Red Pike

Red Pike

Western Lake District

Route: Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Haycock and Caw Fell

Area: Western Lake District

Date of walk: 9th July 2015

Walkers: Andrew and James

Distance: 12.5 miles

Ascent: 3,700 feet

Weather: Sunshine and cloud, chilly breeze on the tops

Our son James is nearing the end of his mission to climb all the 214 Wainwrights. Today would reduce the target by 4 and given reasonable weather he may be able to celebrate on Dollywagon Pike tomorrow

Today’s walk started badly though – when we arrived at the National Trust car park at Overbeck Bridge, I realised I’d left my rucksack at home, possibly because it’s identical to James’, possibly a senior moment. As I mentally went through the contents my heart sank – map, gps, water, food, sunhat – to name but a few. Luckily my boots and the camera were already in the car, and James was wearing a new gps watch so it was still game on, though we’d have to make do with half rations

We walked along the flanks of Yewbarrow up to Dore Head, and as we climbed up I consoled myself with the fact that at least I was travelling light. When we reached Dore Head we started the climb up to Red Pike. The summit cairn of this fell is perched on the edge of a precipice – it’s a thrilling place

From Red Pike we went on to Scoat Fell (James ran over to Steeple and back en route), then Haycock and finally remote Caw Fell. There was little to detain us at Caw Fell so we quickly retraced our steps, which involved ascending and descending Haycock again, and then returned to Wasdale via Nether Beck. It had been a long outing, involving some 3,700 feet of ascent, and we arrived back at Overbeck Bridge hot and tired – but happy and full of anticipation as to what tomorrow may bring….

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