Yewbarrow, Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Steeple & Pillar - Saturday 14 May 2016
Route
Overbeck Bridge - Bell Rib - Great Door - Yewbarrow - Yewbarrow North Top (Stirrup Crag) - Dore Head - Red Pike - Scoat Fell - Steeple - Scoat Fell - Black Crag - Wind Gap - Pillar - Looking Stead - Black Sail Pass - Mosedale - Wasdale Head - Overbeck Bridge
Parking
Overbeck Bridge (Donation) - Grid Ref NY168069
Mileage
12.5 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.
Weather
Sunny with very good visibility. Occasional light to strong breezes and chilly on the summits & ridges.
Time Taken
10hrs
Total Ascent
5036ft (1535m)
Wainwrights
5
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge with Jon Hardwick
Overbeck Bridge - Bell Rib - Great Door - Yewbarrow - Yewbarrow North Top (Stirrup Crag) - Dore Head - Red Pike - Scoat Fell - Steeple - Scoat Fell - Black Crag - Wind Gap - Pillar - Looking Stead - Black Sail Pass - Mosedale - Wasdale Head - Overbeck Bridge
Parking
Overbeck Bridge (Donation) - Grid Ref NY168069
Mileage
12.5 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.
Weather
Sunny with very good visibility. Occasional light to strong breezes and chilly on the summits & ridges.
Time Taken
10hrs
Total Ascent
5036ft (1535m)
Wainwrights
5
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge with Jon Hardwick
GPX File
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Walk Description
Back in Wasdale again and with the weather promising to be clear and sunny we headed in from Santon Bridge to walk a version of the Mosedale Horseshoe. At the outset we planned to see how it went and maybe take in Kirk Fell & Great Gable too. We had company today - Jon was a friend of Dave's from his schooldays and had travelled up from the Wirral to join us for the weekend
The walk started from the Car Park at Overbeck Bridge and we were there nice and early as this area can fill up pretty quickly. Leaving Overbeck, the journey up to Yewbarrow climbed steeply most of the way up therefore we were soon huffing & puffing our way to the ladder stile below Dropping Crag. Once over the stile, the gradient eased before the path steepened again as it zig zagged to the start of the scramble to Bell Rib & Great Door. Much is made of the climb to gain Bell Rib - there are a couple of sections where we needed to get our hands on the rock but in good conditions it is an enjoyable scramble. The path is steep but we just took our time and stopped frequently to enjoy the superb views back over to Seatallan & Wastwater.
At the top of the gully we reached the superb rock portal of Great Door which gives a fantastic view of the Scafell massif - photography was difficult here today though as the sun was shining above The Scafells and therefore right into the lens. We have been to Great Door a few times now and it is always a "mouth open" moment when you see it again. From Great Door there was still work to do before reaching Yewbarrow's south summit and we transited steeply up to Bull Crag before the path levelled out and the summit cairn came into view. The transit from South Top to the North Top was pretty level going and we were soon making the descent off the fell to Dore Head via Stirrup Crag. Much is made about the descent of Stirrup - it is tricky but it is simply a question of taking ones time and watching where you put your feet. We have been both up and down Stirrup Crag now and it is a joyful scramble both ways.
Reaching Dore Head we had a quick look down the Screes into Mosedale before making our way to the foot of Red Pike. The route up is a steady ascent and we diverted to the Chair Cairn which grants amazing views over to Low Tarn, Middle Fell & Seatallan. From the Chair there was a short transit to the summit proper where the cairn sits right on the edge of the Mosedale Crags. The view from here is just breathtaking. Leaving Red Pike there is a gradual descent before the path inclines to the right to head over towards Black Crag. Above Mirk Cove it was time to turn left to make the short pull up to Scoat Fell with Steeple clearly visible. From Scoat Fell it was a short out and back to Steeple's summit which gave us superb views down into Ennerdale and over to the High Stile ridge.
Arriving back at Scoat Fell and tempted as we were to nip over to Haycock, we headed off towards Black Crag from where we enjoyed a superb transit over Wind Gap and then a steep pull up to the plateau summit of Pillar. Surprisingly enough, it was not too busy on the summit of this fantastic mountain and from the trig point we made the short trip to the north to look down to the imposing Pillar Rock and the route down to Robinson's Cairn. Returning to the summit there was now a long and undulating journey (mainly down!) over to Looking Stead from where there are superb views back to Pillar and Ennerdale and also down to the Youth Hostel at Black Sail. Reaching the top of the Black Sail Pass, it was now time to make the decision whether we were feeling up to going over Kirk Fell and on to Great Gable, returning via Sty Head. The opinion was that we had done enough today and we therefore headed down into Mosedale to make the long transit back to Wasdale. The route down through Mosedale is a true delight and should be enjoyed rather than endured.
Eventually Wasdale Head was reached and passing behind Row Head we reached the old packhorse bridge and The Wasdale Head Inn. Jon, Angie & Fudge headed into the Inn whilst Dave made the mile or so transit back to Overbeck Bridge to pick up the car - the lone journey sweetened by the view to the Scafells and Wastwater. Back at the Inn, we enjoyed a superb meal and drinks which topped off a fine day in this beautiful & special part of the Lake District.
The walk started from the Car Park at Overbeck Bridge and we were there nice and early as this area can fill up pretty quickly. Leaving Overbeck, the journey up to Yewbarrow climbed steeply most of the way up therefore we were soon huffing & puffing our way to the ladder stile below Dropping Crag. Once over the stile, the gradient eased before the path steepened again as it zig zagged to the start of the scramble to Bell Rib & Great Door. Much is made of the climb to gain Bell Rib - there are a couple of sections where we needed to get our hands on the rock but in good conditions it is an enjoyable scramble. The path is steep but we just took our time and stopped frequently to enjoy the superb views back over to Seatallan & Wastwater.
At the top of the gully we reached the superb rock portal of Great Door which gives a fantastic view of the Scafell massif - photography was difficult here today though as the sun was shining above The Scafells and therefore right into the lens. We have been to Great Door a few times now and it is always a "mouth open" moment when you see it again. From Great Door there was still work to do before reaching Yewbarrow's south summit and we transited steeply up to Bull Crag before the path levelled out and the summit cairn came into view. The transit from South Top to the North Top was pretty level going and we were soon making the descent off the fell to Dore Head via Stirrup Crag. Much is made about the descent of Stirrup - it is tricky but it is simply a question of taking ones time and watching where you put your feet. We have been both up and down Stirrup Crag now and it is a joyful scramble both ways.
Reaching Dore Head we had a quick look down the Screes into Mosedale before making our way to the foot of Red Pike. The route up is a steady ascent and we diverted to the Chair Cairn which grants amazing views over to Low Tarn, Middle Fell & Seatallan. From the Chair there was a short transit to the summit proper where the cairn sits right on the edge of the Mosedale Crags. The view from here is just breathtaking. Leaving Red Pike there is a gradual descent before the path inclines to the right to head over towards Black Crag. Above Mirk Cove it was time to turn left to make the short pull up to Scoat Fell with Steeple clearly visible. From Scoat Fell it was a short out and back to Steeple's summit which gave us superb views down into Ennerdale and over to the High Stile ridge.
Arriving back at Scoat Fell and tempted as we were to nip over to Haycock, we headed off towards Black Crag from where we enjoyed a superb transit over Wind Gap and then a steep pull up to the plateau summit of Pillar. Surprisingly enough, it was not too busy on the summit of this fantastic mountain and from the trig point we made the short trip to the north to look down to the imposing Pillar Rock and the route down to Robinson's Cairn. Returning to the summit there was now a long and undulating journey (mainly down!) over to Looking Stead from where there are superb views back to Pillar and Ennerdale and also down to the Youth Hostel at Black Sail. Reaching the top of the Black Sail Pass, it was now time to make the decision whether we were feeling up to going over Kirk Fell and on to Great Gable, returning via Sty Head. The opinion was that we had done enough today and we therefore headed down into Mosedale to make the long transit back to Wasdale. The route down through Mosedale is a true delight and should be enjoyed rather than endured.
Eventually Wasdale Head was reached and passing behind Row Head we reached the old packhorse bridge and The Wasdale Head Inn. Jon, Angie & Fudge headed into the Inn whilst Dave made the mile or so transit back to Overbeck Bridge to pick up the car - the lone journey sweetened by the view to the Scafells and Wastwater. Back at the Inn, we enjoyed a superb meal and drinks which topped off a fine day in this beautiful & special part of the Lake District.
The imposing climb to Bell Rib on Yewbarrow
An Overbeck panorama - Middle Fell is to the right
Looking across Wastwater to Whin Rigg
Overbeck Bridge at the start of the walk
A quick breather for Jon and I before the fun starts
Looking back down to Overbeck and Illgill Head across Wastwater
Angie & Jon halfway up the rise........
...... and looking the other way up to Dropping Crag & Bell Rib
Once over the stile the path levels out for a while with only a gentle rise as we make a beeline towards Dropping Crag.
We would soon turn sharp right and begin the ascent of Bell Rib
We would soon turn sharp right and begin the ascent of Bell Rib
The panorama from the ascent of Bell Rib
Looking back down the loose stone ascent of Bell Rib. This is the first section and is not as bad as it looks
A little further up and it is time for some hand on rock stuff
Jon makes his way up the gully - this was a very enjoyable section
Looking back down the ascent as Angie brings up the rear
Its not all about the scrambling, take time to stop and admire views like this - Middle Fell & Seatallan
Up on Bell Rib and this superb view over Wastwater opens up to Illgill Head & Whin Rigg
Burnmoor Tarn peeps out to the left
Burnmoor Tarn peeps out to the left
The view through Great Door - unfortunately the sun was shining through the letterbox!!
0900 on a Saturday Morning - doesn't get much better than this does it?
A panorama looking along the crest of Yewbarrow
Red Pike, Black Crag & Pillar across Dore Head
Kirk Fell & Great Gable
Wind Gap & Pillar
The summit of Yewbarrow
Looking back along the crest of Yewbarrow to the summit
Yewbarrow North Top ahead with Pillar to the rear
The Scafells with Mickledore clearly visible
Another good view of Kirk Fell & Great Gable
Red Pike across Dore Head
Much is made of the descent of Stirrup Crag down to Dore Head - providing you take your time and in the right conditions it is fine.
The descent is very steep in places
Jon makes it look effortless - he just took his time
The path zig zags across Stirrup Crag therefore is not a direct descent as is often thought
Almost down
A fair bit of loose stone to contend with but nothing too onerous
Great views on the descent - Wind Gap & Pillar
Looking into Mosedale and the top of the Black Sail Pass from Dore Head
I had just shown Jon the steep drop off into Mosedale down near the Dore Head Screes.
He is smiling because I told him we were off to Red Pike next and not down the scree path!!
He is smiling because I told him we were off to Red Pike next and not down the scree path!!
A Dore Head panorama
Looking down into Overbeck from Dore Head
The tiny tarn at Dore Head
Our descent from Stirrup Crag
Yewbarrow showing its fangs
Yewbarrow from the ascent of Red Pike
Another great view of Stirrup Crag this time dwarfed by The Scafells
Ooh he does love a good howl
Haycock above Scoat Tarn
The Chair Cairn near Red Pike's summit - all I was missing was a bottle of beer!!
Low Tarn, Middle Fell & Seatallan
Stunning panoramas were all over the place today
Pillar from near Red Pike's summit
The summit of Red Pike
A Wasdale panorama encompassing Red Pike, Middle Fell, Seatallan & Haycock
Looking back to the summit of Red Pike
Heading to Scoat Fell from Red Pike
Steeple across Mirk Cove
Heading to Scoat Fell with Steeple to the right
The summit of Scoat Fell with Seatallan to the left & Haycock right
Pillar across Mirk Cove
Another amazing panorama to Steeple and the High Stile ridge
Heading down and up to Steeple
With Jon on Steeple's summit
Looking back to Scoat Fell from the summit of Steeple
Ennerdale, Starling Dodd & Great Borne amongst others from Steeple's summit
The summit of Black Crag looking to Scoat Fell & Steeple
Magnificent Pillar across Wind Gap
Nearing Wind Gap now as we look down into Mosedale to The Scafells - Yewbarrow is to the right
Looking back to Black Crag across Wind Gap
The summit of Pillar
The imposing Pillar Rock - looks an easy climb but this is not the case believe me
Looking down the Ennerdale Fence from our descent to Looking Stead
Another great view of Kirk Fell & The Scafells
High Stile, High Crag, Gamlin End & Seat
The ascent to Looking Stead
The summit of Looking Stead
Down in the valley you can just about make out Black Sail YH
Scarth Gap with the High Stile ridge to the left & Haystacks to the right
A Looking Stead panorama
Green Gable, Windy Gap & Great Gable from our descent to the top of the Black Sail Pass
The top of the Black Sail Pass with what looks like an imposing scramble up Kirk Fell.
We have done the ascent up Kirk Fell from here before and it is not as bad as it looks.
We have done the ascent up Kirk Fell from here before and it is not as bad as it looks.
Yewbarrow & Dore Head from near Gatherstone Head
As we head down Mosedale, Scafell & Broad Stand peep out to welcome us
The path down Mosedale now levelled out and this was a delightful transit back to Wasdale
Looking back to Pillar
The Packhorse Bridge at Wasdale Head