Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side, (Skiddaw) Bakestall

Grisedale Pike, yesterday's way up

A fantastic walk, a great improvement on the tourist route up Skiddaw from Latrigg. We parked on the Orthwaite road a few hundred yards from the A591. We had decided to start the walk form that point rather than starting with the walk in from Peter House Farm. We would probably regret this at the end of the walk.
Route find was no problem taking the path just under Watches on to Ling Howe, The Edge and then Ullock Pike. Yesterdays route up Grisedal pike was clearly cisible across the valley. From Ullock Pike the ridge ahead was clearly visible over to Long Side and then up to Carl Side. Amazingly three moutainbikers were coming along the ridge the other way and then head off down where we had just ascended.
Our main concern for the day was the route from Carl Side to Skiddaw. The path up the Skiddaw slate was always in view from the ridge.At a distance it looked steepish but as we got closer it appeared steeper and steeper looking almost vertical.
A deep breath at Carlside tarn and we started ascending. The steep section was steep,as we expected, but not vertical, and manageable. Would have been difficult in wet weather. Elspeth felt she had to keep moving constantly in case she slipped back if she stopped.
The difficult bit was soon over and we were on the broad Skiddaw summit for a deserved lunch.

View from Skiddaw looking over Long Side

The way off saw us leaving the numerous people on top who had ascended the tourist route and were heading to descend the same way.  A nice gentle descent taking care to to head for Broad End, on to Bakestall and then a steepish pat down Birkett Edge to the Cumbrian Way. Although we were tired the walk back along the road to the car was not too bad with very little traffic.


Time 7hrs

Memories

• Superb round walk
• Steep ascent up to Skiddaw
• Mountain bikers on Ullock Pike
• Completed Northern Fells

Grade Excellent

Completed 168  To go 46