Striding Edge

A photo diary of Lake District fell walks

  • Walks
  • Fells
    • Wainwrights
      • Eastern Fells
      • Far Eastern Fells
      • Central Fells
      • Southern Fells
      • Northern Fells
      • North Western Fells
      • Western Fells
      • Outlying Fells
    • Birketts
  • Dogs
  • Love The Lakes
  • Contact

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.

DSC9435

Great Gable from Wasdale Head.

DSC9437

The long and winding road into Mosedale.

DSC9439

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

DSC9440

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

DSC9443

Climbing high above Mosedale now.

DSC9444

High Stile and High Crag across Ennerdale.

DSC9445

Wasdale Head from the climb to Pillar.

DSC9447

The ridge walk to the top.

DSC9448

The eastern crags of Red Pike.

DSC9453

The approach to Pillar.

DSC9454

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

DSC9455

...and to the north.

DSC9456

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

DSC9458

Looking down on Pillar Rock.

DSC9459

Ennerdale Water.

DSC9460

Patches of snow remain on the highest areas.

DSC9461

Pillar.

DSC9464

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

DSC9465

On Black Crag.

DSC9468

Steeple and shadows.

DSC9470

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

DSC9472-2

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

DSC9476

Looking across to Pillar and Black Crag from Steeple.

DSC9477

Today's lunch spot view.

DSC9479

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

DSC9480

Great Gable above Kirk Fell.

DSC9483

Middle Fell and Seatallan across Scoat Tarn.

DSC9486

Approaching the summit of Red Pike.

DSC9488

On the edge - the summit cairn of Red Pike.

DSC9495

Wasdale Head.

DSC9507

Fletcher on his throne - The Chair on Red Pike.

DSC9511

Wast Water and Low Tarn from The Chair.

DSC9526

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

DSC9527

Pillar from Dore Head.

DSC9530

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.

DSC9532

Back down to earth in Mosedale.

DSC9534

The head of Wasdale resplendent in sunshine.

DSC9535

The classic view on the road out of Wasdale.

Scoat Fell

Height: 841 metres / 2759 feet Grid reference: NY 15940 11384 Category: The Western Fells

The true summit of Scoat Fell is taken to be the cairn which stands atop the highest point, on the wall which runs along it.

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

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

 Descending Pillar to Wind Gap up to Black Crag then continuing to Scoat Fell with Steeple to the right.

Descending Pillar to Wind Gap up to Black Crag then continuing to Scoat Fell with Steeple to the right.

Scoat Fell snow

Scoat Fell snow

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.

01 Pillar.JPG

P8244628

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

P8244631

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

P8244635

Climbing Pillar the steep way.

P8244637

At Robinson's Cairn.

P8244643

Robinson's Cairn.

P8244647-Edit

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

P8244659

Damp Dougal Doo.

P8244660

Pillar summit.

P8244667

Clearing mist over Scoat Fell.

P8244669

Heading for Steeple along the arête.

P8244674

Out of the mist on the descent of Steeple.

P8244682

Red Pike and High Stile across Ennerdale.

P8244684

Pillar and Windgap Cove.

P8244685

Looking back up to Steeple from the descent.

P8244689

Pillar is almost free of cloud now.

P8244690

Steeple and the Long Crag ridge used in descent.

P8244692

The steep way back to Ennerdale.

P8244697

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. 

Ennerdale

Ennerdale circuit route map.

28.06.11-009

Early morning in Ennerdale.

28.06.11-013

Pillar silhouetted at the head of the Water.

28.06.11-016

Crag Fell.

28.06.11-027

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

28.06.11-034

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

28.06.11-036

Gavel Fell from Great Borne.

28.06.11-042

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

28.06.11-050

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

28.06.11-052

Grasmoor across Crummock Water.

28.06.11-053

Any old iron? Starling Dodd summit.

28.06.11-058

Layers of fells.

28.06.11-068

Early morning shadow on Little Dodd.

28.06.11-074

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

28.06.11-077

The summit of Red Pike.

28.06.11-081_stitch

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

28.06.11-086

Casper and Dougal, hot already.

28.06.11-090

Bleaberry Tarn and beyond on the way to High Stile.

28.06.11-093

High Stile summit.

28.06.11-094

Ennerdale Water.

28.06.11-100_stitch

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

28.06.11-104

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

28.06.11-113

A panoramic across Ennerdale.

28.06.11-114

Robinson across Buttermere.

28.06.11-117

Pillar looks so tempting from here.

28.06.11-118

Grasmoor and the Coledale fells across Buttermere.

28.06.11-121

High Stile from the summit of High Crag.

28.06.11-126

A view through to Skiddaw and Blencathra from High Crag.

28.06.11-136

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.

28.06.11-131

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

28.06.11-138

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

28.06.11-149

Down at the Memorial Bridge.

28.06.11-146

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

28.06.11-141

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...

28.06.11-152

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.

28.06.11-155

Ennerdale and the fells just walked.

28.06.11-159

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

28.06.11-168

Magnificent Pillar Rock.

28.06.11-172

Haystacks with Robinson's Cairn bottom right.

28.06.11-176

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

28.06.11-182

High Stile panoramic.

28.06.11-199

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

28.06.11-204

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

28.06.11-209

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

28.06.11-212

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

28.06.11-213

The summit of Pillar.

28.06.11-221

Ennerdale from Pillar.

28.06.11-225

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

28.06.11-227

Looking back to Pillar from Black Crag.

28.06.11-229

The east face of Steeple from Black Crag.

28.06.11-231

Red Pike - the Wasdale one.

28.06.11-232

Scoat Fell summit and a couple of StridingEdge fans ahead.

28.06.11-234

Pillar from Scoat Fell.

28.06.11-236

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

28.06.11-239

Pillar and Great Gable from Steeple.

28.06.11-242

Ennerdale Water.

28.06.11-244

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

28.06.11-245

Heading for Haycock.

28.06.11-263

Steeple and Scoat Fell from the summit of Haycock.

28.06.11-265

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

28.06.11-269

Caw Fell.

28.06.11-275

Haycock from Caw Fell where we met some Beardie fans!

28.06.11-276

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

28.06.11-279

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

28.06.11-285

The long walk in following the Ennerdale Fence.

28.06.11-295

Crag Fell.

28.06.11-301

An Ennerdale panoramic from Crag Fell.

28.06.11-313

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.

 

pillar

Mosedale Round route map.

10.11.10-012

First light at the head of Mosedale.

10.11.10-017

The fell tops are on fire.

10.11.10-021_stitch

Sunrise panoramic.

10.11.10-039

Red Pike looking...red.

10.11.10-046

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.

10.11.10-056

Pillar from Looking Stead.

10.11.10-058

Yewbarrow and beyond from the climb to Pillar.

10.11.10-061

Scoat Fell, Black Crag and Pillar.

10.11.10-062

The route to Pillar.

10.11.10-065

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

10.11.10-070

Looking across Ennerdale to distant Skiddaw and Blencathra.

10.11.10-073

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

10.11.10-077

Beautiful landscape on the way to Pillar.

10.11.10-083

Clear as anything looking across to the Helvellyn ridge.

10.11.10-085

Icing sugar coating on the summit of Pillar.

10.11.10-088

Clear as far as the eye can see.

10.11.10-090

Frozen trig. column.

10.11.10-092

Pillar Rock below and the High Stile ridge across Ennerdale.

10.11.10-099s

A panoramic view from Pillar.

10.11.10-104

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

10.11.10-108

Looking north across the Solway Firth to Scotland.

10.11.10-113

Just beautiful on Pillar.

10.11.10-117

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

10.11.10-124

The descent to Wind Gap.

10.11.10-127

Mosedale - this was the route of descent later.

10.11.10-132

Steeple across Mirk Cove.

10.11.10-136

Looking back to Pillar from Scoat Fell.

10.11.10-143

Big snowdrift on the summit of Scoat Fell.

10.11.10-148

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

10.11.10-150

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.

10.11.10-152

Red Pike from Scoat Fell.

10.11.10-153

The Scafells from Scoat Fell.

10.11.10-154

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

10.11.10-157

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

10.11.10-164

Kirk Fell.

10.11.10-170

The Y Boulder in Mosedale...

BowderdaleBoulder2

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

10.11.10-172

Looking back into Mosedale.

10.11.10-173

Mosedale Beck.

10.11.10-178

The Scafells across Wast Water.

10.11.10-184

The classic view.

Steeple

Walked on 02/03/2010

Start point: Overbeck Bridge (NY 168 068)

Overbeck Bridge – Over Beck – Dore Head – Red Pike – Scoat Fell – Steeple – Scoat Tarn – Nether Beck – Overbeck Bridge

Distance: 8.2 miles     Total Ascent: 930 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Absolute clarity, 7C

Wow, what a day it was – the clarity was superb with views for miles and miles today. There was a fresh covering of snow on the fells overnight but even so it was really warm in the sunshine – I ended up with a decent tan!

Steeple

Steeple route map.

02.03.10-001

Bell Rib on Yewbarrow - we're not going that way today but we are going round to the left along Over Beck.

02.03.10-013

Red Pike and Yewbarrow.

02.03.10-014

Middle Fell.

02.03.10-018

Once into the sunshine it was really quite warm.

02.03.10-026

There is a fresh dusting of snow on this side of Red Pike.

02.03.10-028

Wainwright's 'buttresses of a vanished bridge, Brimfull Beck' which has now been rebuilt.

02.03.10-034

Dore Head from Gosforth Crag Moss.

02.03.10-039

Looking back across the Moss to the route just ascended with a glimpse of Wast Water.

02.03.10-041

Pillar from frozen Dore Head Tarn.

02.03.10-043

The route to Red Pike.

02.03.10-045

Looking to Wasdale Head.

02.03.10-050

Stirrup Crag, Yewbarrow.

02.03.10-065

Kirk Fell and Great Gable with Great End to the right.

02.03.10-086

What a view today from the climb to Red Pike, absolutely superb clarity.

02.03.10-090

The Chair on Red Pike, Middle Fell and Seatallan in view.

02.03.10-093

A rite of passage for Dougal as he is crowned the new 'Prince of the Fells' on The Chair.

02.03.10-101

Looking down on frozen Low Tarn.

02.03.10-103

The Scafells.

02.03.10-107

Heading for the top of Red Pike.

02.03.10-110

Looking back to The Chair.

02.03.10-117

A wonderful view of the eastern fells from Red Pike.

02.03.10-127

Looking the other way to the Scafells.

02.03.10-135

Dougal and Casper on the summit.

RPpan_t

A panoramic view from Red Pike.

02.03.10-138

Walking the Red Pike ridge.

02.03.10-145

Looking back to Red Pike from the climb to Scoat Fell, the lone figure to the right was the first of two people I saw today.

02.03.10-148

The top of Scoat Fell with deep snow drifts.

02.03.10-152

Scoat Fell summit.

02.03.10-158

Pillar from Scoat Fell.

02.03.10-162

Heading for Steeple but someone has beaten me there this morning - he gave a cheery wave before heading down into Ennerdale.

02.03.10-164

Pillar and Black Crag across Mirk Cove.

02.03.10-169

The view from Steeple. I did think here that if I only could do one more walk, it would include all the fells walked today and probably in the same conditions.

02.03.10-173

Ennerdale Water and a clear view across the Solway Firth to Scotland. There seems to be a lot less snow to the north.

02.03.10-176

Casper on Steeple - 'I like it here too'.

02.03.10-182

The ridge to and from Steeple was a little tricky in places - not for these two mountain goats though.

02.03.10-186

The view over Caw Fell to the Isle of Man and snow topped Snaefell.

02.03.10-188

Great Gable.

02.03.10-191

Lots of snow, lots of fells.

02.03.10-192

Blencathra.

02.03.10-197

Back to Scoat Fell.

02.03.10-200

No need to climb over the wall with snow this deep, here looking to Haycock, the Isle of Man top right.

02.03.10-214

The descent to Scoat Tarn and the clouds are building up over Black Combe now.

02.03.10-224

Seatallan from Scoat Tarn.

02.03.10-228

Scoat Tarn - the route of descent was the prominent band left of centre.

02.03.10-232

Wainwright's 'split boulder, Scoat Tarn'.

02.03.10-237

Nether Beck and Seatallan.

02.03.10-250

A solitary wind blown tree in Nether Beck.

02.03.10-260

A glorious view of the Scafells at the end of the Nether Beck path.

02.03.10-287

Scafell reflections.

Haycock

Walked on 15/09/2009

Start point: Greendale (NY 144 056)

Greendale – Seatallan – Scoat Tarn – Scoat Fell – Haycock – Pots of Ashness – Greendale Tarn – Greendale

Distance: 8.9 miles     Total Ascent: 1130 metres    Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm.19C.

The glorious weather continued today and it ended up being really warm once the breeze died down a bit. This was a walk made up as I went along – I knew I wanted to go to Scoat Tarn as I have walked around it but never been down to it, and to Haycock as I haven’t been there for a while. It ended up as a sort of skinny figure of eight on the map and there seemed to be a lot of ups and downs on this walk and there were certainly no paths to follow for the traverse around to Scoat Tarn.

Haycock

Haycock route map.

15.09.09-011

The path into Greendale. The climb to Seatallan is adjacent to Tongues Gills, the zig-zags across the gill can be seen directly ahead climbing the fell side.

15.09.09-014

Crossing Greendale Gill.

15.09.09-025

Looking back to Greendale from the climb.

15.09.09-026

Buckbarrow

15.09.09-043

Cloud on Great Gable.

15.09.09-045

The Ravenglass Estuary and the River Irt. The cairn in the foreground is on Glade How.

15.09.09-060

That made me jump!

15.09.09-079

Kirk Fell and Great Gable.

15.09.09-081

The Scafells from Seatallan.

15.09.09-085

Making a decision on the route before the descent from Haycock. I decided to contour around to Scoat Tarn nestling below Red Pike, directly above Caper in this photo.

15.09.09-087

Haycock. The grassy rake running diagonally left is the one I used in descent, the path I followed is the faint one form the 'Y' junction to the right.

15.09.09-095

Looking back to Seatallan.

15.09.09-097

Heading towards Red Pike.

15.09.09-105

Passing beneath Haycock.

15.09.09-117

Seatallan from Little Lad Crag.

15.09.09-137

Scoat Tarn.

15.09.09-145

There was a cool breeze blowing here today so I didn't fancy a swim.

15.09.09-151

Seatallan from Scoat Tarn.

15.09.09-163

Red Pike - the summit is tantalisingly close but I must press on.

15.09.09-168

Pillar from Scoat Fell.

15.09.09-169

Steeple.

15.09.09-171

Close up on Steeple.

15.09.09-174

Scoat Fell, the summit cairn along the wall.

15.09.09-175

Steeple is tantalisingly close from here too, but time is against me today.

15.09.09-177

Ennerdale and Ennerdale Water. You are going the wrong way Casper!

15.09.09-185

Heading for Haycock and the deceptive dip between the break in the walls in this photo is much worse than it looks from here. I met the first people I had seen all day on the descent and it was great to meet a couple of StridingEdge fans enjoying the sunshine.

15.09.09-190

Steeple, Scoat Fell and Pillar (just) from Haycock.

15.09.09-192

Looking down on Scoat Tarn with Red Pike above and the Scafells beyond.

15.09.09-194

Middle Fell, Greendale Tarn (the way back for me today) and Seatallan from the top of the descent.

15.09.09-196

Caw Fell on a glorious day.

15.09.09-202

Reflected Haycock.

15.09.09-218

Pots of Ashness.

15.09.09-222

Yewbarrow and the Scafells above Nether Beck.

15.09.09-229

The Scafells.

15.09.09-236

Greendale Tarn.

15.09.09-239

Warm enough for a swim here but the water looked a bit too murky.

15.09.09-246

Greendale Gill.

15.09.09-260

The descent into Wasdale.

15.09.09-261

Autumnal Buckbarrow.

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

03.02.09-027

03.02.09-031

03.02.09-039

03.02.09-067

03.02.09-069

03.02.09-079

03.02.09-083

03.02.09-088

03.02.09-095

03.02.09-106

03.02.09-109

03.02.09-112

03.02.09-114

03.02.09-120

03.02.09-122

03.02.09-125

03.02.09-132

03.02.09-135

03.02.09-139

03.02.09-142

03.02.09-144

03.02.09-153

03.02.09-155

03.02.09-159

03.02.09-167

03.02.09-172

03.02.09-174

03.02.09-201

03.02.09-207

03.02.09-212

03.02.09-222

03.02.09-225

03.02.09-234

03.02.09-239

03.02.09-240

03.02.09-246

03.02.09-248

03.02.09-250

03.02.09-257

03.02.09-260

03.02.09-262

03.02.09-278

03.02.09-281

03.02.09-282

03.02.09-285

03.02.09-288

03.02.09-292

03.02.09-301

03.02.09-305

03.02.09-316

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.

Mosedale

19.03.08-001

Over Beck.

19.03.08-002

Yewbarrow from Overbeck Bridge.

19.03.08-019

Casper waits further up the steep climb - come on!

19.03.08-024

Red Pike from the climb to Yewbarrow.

19.03.08-025

Middle Fell.

19.03.08-027

Always a wow moment popping up at Great Door.

19.03.08-031

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

19.03.08-032

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

19.03.08-037

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

19.03.08-040

The Screes from higher up.

19.03.08-047

The Scafells from Yewbarrow.

19.03.08-053

Casperoonals on the North Top of Yewbarrow.

19.03.08-065

Sty Head above Wasdale.

19.03.08-067

Red Pike across Dore Head.

19.03.08-070

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

19.03.08-071

Wasdale Head.

19.03.08-073

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

19.03.08-082

Red Pike across Dore Head Tarn.

19.03.08-084

Looking the other way to Kirk Fell and Great Gable.

19.03.08-089

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

19.03.08-092

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

19.03.08-097

Haycock across Scoat Tarn.

19.03.08-099

The view from The Chair is magnificent.

19.03.08-103

Scoat Fell and Red Pike up to the right.

19.03.08-107

Close-up on The Scafells.

19.03.08-115

Casper enjoys the view from Red Pike into Mosedale.

19.03.08-121

The Isle of Man across the Irish Sea.

19.03.08-125

Scoat Fell from the summit of Red Pike

19.03.08-138

The rocky climb to Scoat Fell

19.03.08-146

Steeple

19.03.08-156

Looking to Pillar and Black Crag from the traverse to Steeple

19.03.08-160

Steeple summit

19.03.08-163

Ennerdale water and the Scottish hills beyond from Steeple

19.03.08-165

Blencathra

19.03.08-169

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

19.03.08-174

Looking back to Steeple from Black Crag

19.03.08-178

Ennerdale

19.03.08-182

Wind Gap and the ascent to Pillar

19.03.08-185

Pillar summit

19.03.08-190

Victory roll for Casper on top of Pillar

19.03.08-194

Deserted Pillar

19.03.08-196

Skiddaw and the North Western Fells from Pillar

19.03.08-197

The mighty Pillar Rock

19.03.08-200

Mono Scafells, Great Gable and Kirk Fell

19.03.08-205

Looking back to Pillar from the decent to Looking Stead

19.03.08-207

Looking Stead cairn and the High Stile ridge

19.03.08-210

Tarn at Looking Stead

19.03.08-221

Reflected Pillar from Looking Stead

19.03.08-233

Descending Black Sails pass beside Gatherstone Beck

19.03.08-247

Mosedale

19.03.08-256

Row Bridge, Wasdale

19.03.08-262

The steep face of Kirk Fell

19.03.08-266

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

22.08.07-004

Early morning light on Crag Fell over Ennerdale Water

22.08.07-007

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

22.08.07-022

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

22.08.07-023

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

22.08.07-036

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.

22.08.07-042

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.

22.08.07-043

Ennerdale from the climb.

22.08.07-049

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

22.08.07-053

Casper eyes up Pillar Rock - gulp!

22.08.07-057

Pillar Rock.

22.08.07-062

Pillar Rock - High Man.

22.08.07-067

High Stile across Ennerdale.

22.08.07-072

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

22.08.07-075

Up there Dad?

22.08.07-083

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

22.08.07-086

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

22.08.07-087

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

22.08.07-090

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.

22.08.07-098

Skiddaw and Blencathra over Robinson and Hindscarth.

22.08.07-101

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.

22.08.07-109

Descending to Wind Gap looking to Red Pike.

22.08.07-113

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

22.08.07-126

Casper demonstrates how Wind Gap got its name!

22.08.07-131

The east face of Steeple from Black Crag.

22.08.07-135

Looking back to Pillar.

22.08.07-138

Negotiating the shattered rocks on Scoat Fell.

22.08.07-151

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

22.08.07-158

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

22.08.07-161

Ennerdale Water from the summit of Steeple.

22.08.07-169

Looking across Ennerdale to Skiddaw in the distance from Steeple.

22.08.07-177

Ennerdale Water from Steeple.

22.08.07-183

Great Borne and Starling Dodd across Ennerdale.

22.08.07-192

Ennerdale Water from the descent of Lingmell.

22.08.07-196

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.

04.05.06-004

The climb up to Yewbarrow - who is that dog?

04.05.06-009

Heading for the screes up to Yewbarrow.

04.05.06-011

...and looking back down the scree path.

04.05.06-015

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

04.05.06-026

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

04.05.06-038

Red Pike across Dore Head.

04.05.06-044

Kirk Fell from Dore Head, Great Gable behind.

04.05.06-055

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.

04.05.06-063

Haycock over Scoat Tarn.

04.05.06-066

Pillar from Red Pike.

04.05.06-069

Looking from Red Pike's summit to Scoat Fell.

04.05.06-073

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

04.05.06-076

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

04.05.06-078

Pillar and Black Crag from Steeple.

04.05.06-095

Steeple across Mirk Cove.

04.05.06-100

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

04.05.06-104

Pillar summit looking to Great Gable.

04.05.06-108

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

04.05.06-115

High Crag and High Stile across Ennerdale.

04.05.06-119

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

04.05.06-120

Pillar and Looking Stead across another un-named tarn.

04.05.06-127

Great Gable from Kirk Fell.

04.05.06-130

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

04.05.06-132

Wasdale Head.

04.05.06-135

The head of Wasdale from the descent of Kirk Fell.

04.05.06-136

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.

Ennerdale Circuit - 9th May 025

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.

Ennerdale Circuit2 - 9th May 029

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

Haycock

Walked on 26/04/2004

Start point: Wasdale Head (NY 186 088)

Wasdale Head – Black Sail Pass – Looking Stead – Pillar – Scoat Fell – Steeple – Haycock (214) – Red Pike (Wasdale) – Dorehead Screes – Wasdale Head

Weather: Sunny and warm. Generally hazy.

Today’s the day I completed my first round of the Wainwright’s !

haycock

Haycock - 26th April 002

Wast Water reflections.

Haycock - 26th April 003

Haycock - 26th April 006

Dore Head and Dorehead Screes, the eventual descent; below Gatherstone Beck.

Haycock - 26th April 008

Haycock - 26th April 019

Scoat Fell, Black Crag and Steeple.

Haycock - 26th April 021

Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike and Dale Head from the ascent of Pillar.

Haycock - 26th April 022

Haycock visible over Scoat Fell with Caw Fell to the right from Pillar summit.

Haycock - 26th April 024

Pillar Rock.

Haycock - 26th April 032

Haycock from Scoat Fell summit cairn on top of the wall.

Haycock - 26th April 036

Steeple.

Haycock - 26th April 038

Ennerdale Water from Steeple summit.

Haycock - 26th April 044

Steeple with Pillar above Scoat Fell from Haycocks summit.

Haycock - 26th April 051

Cheers - 214 up!

Haycock - 26th April 052

Caw Fell from Haycock.

Haycock - 26th April 056

Scoat Tarn with Burnmoor Tarn in the distance.

Haycock - 26th April 058

Pillar from Red Pike summit.

Haycock - 26th April 064

Seatallan and 'The Chair'.

Haycock - 26th April 067

Four views from The Chair.

Haycock - 26th April 066

Haycock - 26th April 068

Haycock - 26th April 069

Haycock - 26th April 073

Black Sails Pass from the top of Dorehead Screes....

Haycock - 26th April 072

and looking down the screes - yikes!

Haycock - 26th April 005

Ritson's Force.

Pillar

Walked on 08/05/2003

Wasdale Head – Black Sails Pass – Looking Stead – Pillar (18) – Scoat Fell (19) – Steeple (20) – Scoat Fell – Red Pike (Wasdale) (21) – Yewbarrow (22) – Wasdale Head

Black Sail Pass

Looking from Black Sails Pass to Yewbarrow, Illgill Head behind.

Dsc00267

Great Gable.

View of Pillar Rock

Pillar Rock.

Ennerdal Water from Pillar

Ennerdale Water from Steeple

Dsc00276

Wast Water and Low Tarn from Red Pike.

Great Door

The Scafells from Great Door on Yewbarrow.

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

Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Information

  • Striding Edge
  • T&C’s
  • Privacy
  • Links