Blencathra Centre, Skiddaw House, Whitewater Dash, Bakestall, Skiddaw, Lonscale Fell, Cumbria.
[ 21.2 km] Wed  24 Jun 2009

Start/finish NY 3024 2563
I left the small car park by the Blencathra Centre near Threlkeld in warm sunshine. I followed the track north along the side of Blease Fell and had nice views all around, especially SW towards the distant fells. The track continues to Glenderaterra Beck and then narrows.

Skiddaw House.

Over the footbridge it joins the Cumbria Way and continues towards Skiddaw House. I had a quick look for the guide stone which is in the area but didn’t see it, though I didn’t look very hard. At Salehow Beck I saw Skiddaw House up in the distance behind the trees. There is a minor direct path to it but I kept to the main path slightly to the right. When almost at the house I cut through rough ground to join the minor path I’d seen earlier. The house is now a Youth Hostel but other guests are welcome. One of the front doors was open so I peered in. The proprietors were there and I asked if I could take some photos inside. When I passed by on a previous occasion, 14th Sep 2005, I was invited in for a brew and look around.

I took some photos in the main common room and kitchen and also upstairs in the bedrooms. It’s amazing how much work has been done and everything has such a clean and tidy look. They have their own website which you can check out:
http://www.skiddawhouse.co.uk
I said goodbye and continued along the track towards Whitewater Dash. About half way there the proprietors came up behind in their vehicle and offered me a lift. I thanked them but preferred to walk; it was such a nice day. Just above the waterfall a couple were sat in a hollow by a rock having a break and something to eat.

Skiddaw trig point.

I was getting hungry but decided to press on. Following the track down towards Dash Beck I started to climb again when I reached Dead Beck. There is no footpath but the terrain didn’t look too steep. However it turned out to be quite steep in places so I stuck to the beck side as much as I could. Eventually I left it and reached open moor on Cockup. A faint path took me across the beck to Bakestall but unfortunately I missed the site of the old mine which is shown on the map. At Bakestall I joined the main path to Skiddaw. I followed it to a shallow saddle below Gibraltar Crag. I knew there was an old sheepfold there and I would be able to find some shelter to eat my sandwiches. When I got there I was met by the disgusting sight of many previous occupants having used it as a toilet, leaving patches of toilet paper in various locations and the unmistakable smell. I can’t believe that civilised people would do such a thing.

Knowing the shelter is used by people having their breaks and lunch stops is the same as someone coming into you kitchen and defecating on the floor. Such people are uncivilised. I continued up to Skiddaw summit and was pleased to have an uninterrupted view all around for a change. I wandered a few metres to the east to reflect for a few moments. This is the spot where on 24 May 2008 the relatives of Val Robinson, a friend of mine from my work days a decade ago, spread her ashes after she died suddenly in Feb 2008. The main path was now quite crowded as I descended to Little Man but then I left it and took a minor path to Jenkin Hill and Lonscale Fell. I took a steep descent north into a sheltered cove by Burnt Horse. On the way down I came to an interesting small ruin of what looked like an old shepherds hut. I reached the main Cumbria Way path then crossed over to join the Glenderaterra Beck path on the east side. The same path I’d walked in by. Then back to the car.