Height: 333 metres / 1093 feet Grid reference: NY 24058 30392
Skiddaw & The Edges
Start point: Orthwaite Road, near Bassenthwaite (NY 237 311)
Nr.Bassenthwaite – Watches – The Edge – Ullock Pike – Longside Edge – Long Side – Carl Side – Skiddaw – Broad End – Bakestall – Nr.Bassenthwaite
Distance: 7.5 miles Total Ascent: 885 metres Time Taken: 4 hours
Weather: Wet and windy. 7oC.
This is a great way to reach Skiddaw, walking along The Edge and Longside Edge culminating in the steep, slate path cutting diagonally across the western face of Skiddaw – but it was not so great today as the weather was pretty atrocious! Today I was joined by my friend Nick with his dog Busta, both novices of the 3000 footers – I hope it didn’t put them off for life! Needless to say we didn’t see another soul for the whole walk either (apart from Andy Lang in the car park at the end – he did the same walk!).
Skiddaw
Start point: Orthwaite Road, near Bassenthwaite (NY 237 311)
Bassenthwaite – Watches (300) – The Edge – Ullock Pike (301) – Longside Edge – Long Side (302) – Carl Side (303) –Skiddaw (304-308) – Broad End (309) – Bakestall (310) – Cockup (311)– Bassenthwaite
Distance: 7.9 miles Total Ascent: 1229 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 40 minutes
Weather: Cold, many snow showers with blizzard conditions on Skiddaw.
Today’s walk is to Skiddaw via The Edge and Longside Edge – a really great route of ascent. The weather worsened throughout the walk and crampons were required for the steep ascent to Skiddaw. Once on the top, the blizzard whipped up and there was a complete white-out.