| Walk: | Dodd Wood car park, Highfield Wood, Ling How, Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side, Dodd, Long Doors | ||
| Start Point: | Dodd Wood car park | Grid Reference: | NY 235 281 |
| Distance: | 7 miles | Ascent: | 2,900 feet |
| Time: | 5 hours | ||
| Weather: | A cold but dry day with some snow still on the ground | ||
| Comments: | Eight walkers set off walking through the fields on good paths with no problems. Then as we started the climbing for the day the paths started to get a little slippery with compacted snow and ice. On the final ascent to Ullock Pike the grandeur of Skiddaw covered in snow came into our view. Luckily for us a hardy walker had been up when the snow was fresh and deep and we were able to use his footsteps to get over the very icy sections. The tricky situation continued until we reached Long Side, leaving us with a pleasant walk through a covering of powdery snow to Carl Side. The descent, however, required care as the deep rutted path had sections of ice. Whilst on the summit of Dodd we noticed that the clouds were coming in and, with a forecast of snow, it was decided to return to the cars as quickly as possible. This proved to be a sensible decision as the trip back down the motorway gave us some very nasty weather. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Heading towards Bassenthwaite we pass Mire House, an historic stately manor house open to the public . . .
before passing a church with Broom Fell rising in the distance
Time for a pause as we climb up from Ravenstone . . .
and from higher still the snow caps the Derwent Fells . . .
but there is littl to be seen at the northern end of Bassenthwaite
Walking along the ridge we wonder if we can see the summit of Ullock Pike yet . . .
but to the left we are treated to views of . . .
Skiddaw and the valley of Southerndale . . .
whilst looking ahead we can see the Ullock Pike and Longside Edge ridge
A bit of colour as we find some clear grass to sit on for 'elevenses'
Discussing the summits, as we pause on Ullock Pike . . .
and check out the ridge we have just walked along
I think the crampons might have been useful here . . .
or here - the figures towards the centre of the picture give perspective to the ridge we have walked along
Some of the group are already on Longside Edge . . .
abd before too long we catch them up . . .
before heading off to Carl Side
A lone figure on the path up to Skiddaw (about two thirds of the way) with two more at the top beginning the descent
and Little Man stands out in the snow
On Carl Side Tony and Steve look longingly up at Skiddaw . . .
but our path leads in the opposite direction - a wintry scene surrounding Derwent Water
Descending steeply Bassenthwaite comes back into view
'Logging off' - for a lunch time break
A distinctive slate pillar crowns the top of Dodd . . .
from where we get another view of 'snowless' Bassenthwaite
Retracing our steps we descend Dodd and head back to the car park