Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side & Dodd

Parking in the layby near the Ravenstone Manor Hotel on the A591.

The path I took starts on the right just before the hotel.

It's straight into it - a steep climb through the woods gets you panting a bit alright.

Out of the woods and onto the open fell side.

The path goes northwards before joining the ridge and the climbing continues.

From leaving the car, the ascent is relentless - but soon impressive views of Bassenthwaite make it all worthwhile.

Skiddaw on the other side.

From one side of the ridge to the other, 'The Edge' as it's known gives you ever changing views each side whilst continuously gaining height.

The last bit before the summit is a little hand to rock, but nothing too technical.

Views from the top of Ullock Pike.

Then it was a 10 minute walk along the ridge to the top of Long Side.

An undistinguished summit at the top of Carl Side is reached after another 10 minutes - Easy Wainwright bagging now. There doesn't seem to be a sufficient drop between the fells to justify a title in their own right for these three - but hey, I don't make the rules.

Skiddaw behind, is now disappearing in the low cloud.

Although murky and overcast, Keswick and Derwent Water can still be seen in the distance from the top of Carl Side.

Skiddaw Little Man - Strangely, no clouds over there ?

I picked a path heading down and in the direction of Dodd, and then turned right at this cairn.

Next target - The pretty little, tree covered, Dodd.

How many fells give you a luxury path all the way to the top ? I can only think of one other.

The ridge walk that I had just completed.

Dodd summit.

Heading back down through the "jungle" of Scots Pines as I retrace my steps.

Signposts too - Won't be needing my GPS today.

Some of these Scots Pines are well over 50m high - Possibly nearer 75m - Whilst looking up, trying to work out just how high they were, and whilst walking down the track at the same time, I didn't see a 6" step and consequently jarred my back.

Serves me right I suppose, for looking up whilst walking rather than looking down !

Just after the Dodd Wood Car Park, I picked up the roadside path and headed back to the car.

You may know from my last two walks, that I somehow managed to leave my sandwiches in the car - twice in succession after never doing it before in 15 years.

Well today, my lunch was well and truly packed in my bag - but as this was a relatively short walk (three and a half hours) - the irony is that I didn't actually have it until I got back to the car. I could have left it there after all.