Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
We travelled to Northern Lakeland from Ambleside in sleet and snow with little
confidence that we would be walking today. However when we reached Keswick
there was a change of weather and whilst it was bitterly cold, the skies had cleared
and there was even the promise of a bit of sunlight.
From the A66 at Keswick take the A591 North towards Millbeck. A narrow road
through the village provides parking for a few cars just opposite a track that
leads on to the open Fell side
Take the path that is signposted to Skiddaw
The path reaches a "Y" junction; avoid the obvious stone track to the right that
leads to Carl Side Col and Skiddaw and take the left fork across grass towards Doups
Following the obvious grass track
The path leads to a specially constructed detour path that is signposted which is
part of the "Fix the Fells" program and thankfully removes some of the steepness
by a series of zig-zags
The zig-zag path
Looking towards the North Western Fells, Grisedale Pike, Causey Pike and Cat Bells
Following the path that climbs steadily to Doups
Nearing the top of Doups and the path carries on upwards over White Stones.
No navigational issues
After getting over the top of White Stones the climb starts in earnest and
is unremittingly steep but easy to follow. Further up the path look out for a
marker cairn along the Southern ridge of Carl Side
Skiddaw Little Man from the path
Looking back to Derwent Water from the upper reaches of the path
The welcome sight of the marker cairn and easier slopes to the left. At this point
the wind picked up and the temperature dropped dramatically
The track to Carl Side
On the freezing cold summit of Carl Side. Click here for a 360 degree view
Normally on reaching the first summit of a walk we take lunch; however it was
just too cold to stop walking. So we head off West towards Long Side that is
just over half of a mile away
Sue and Ste on the summit of Long Side. Click here for a 360 degree view
The path to Ullock Pike (in the centre), normally a very straightforward walk
but with the wind gusts becoming dangerously strong and combined with a
narrow ridge we decided that discretion was to be the better part of valour
Looking towards Derwent Water
Journeying back down
We journeyed back down to Keswick and a quick detour to Derwent Water
before sundown
