Looking back to the summit.

Born Free. Dougal has a romp in the snow, I don't think he realises he is on the summit tarn!

A touch of blue sky looking back to the summit from the middle of the tarn.

Wansfell and Windermere.

Looking over to Caudale Moor and the far eastern fells.

Up close and personal on Caudale Moor with Thornthwaite Beacon on the skyline to the right and High Street beyond.

A panoramic view from Red Screes. select on the image to see a larger version.

The Kentmere fells.

Keep your hair on Dougal! There was a mighty cold wind up here today.

Windermere and spindrift.

Casper looks for our car.

Ill Bell and Kentmere Pike.

The sky over the south Lakes.

Red Screes

Walked on 04/12/2009

Start point: Kirkstone Pass (NY 401 080)

Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass

Distance: 1.4 miles Total Ascent: 330 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Cold and overcast. 2ºC

The brighter weather seemed to be to the east today though I never managed to quite catch it. Down in Bowness it was lovely and sunny but on the higher ground it was a different story, all frozen and cold. I had a look at Kilnshaw Chimney but knew it would be too much for Dougal at the moment – we did manage to catch it a bit higher up and crossed over it. These ‘in between’ sort of conditions are quite treacherous with the bare rock being very slippery with lots of ice. On the way down someone gave me a five minute lecture about the dangers of fell walking in winter and how treacherous it was, so thanks for that – I must have looked like a newcomer to the fells!

Red Screes route map.

Red Screes from the top of Kirkstone Pass. Kilnshaw Chimney is the white band running down the centre - I had a look but it would be too much for Dougal at the moment.

Sunrise over the Kirkstone Pass Inn.

Casper sorts out a route for us!

Crossing one of the scree gullys.

Kilnshaw Chimney.

Red scree on Red Screes.

Cloud and sun.

The cold looking summit of Red Screes.

Casper sets up camp in the wind shelter on the summit, the frozen tarn and Windermere in view.

Middle Dodd and Brothers Water from the summit.

Casper and Dougal hang on for dear life.

The view thought the low cloud to Place Fell. Looks like Dougal is taking shelter over there.

The frozen Red Screes Tarn and summit.

Windermere glowing in the distance.

Froswick and Ill Bell.

A ray of sunshine over Wansfell.

Raven Crag...brr!

Dougal and Casper check the route back.

Red Screes

Walked on 10/12/2008

Start point: Kirkstone Pass (NY 401 080)

Kirkstone Pass – Red Screes – Smallthwaite Band – Middle Dodd – Kirkstone Pass

Distance: 2.4 miles Total Ascent: 480 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny spells, icy wind. 3ºC.

It is four years since I have been up Red Screes so I thought it was high time I paid a visit again, similarly with Middle Dodd. Of course, I should really have come here a week or two ago when I went to Hart Crag but the weather was ferocious and put me off that day. What a day today though, fantastic clarity and views.

Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass.

Climbing the path to Red Screes.

Icicles.

Raven Crag.

Looking back down the climb, the Kirkstone Pass road below.

Wonder where Red Screes got its name? This is the steep climb to the top.

Looking back from the top of the scree run with a glimpse of Windermere.

Caudale Moor from the summit plateau.

The summit of Red Screes.

All clear to the west over the frozen summit tarn.

In fact, clear everywhere here looking towards Helvellyn.

The summit of Red Screes.

The Scafells.

The Coniston fells.

Casper has a look at Wansfell and Windermere.

Stunning visibility on the summit.

Sunlight on the tarn.

Smallthwaite Band leading to Middle Dodd with Brothers Water and Place Fell beyond.

Caudale Moor and High Street.

Brothers Water, Place Fell and Angletarn Pikes beyond Middle Dodd.

The Helvellyn range from Middle Dodd.

It was really windy on the tops again today, as modelled by Casper.

Heading back to Red Screes from Middle Dodd.

Back on the summit.

The view to England's finest.

Caudale Moor and the Kirkstone Pass road beneath.

The Kent Estuary glowing bright in the sunshine.

The Kirkstone Pass Inn and the car park.

Red Screes from the Kirkstone Pass road.

Red Screes

Walked on 06/12/2004

Start point: Bottom of Kirkstone Pass (NY 402 113)

Kirkstone Pass – Middle Dodd (237) – Smallthwaite Band – Red Screes (238) – Scandale Pass – Little Hart Crag (239) – High Hartsop Dodd (240) – Kirkstone Pass

Weather: Dull, overcast – rain and strong wind on the tops.

Today’s walk is a steep ascent up to Middle Dodd and Red Screes from the bottom of Kirkstone Pass, across the Scandale Pass and a lovely ridge walk from Little Hart Crag to Hartsop Dodd, then a steep descent back to Kirkstone Pass. The weather wasn’t brilliant again today but the high winds meant that there was the odd clearing of the mist to give fleeting glimpses of a view.