Seven years ago I got a boat cruise across Derwent water and, pointing at the highest mountain in front of us, I asked the driver 'what's that mountain called?' He replied 'Skiddaw'. Ever since that day I've always wanted to climb Skiddaw. In November 2013 I had a failed attempt when, upon reaching Skiddaw little man, thick cloud came down and prevented me from obtaining the summit of Skiddaw. Staying in Keswick over last week-end, the opportunity presented itself. After returning to my hotel on Saturday from Patterdale I checked the weather forecast for Sunday. Met office was predicting 50% rain shower at 11am but very good visibility before then. Heavy rain was forecasted for Sunday afternoon. The brain wave came on Saturday night. I'll ask the hotel staff if I could have breakfast 1.5 hours before the usual time. They agreed it was fine. So, after two bowls of frosties, I set off shortly after 6.30am. Heading northwards, I picked up the CW to a small car park near Latrigg. I followed the tourist route up to Skiddaw Little Man. There was no wind to start with but the higher up I got, the stronger the wind blew. I stood in awe of the panorama from the Little man which is actually a better summit than Skiddaw IMHO. After a few photos I continued onto Skiddaw's main summit. I arrived at the summit at 9am; there was no one else. As I looked towards the Solway Firth I saw rain clouds forming in the distance. I dropped down behind Little Man and picked up the tourist track. I got back to Keswick near 11am. The first rain shower came on at 1110 am when I was sitting in cafe with a cream bun and caramel latte. Timed to perfection.
Total distance was 11 miles.
NW fells from the start of the tourist track:
Zoom-in on Coledale fells:
Clough Head and the Dodds:
Central and eastern fells from Little Man:
Little Man panorama:
Little Man panorama:
Little man, Dodds:
Bassenthwaite Lake and Ullock Pike ridge from Skiddaw:
Blencathra, Lonscale fell and Little man from Skiddaw:
Derwent water, taken on the descent of Skiddaw:
NW fells:
Walla crag, Bleaberry and the Dodds:
Derwent water and NW fells:
Coledale and Newlands valley fells:
Eastern fells and Latrigg:
Coledale fells: