Yewbarrow, Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Steeple & Pillar - Saturday 25 August 2018
Route
Overbeck Bridge - Bell Rib - Great Door - Yewbarrow - Yewbarrow North Top - Stirrup Crag - Dore Head - Chair Cairn - Red Pike - Scoat Fell - Steeple - Scoat Fell - Black Crag - Wind Gap - Pillar - Black Sail Pass - Gatherstone Head - Wasdale Head - Overbeck Bridge
Parking
Overbeck Bridge (Donation) - Grid Ref NY168069 (nearest post code CA20 1EX)
Mileage
12 miles
Terrain
Very good mountain paths throughout although care needs to be taken on the ascent of Bell Rib on Yewbarrow and descending Stirrup Crag to Dore Head. Both ascent and descent require careful but not difficult negotiation over loose stone and ideally should be left for a day with dry conditions. The transit over to Steeple from Scoat Fell looks precarious but is less so on the ground.
Weather
Superb visibility and warm for the most part. Cool breezes on the summits.
Time Taken
10hrs
Total Ascent
4908ft (1496m)
Wainwrights
5
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge with Amber, Brenda, Gillian, Stephen, Nicola & Stu
Overbeck Bridge - Bell Rib - Great Door - Yewbarrow - Yewbarrow North Top - Stirrup Crag - Dore Head - Chair Cairn - Red Pike - Scoat Fell - Steeple - Scoat Fell - Black Crag - Wind Gap - Pillar - Black Sail Pass - Gatherstone Head - Wasdale Head - Overbeck Bridge
Parking
Overbeck Bridge (Donation) - Grid Ref NY168069 (nearest post code CA20 1EX)
Mileage
12 miles
Terrain
Very good mountain paths throughout although care needs to be taken on the ascent of Bell Rib on Yewbarrow and descending Stirrup Crag to Dore Head. Both ascent and descent require careful but not difficult negotiation over loose stone and ideally should be left for a day with dry conditions. The transit over to Steeple from Scoat Fell looks precarious but is less so on the ground.
Weather
Superb visibility and warm for the most part. Cool breezes on the summits.
Time Taken
10hrs
Total Ascent
4908ft (1496m)
Wainwrights
5
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge with Amber, Brenda, Gillian, Stephen, Nicola & Stu
GPX File
|
|
If the above GPX file fails to download or presents itself as an XML file once downloaded then please feel free to contact me and I will send you the GPX file via e-mail.
Walk Description
As walks go this is a classic - a version of the Mosedale Horseshoe that, when done on a clear day is hard to beat. Today the intention was to climb Yewbarrow, Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Steeple & Pillar and return to Wasdale via Mosedale. The Horseshoe ordinarily includes Kirk Fell and therefore the ideal route would be to add this in also - plus bung in the High Level & Shamrock Traverses on Pillar and you have a superb day out. Today however, I was leading a walk with Lakeland Meet Ups therefore kept it manageable with the intention of enjoying a great day out with good company.
The walk today started from the Car Park at Overbeck Bridge - starting here means a long walk along the road to/from Wasdale depending on which way round you go. Leaving the Car Park a path heads uphill alongside a fence to eventually pass through a gate onto the open fell side. The ascent now becomes extremely steep as the route heads directly uphill towards Bell Rib on Yewbarrow. Reaching a large stile we crossed the fence & wall to begin a gradual climb to a junction giving access to a zig zag path that heads directly up between Dropping Crag & Bell Rib. This is a delightful scramble and gives the walker the opportunity to get 'hands on rock' as the steep ascent is negotiated. Eventually the rock gives way to grass and all of a sudden the magnificent view through Great Door appears.
From Great Door it is a short climb up on to Yewbarrow's South Ridge from where a gradual rise leads to the summit cairn. A level transit then begins over to Yewbarrow's North Top with the views from both summits being quite exceptional. From the North Top's cairn a path leads to the steep drop down Stirrup Crag to Dore Head - for some reason this descent scares the life out of people but providing the conditions are dry and you take your time then there is nothing to be afraid of. From Dore Head the path up to Red Pike can be seen snaking its way up the fell side and it is a long trudge to reach the 801m cairn. Here there is an option to simply carry along the escarpment to reach the summit or detour off to the left for 120 yards or so to visit the Chair Cairn - it is worth the diversion as the views from the cairn are superb and it is a great lunch stop too.
Once back on the main path it is a delightful walk along the escarpment to reach Red Pike's summit, the cairn of which stands on a precipice and as Wainwright stated "cannot be walked round" (Red Pike 7) - the views from here to Pillar are simply outstanding. Next stop was Scoat Fell and it is an easy amble to reach the summit, the cairn of which sits atop the Ennerdale Fence wall. Peeping over the wall our next goal of Steeple could be seen across Mirk Cove - this is a fantastic view and draws you over to climb this delightful fell. We therefore crossed the wall and made our way over to the top of the arête and whilst the way ahead looks a bit precarious, the transit is on a good path and not at all difficult.
Retracing our steps back across the arête and back over to Scoat Fell, it was time to make the long trip to Pillar. The route is another delightful walk in itself, firstly over bouldery ground to Black Crag then a steep drop down to the col of Wind Gap. From the col it is a steep pull over rocky ground to reach the flat plateau of Pillar's summit - there are shelters and a Trig Point adorning the smooth top. We had the summit to ourselves and I took the group over to the northern edge of the mountain to have a look at Pillar Rock - I must admit to toying with the idea of heading down via the Shamrock Traverse and returning to the original route via the High Level Traverse but this had been a long day already therefore I stuck to the original plan.
The climbing was now over for the day and we headed back to Wasdale via the Black Sail Pass, resisting the urge to make the short detour to Looking Stead, preferring to head straight down to the large cairn at the top of the pass. It is still a fair old schlep back to Overbeck Bridge but in the evening sun it was a delightful walk down through Mosedale and we were soon back at Wasdale Head where the Inn was busy with people enjoying the early evening sun. All that remained was to dodge the traffic in and around the green and head back to the start via the road.
This was a fantastic walk and one I never tire of having done it several times now. It was great to lead a lovely bunch of people on one of Lakeland's classic routes.
The walk today started from the Car Park at Overbeck Bridge - starting here means a long walk along the road to/from Wasdale depending on which way round you go. Leaving the Car Park a path heads uphill alongside a fence to eventually pass through a gate onto the open fell side. The ascent now becomes extremely steep as the route heads directly uphill towards Bell Rib on Yewbarrow. Reaching a large stile we crossed the fence & wall to begin a gradual climb to a junction giving access to a zig zag path that heads directly up between Dropping Crag & Bell Rib. This is a delightful scramble and gives the walker the opportunity to get 'hands on rock' as the steep ascent is negotiated. Eventually the rock gives way to grass and all of a sudden the magnificent view through Great Door appears.
From Great Door it is a short climb up on to Yewbarrow's South Ridge from where a gradual rise leads to the summit cairn. A level transit then begins over to Yewbarrow's North Top with the views from both summits being quite exceptional. From the North Top's cairn a path leads to the steep drop down Stirrup Crag to Dore Head - for some reason this descent scares the life out of people but providing the conditions are dry and you take your time then there is nothing to be afraid of. From Dore Head the path up to Red Pike can be seen snaking its way up the fell side and it is a long trudge to reach the 801m cairn. Here there is an option to simply carry along the escarpment to reach the summit or detour off to the left for 120 yards or so to visit the Chair Cairn - it is worth the diversion as the views from the cairn are superb and it is a great lunch stop too.
Once back on the main path it is a delightful walk along the escarpment to reach Red Pike's summit, the cairn of which stands on a precipice and as Wainwright stated "cannot be walked round" (Red Pike 7) - the views from here to Pillar are simply outstanding. Next stop was Scoat Fell and it is an easy amble to reach the summit, the cairn of which sits atop the Ennerdale Fence wall. Peeping over the wall our next goal of Steeple could be seen across Mirk Cove - this is a fantastic view and draws you over to climb this delightful fell. We therefore crossed the wall and made our way over to the top of the arête and whilst the way ahead looks a bit precarious, the transit is on a good path and not at all difficult.
Retracing our steps back across the arête and back over to Scoat Fell, it was time to make the long trip to Pillar. The route is another delightful walk in itself, firstly over bouldery ground to Black Crag then a steep drop down to the col of Wind Gap. From the col it is a steep pull over rocky ground to reach the flat plateau of Pillar's summit - there are shelters and a Trig Point adorning the smooth top. We had the summit to ourselves and I took the group over to the northern edge of the mountain to have a look at Pillar Rock - I must admit to toying with the idea of heading down via the Shamrock Traverse and returning to the original route via the High Level Traverse but this had been a long day already therefore I stuck to the original plan.
The climbing was now over for the day and we headed back to Wasdale via the Black Sail Pass, resisting the urge to make the short detour to Looking Stead, preferring to head straight down to the large cairn at the top of the pass. It is still a fair old schlep back to Overbeck Bridge but in the evening sun it was a delightful walk down through Mosedale and we were soon back at Wasdale Head where the Inn was busy with people enjoying the early evening sun. All that remained was to dodge the traffic in and around the green and head back to the start via the road.
This was a fantastic walk and one I never tire of having done it several times now. It was great to lead a lovely bunch of people on one of Lakeland's classic routes.
The Car Park at Overbeck Bridge - there was work going on here hence the restricted space. This should be complete by December 2018
Bell Rib on Yewbarrow's south ridge - the normal route of ascent is around to the left between Bell Rib & Dropping Crag
Looking across Wastwater to Illgill Head & Whin Rigg
Heading up Yewbarrow - all smiles now but would be smiling in 12 miles time? Of course we will.
After the steep pull up to the base of Yewbarrow this large stile is crossed to gain a path sloping across the south western flank.
Fudge has his 'not another stile photo' gob on him
Fudge has his 'not another stile photo' gob on him
Pausing for breath just before the scrambling started - and what a view
Stu with Fudge on the lower scrambling section between Bell Rib & Dropping Crag
The middle section which provides enjoyable scrambling in dry conditions such as we had today
It is a good idea to pause for a breather whilst enjoying the scrambling - otherwise you would miss views like this to Middle Fell & Seatallan
The upper section - the terrain improves near Great Door
The panorama looking west from Great Door
Great Door on Yewbarrow looking to Slight Side, Long Green & Scafell.
I have been up here several times now and whilst I know it is here, this view always takes me by surprise.
I have been up here several times now and whilst I know it is here, this view always takes me by surprise.
Looking over Bell Rib to Illgill Head with Burnmoor Tarn to the left
The glorious panorama from Bell Rib
Lingmell, Scafell Pike, Mickledore, Scafell, Long Green & Slight Side
Looking back to Bell Rib as we make our way along Yewbarrow's south ridge
With the group on Yewbarrow
Middle Fell & Seatallan
The summit of Yewbarrow with Pillar & Kirk Fell providing the backdrop
Kirk Fell & Great Gable with Glaramara in the far distance
Our next stop - Red Pike
Looking down to Sty Head from Yewbarrow
The connecting ridge between the south & north tops of Yewbarrow
Up close & personal with Kirk Fell - Great Gable is to the rear
Red Pike across Dore Head
Much is made of the descent of Stirrup Crag on Yewbarrow - yes it is steep but in favourable conditions it is an enjoyable descent.
Looking back to the descent of Stirrup Crag
Leaving Dore Head the route heads steeply up Red Pike
Looking back to Stirrup Crag on Yewbarrow & Dore Head from the ascent of Red Pike. The Scafells provide a stunning backdrop.
The view from the Chair Cairn on Red Pike
Nicola on the the Chair Cairn on Red Pike. The cairn can be found at Grid Reference NY16548 10049 - it lies about 125 yards SW off the main path to Red Pike and is worth the detour.
The south end of Yewbarrow, Wastwater, Illgill Head, Middle Fell & Low Tarn from the Chair Cairn on Red Pike
Contrary to popular belief Angie was not rushing over to push me off Red Pike
Black Crag & Pillar from Red Pike
The summit of Red Pike
The delightful transit from Red Pike to Scoat Fell
Looking back to Red Pike from the approach to Scoat Fell - Great Gable has now assumed its 'upturned pudding' profile
A glorious panorama from Scoat Fell
The summit of Scoat Fell - the Cairn on the Wall
Steeple across Mirk Cove - one of my favourite views in Lakeland
Pillar
The group making their way over to Steeple.............................
............... and attaining the summit - I would make my way over to join them shortly.
Red Pike (Buttermere) & High Stile are immediately to the rear with the huge bulk of Grasmoor behind them.
Red Pike (Buttermere) & High Stile are immediately to the rear with the huge bulk of Grasmoor behind them.
The summit of Steeple
Wainwright said of Steeple's summit - "This is a thrilling spot. One's feet are on the ground but one's eyes see as from a cloud in the heavens"
(Steeple 6)
Wainwright said of Steeple's summit - "This is a thrilling spot. One's feet are on the ground but one's eyes see as from a cloud in the heavens"
(Steeple 6)
Pillar, Wind Gap & Black Crag from Steeple
The view down Ennerdale from Steeple
The transit from Scoat Fell to Black Crag and onward to Pillar via Wind Gap
Wind Gap & Pillar
Looking down Mosedale from Wind Gap back to Wasdale & The Scafells
Making the ascent from Wind Gap to the summit of Pillar
The wide expanse of Pillar's summit
Pillar Rock.
It crossed my mind to return via the Shamrock & High Level Traverses but time was moving on
It crossed my mind to return via the Shamrock & High Level Traverses but time was moving on
Looking back to Yewbarrow & Dore Head from Pillar
Looking to the top of the Black Sail Pass from the descent of Pillar - Kirk Fell awaits but we saved that for another day
The way up to Kirk Fell from the top of the Black Sail Pass - a delightful scramble but not today.
Descending via Mosedale to Wasdale with Yewbarrow for company
The old Packhorse Bridge at Wasdale Head