Started the walk at Glenridding after a coffee at the guesthouse by the car park. Must try and get out of this habit of having a drink before the walk! (especially as it was instant Latte and disgusting!) The path looks quite clear on the OS map, heading up east of Blaes crag then contouring round and up to the col between Glenridding Dodd and Shefield Pike. However, as usual, the most difficult part of navigation for any walk is the start – finding the path! Today the route was blocked by a gate with an old notice saying ‘No Path’ but could we find another way to get on to the fell? So, over the gate we went quickly up the field to a gate in the wall above, working out excuses we would use if the farmer came following us with a shot gun. (Wainwright does say that some degree of minor trespass may be needed).
The path up was indistinct steep and difficult, not helped by moans of “This can’t be the right way” coming from behind! However we soon found the real path contouring round and up to the col. From hereon the walk was a delight. When looking down it appeared that the path up was the west of Blades Crag. On reaching the col with a gate in the wall, the way up to Glenridding Dodd was easy, following the wall a short way up to the right and as the main path headed down to Mosedale Beck, taking the right hand up to the summit.
From here the route up the south west ridge of Sheffield Pike looked steep rocky and pathless, but after a little gentle persuasion it was decided that would be the route of ascent. We lingered on the Dodd for a while, admiring the beauty and diversity of the scenery all around. The different golds, reds, browns of the trees and bracken, the dark foreboding clouds lingering over the Helvellyn range, patchy beams of sunlight lighting up the lush green in the valley and Place Fell, which today, looked dark and ominous.
Retracing our steps to the col the route up to Heron Crag on Sheffield Pike was a dream. The path was clear all the way, not what we has excepted, keeping mainly to the south side of the ridge above Glenridding Screes, at no time difficult but always with was the dark, even black, clouds over Helvellyn and Catstye Cam ahead. Looking behind, Ullswater extended into the distance like a large figure two. Perhaps the BBC could use this for their BBC2 logo.
The wind, which was quite high at the col was getting stronger and stronger and by the time we reached the summit plateau it was blowing a gale. This coincided with a dramatic change in scenery from a grass/ rocky ridge ascent, to a boggy expanse of moorland (time for gaiters) with our summit not yet in view . Struggling across the bog on a well defined path and against the ever strengthening wind the summit cairn appeared and below it a small stone shelter, a welcome place for lunch.
The route down was straight forward, west off the summit to Nick Head. We had decided to descend via Glencoyne rather than down by the old mines to Glenridding. A much recommended route, the expanse of Ullswater constantly filling the panorama ahead.
Once down to the wall we stayed high above it, heading through the woods, rather than descending to the valley floor. Yet another completely different atmosphere from that we had experience in the day. A carpet of golden fallen leaves on the path, autumnal trees and no wind. Place Fell across the valley now looked gorgeous and welcoming in the late afternoon sunlight.
Once at the road we were able to follow the path on the lake side, only requiring a short section of road walking back to the car.
Time 4hrs
Memories Problems getting on to the hill to start
Wide variety of scenery
High winds on the summit
Grading Excellent
Completed 11 To Go 203
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