Bakestall, Skiddaw, Skiddaw Little Man & Sale How circular walk

A later start for me today to try and avoid the worst of the weather. However, I was still surprised to see I was the only one at the small car park near Peter House Farm.

The rain had stopped, but it was a damp start as I headed out towards the fells.

It may not be raining now, but that low cloud could spoil the day.

Had I mad the wrong decision - It looks fine over to the Winlatter Fells, that was my first consideration for todays walk. But I'm committed now, so lets see how it goes.

Twenty minutes later and it looked like the cloud cover was lifting - maybe it will be clear today after all.

Approaching Dash Falls - A place where you can never really get a good enough photo. Doesn't look like much from above and you're always too far a way for the front on shot. Never mind.

I was the only walker around as I look back down Dash Valley in the direction of Binsey (the fell in the far distance).

See what I mean - not exactly spectacular.

Leaving Dash Falls, I turn right and start to climb upwards on Birkett Edge.

Looking back down the winding path on Birkett Edge. Certainly there's some hard work to come, but in my opinion this is a far better route than the awful slate path from Keswick/Carl Side or the super highway from Underscar which most will take for their ascent of Skiddaw.

Blencathra in the distance.

Looking back down the grassy path with Great Calva in full view.

Arriving at Bakestall summit and the cloud still rising just above - so far so good.

And gone completely.... ! A clear way all the way to the summit of Skiddaw by the looks of it.

A snippet of the Ullock Pike ridge with Bassenthwaite Lake behind.

Too good to be true ! High winds and cloud greet me at the top of Skiddaw. Not a particularly nice summit, so I didn't hang around for long.

Down to the col before heading up to Skiddaw Little Man for a quick out and back.

If Skiddaw was windy - then Skiddaw Little Man summit was even windier. Such that I felt the need to video the conditions as I struggled to keep my feet.

I tried out my new back pack today, it had a couple of those chest straps and toggles which whipped in the wind only to slap me in the face a few times. They will be cut off shortly for sure.

Relatively sheltered on the Eastern side of Skiddaw, I headed over to Sale How for my late lunch and gentle descent.

The Back O' Skiddaw is far more gentle and green than the Keswick side - there's such a contrast between the mass of slate on one side and the lush, soft green carpet on this eastern side.

Very few climb or descend Skiddaw via this route - it's certainly a pretty well kept secret.

Looking back up to Skiddaw Little Man

The distinctive Eastern edge of Lonsdale Fell as seen from Sale How.

Heading down to Skiddaw House which is hidden within that copse.

Joining the Cumbria Way at the junction with Skiddaw House.

The long and not so winding low level section of the Cumbria Way.

Crossing the River Caldew by the small footbridge for once.

Looking back up to the Skiddaw massif as I make good time and head back to Dash Falls

Dead Crags can be seen on the side of Bakestall directly ahead as I re-trace my steps from earlier on in the day.

The weather had been relatively kind to me today, I had expected a real battering with the rain - but a late start certainly made today a good one although with 500 yards to go before arriving back at my car, a heavy shower caught me without shelter and still managed to force a change of clothes before the drive home.

Still I'll settle for that after what I was anticipating.