Red Pike & Pillar walk from Wasdale Head

Bit gloomy as I walk out of my room at the Wasdale Head Inn - It was very heavy rain last night and Mosedale Beck is full and fast flowing, I hope today is going to be okay up there.

Leaving my base and heading down the lane

It is a Tuesday and only 10am, but the Wasdale Head car parking area is unusually very quiet - maybe folk are giving today a miss due to the weather forecast.

A mild but breezy stroll along the roadside with Wast Water and the scene of yesterdays enjoyable walk in the distance

Not a car or a soul around - It was very pleasant having this area to myself - the walking is easy too, as my legs warm up to the challenges ahead.

Time to leave the roadside at the Overbeck Car Park and follow the signpost to the Mosedale Horseshoe.

The challenging route up Yewbarrow via Dropping Crag and Bell Rib - Not for me though as I follow alongside Mosedale Beck and head up the valley.

That's handy - a choice of two to cross on. I'll go for the first one, that looks less likely to collapse.

The beck coming down from Low Tarn was in full spate - thank goodness for that small footbridge

Approaching Dore Head as I get welcomed by the first burst of rain today - waterproofs on from now on.

At Dore Head and looking back at Yewbarrow and spotting the easy diagonal path heading back up towards the summit, the path that I always choose to take to avoid any significant exposure.

Stirrup Crag - beyond my walking capabilities, even Wainwright left a trail of blood on this one - I've never climbed it, many have, but the list of rescues from Wasdale MRT have made me decide it's not for me.

A left turn from Dore Head and I start my descent into the cloud and rain up towards Red Pike.

Reaching the ridge and the mile long Red Pike escarpment, a short break in the clouds allowed me to take a photo over to the other side of Mosedale and the Black Sail Pass with Kirk Fell to the right.

I love the summit of Red Pike, it is dramatically sited on the very brink of the Mosedale precipice - but today this is all I could see - shame.

Scoat Tarn, Seatallan can just be made out behind.

Another break in the cloud reveals Black Crag with Wind Gap tucked away to the far right.

You can't tell from the photo's obviously, but it was extremely windy along the Red Pike ridge with strong westerly winds - I wondered what it would be like going round the horseshoe at Wind Gap whilst I enjoyed a lunch break behind a very large boulder.

Following the thin path on the side of Black Crag as I look down the steep sides at the head of the valley.

Wind Gap - With no wind at all ! Fully sheltered for the time being.

I just realised that I had not seen a single soul all day long and I'd been walking for about 4 hours. A bit spooky/eerie around here, but magical at the same time. Just better make sure I don't slip and fall on the rocky clamber up to the top of Pillar, not much help around.

Pillar summit in the gloom.

Looking back at the Mosedale Horseshoe as the cloud lifted slightly - Wind Gap can be seen more clearly now.

It was still breezy up here on the slopes of Pillar - but not as strong as it was over there on Red Pike.

Following the path down to Black Sail Pass with Kirk Fell behind. Great Gable can just be seen in the background with a cloud topping.

A dramatic view down to my left into the beautiful valley of Ennerdale and the High Stile ridge as a backdrop.

I popped over to the Looking Stead - Always worth spending 5 minutes enjoying the spectacular views from here

Zooming in for a close up of the Black Sail Hut.

Arriving at Black Sail Pass. A right turn for me here to head back down the path into Mosedale.

Finally I met another walker after well over 5 hours of todays walk. A young lad heading anti-clockwise around the horseshoe, he was just descending Kirk Fell. He was keen to know what the conditions were like up there - "High westerly winds on Red Pike, but not too bad elsewhere" we enjoyed a quick chat and went our different ways.

Unfortunately, 15 minutes later it started to rain - and it didn't stop for the next hour or so. My assessment of the conditions didn't take this into account - I just hope the lad was sensible and didn't take any risks in the worsening conditions.

With the heavy rain - the beck was in full flow and care had to be taken to safely cross without getting wetter still.

Ah - Wasdale Head - Now for a hot shower, dry clothes and a splash of after shave for a trip out to The Strands at Nether Wasdale for a nice hot meal and a pint or two of excellent beer.

One day left of my mini-trip to the Lakes before I head for home.