Day breaker walk: Climbing Skiddaw at half six on a Sunday morning

[henryb]

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:

[Ridge]

That must be the time to do it Henry, I've never been up there without there being at least a few people whatever the weather.

[April]

Nice pics henry and you are right the view is better from Little Man 

We were in Patterdale on Saturday, getting wet! We only just got a seat on the 208 bus from Keswick! did you do any walking in Patterdale? Be good to see your pics.

[adalard]

Great pictures, Henry. 


We've only been up Skiddaw the once and when we got to the top we were in cloud (the opposite of the forecast) so we missed out on those marvellous views across to the Coledale and the Newlands fells.

[henryb]

Thanks for the replies folks
@ April - I finished my walk on Saturday in Patterdale. My route was Hartsop - Boardale Hause - Place fell - Ulswater way - Patterdale. Did you get the 208 from Keswick at 930am? If you did, you would have been on the same bus that I got.

[karl h]

Excellent tr and pics Henry
Great idea to beat the crowds as well

[April]

Henry we were on that bus, we were last in the queue and got the last 2 seats. We would have said hello if we had known you were on it!

[beefy]

Great pics henry ... 

Henry we were on that bus, we were last in the queue and got the last 2 seats. We would have said hello if we had known you were on it!

shame we didnt meet you henry 

[karl h]

Henry we were on that bus, we were last in the queue and got the last 2 seats. We would have said hello if we had known you were on it!

Phew.. close shave there Henry

[Welsh Rambler]

There's planning and there's proper accurate planning, well done Henry 


You walk at a fair old pace and manage to take lots of nice pictures 


Beautiful countryside!


Regards Keith