A small broad ridge encompassed by the higher fells of Causey Pike, Sail Crag Hill and Grisedale Pike is the setting for a great lower level walk
The start was from the road along the Newlands valley, just beyond the first cattle grid having left Braithwaite. Really warm in the valley, set off with cagoules etc packed away in the rucksack. A short track took us up the hill diagonally to the right towards the edge of the trees and then followed the wall upwards heading for Braithwiate. At it’s highest point the path along the broad ridge of Barrow ascended to the left heading south east. No problems with route finding, the track heads directly for the summit. Wonderful views opened up; to the left across to Cat Bells and Maiden More, to the right Grisedale Pike. A classic Lakeland hill for false summits but eventually as we gained height the views of the distinctive knobbles of Causey Pike ahead indicated the true summit was not far off. By now a cold wind had really got up. This was the cause of the major disappointment of the day. Up to now, Elspeth and I had celebrated reaching each summit with a kiss. I stopped to take a photo of the Causey Pike ridge just below the summit fully expecting Elspeth to wait for me at the top.
The start was from the road along the Newlands valley, just beyond the first cattle grid having left Braithwaite. Really warm in the valley, set off with cagoules etc packed away in the rucksack. A short track took us up the hill diagonally to the right towards the edge of the trees and then followed the wall upwards heading for Braithwiate. At it’s highest point the path along the broad ridge of Barrow ascended to the left heading south east. No problems with route finding, the track heads directly for the summit. Wonderful views opened up; to the left across to Cat Bells and Maiden More, to the right Grisedale Pike. A classic Lakeland hill for false summits but eventually as we gained height the views of the distinctive knobbles of Causey Pike ahead indicated the true summit was not far off. By now a cold wind had really got up. This was the cause of the major disappointment of the day. Up to now, Elspeth and I had celebrated reaching each summit with a kiss. I stopped to take a photo of the Causey Pike ridge just below the summit fully expecting Elspeth to wait for me at the top.
Alas no. The wind was too strong and cold to wait (so she says) and on reaching the top she was already 200ft down the other side of the hill. All my shouts to come back were carried away by the wind.From Barrow the path ascending Stile End was easily visible. Previously when we had done this walk we had contoured around Stile End but this time we decided to take it in, a good decision as it continued between Stile End and Outerside lead us through the boggy ground without mishap. A short steep ascent and we were soon on the top of Outerside - this time celebrated the appropriate manner.
We continued straight ahead off Outerside south west and descended across the boggy lower fell towards the main track leading down from High Moss to Stoneycroft back in the Newlands valley. Quite a trek back down this stony track with the Cat Bells ridge ahead and a stark contrast between the lush green of the fields in the Newlands valley and the barren fellside of Cat Bells above the drystone wall enclosures.
Time 3 hours
Grade Excellent
Memories
- First summit without a kiss!
- Lush valley floor
Completed 41 To go 173
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