Route: Skiddaw Little Man
Area: Northern Lake District
Date of walk: 28th August 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 4.6 miles
Weather: Sunny at first then came the rain and wind
I parked in the Gale Road car park beyond Applethwaite and set off with a spring in my step, looking forward to the prospect of enjoying what is arguably the finest view in the whole Lake District, from the summit of Skiddaw Little Man
The weather was excellent – sunshine, white fluffy clouds and good visibility – but as I followed the ‘tourist path’ up towards Skiddaw I could see rain approaching. I hoped this might just be a shower so carried on. The rain caught up with me and became quite torrential, accompanied by a very strong wind
I persevered as far as the summit of Skiddaw Little Man (no views whatosever today sadly), and at that point decided to cut my losses and return the way I’d come. The rain showed no sign of stopping and the wind had become quite fierce. The plan had been to go on to Skiddaw itself, then descend by way of Carl Side
Never mind, I’d enjoyed the views at the start of the walk, and the view from the top will be there to see another day
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Hedgehog - one of two - in the garden last night
Next morning I took Meg and Bonnie to their favourite place - the foot of Crummock Water
The River Cocker, looking towards Mellbreak
After that short dog walk I drove over the Whinlatter Pass to start the main walk - and was pleased to see a cloud free Skiddaw
The start of the walk at the end of Gale Road, looking towards Bassenthwaite
Signpost to Skiddaw
The path is along the heather clad slopes to the left
Looking east to Great Mell Fell and Little Mell Fell
The ‘tourist path’ up to Skiddaw
The Hawell Monument, a memorial to three shepherds of the same family, which reads: "Great Shepherd of Thy heavenly flock, These men have left our hill, Their feet were on the living rock, Oh guide and bless them still"
The popular path has been improved and hopefully will weather in eventually. Skiddaw Little Man is on the left
Looking across to the North Western Fells
Derwent Water - and approaching rain
Derwent Water again
Zooming in on Keswick and Derwent Water as the weather starts to close in and the views disappear
The weird cairn on Lesser Man, just below the summit
Just for the record, summit cairn of Skiddaw Little Man. No views at all, pouring, howling wind and the umpire decided that rain should stop play
After retracing my steps, and nearly back to the start, a break in the clouds revealing Newlands Valley
I pass by the Hawell Memorial again
Mist rising from the slopes of the fell as I look back from the start
