Whittle Wanderers

Skiddaw, Cumbria. Wed 01 Dec 2004
Picked Eric up and drove to Peter House Farm near Bassenthwaite Village. First we walked back south along the road towards Keswick. It was quite an overcast morning but at least the clouds were quite high and the summits seemed clear. Where the path heads for Barbeth Hill we left the road and headed out across wet and muddy fields. Following an improving path south the route began to gain height rapidly and we soon began to get better views of the surroundings. With no wind the distant patches of sunshine stayed put and we had to make do with dull grey surroundings but at least we had a nice view of half a rainbow than hung motionless over Bassenthwaite.
	The rainbow over Bassenthwaite.
On the summit of Ullock Pike we made our first coffee stop and sat in amazement at the stunning views across Derwentwater and the misty summits of Cat Bells and High Spy.
Looking south from Ullock Pike.

	Towards Cat Bells and High Spy.
As we continued up the west slope of Skiddaw the mist rolled up behind us and we seemed to have already witnessed the best part of the day. It was nice to have a view from the Skiddaw summit. A couple were sat there, resting after their climb.

Eric and Boyd on the summit of Skiddaw.
I stopped briefly with Eric to pose for a group of two photo by the direction marker before continuing north and starting the descent. Just before Bakestall there is an old ruined bield, which we used for our lunch stop. There was still no wind so sitting there was quite pleasant as we discussed the contents of our sandwiches. We reached the Skiddaw House access track at Whitewater Dash waterfalls. Some recent stoning and drainage works had been done on the upper part of the track but as we descended it reverted to the original surface which lower down is still quite good. The rest of the way back to the road was easy and very pleasant walking.