~Long Side & Ullock Pike~
13th May 2011
I had a business appointment in Cockermouth and so the boots went in the car. The meeting went on a bit longer than expected, but still plenty of time for a walk and most of the Lake District to choose from. I went for an unusual route up to the summit of an unheralded fell, all of this not far from Skiddaw.
Dodd
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Ullock Pike, Long Side and Dodd
From the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake. I decided to head around the lake and park up at Dodd Wood and tackle Long Side from Little Crosthwaite as per AW Book 5 Long Side 4. I was in the mood for something short, steep and different.
Woodland Path
As my walk would be a round trip, there was no point in parking at the official car park and forking out hard-earned cash, so I parked just up the road from the Dodd Wood Car Park and took the path (above) down to the foot of Skill Beck.
The Tariff
Why do "Blue Badge" holders get free parking? Surely free parking should be means tested, not selected by any other criteria?
The Forest Road
"Here is a good opportunity to mount a steep fellside almost effortlessly by well graded forest roads in unusual and interesting surroundings", so says AW. Well the forest road is easy enough.
Ling Fell?
The path alongside Skill Beck rises above the trees and offers this view across Bassenthwaite Lake.
Gable Gill
One of Lakeland's least used stiles. This looks steep, well it doesn't on the photo, but it does if you're there.
On the Up
There is no clear footpath here, it's make your own way up Gable Gill. Dodd is over there.
Gable Gill
This is a tough ascent. AW describes it as a stony scramble, that is a bit understated. One step forward, two steps back, that sort of thing.
Meadow Pipit Eggs
These caught my eye after I put my hand in the heather for support. I didn't disturb the eggs and hopefully mum was keeping an eye on things and soon returned home.
At the Top
I could have turned right at the top and "bagged" Carl Side, but if I had, I wouldn't have completed the "Unfrequented" Wainwright route up Long Side.
Long Side Summit
"The summit is strictly nameless, Long Side proper being the broad heathery flank overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake." AW. The big thing behind is Skiddaw, the fourth highest mountain in Lakeland. Long Side, as a Wainwright, is insignificant when reached along the ridge, try one of the direct routes, the one I did being the only way up that doesn't find a different summit en route.
Ullock Pike from Long Side
Southerndale
Binsey
The weather forecast had been for heavy rain, I think they got it wrong.
Summithoggers
They had been there for far too long and eventually they moved, luckily for them!
Ullock Pike Summit, uncluttered
Bassenthwaite Lake
The Edge
My route down along The Edge. I went as far as Watches, before doubling back to take the footpath down to the road.
Watches
Ullock Pike
The Route Down
This path leads back to the road and a forest path back to where the car is parked. That's my fourth consecutive Lakeland walk involving just two "Wainwright" summits.
Free Car Park
Walkers: Just Me.
Time taken: 3 hrs 10 mins over a distance of about 5 miles.
Route: Roadside parking GR 233291, Dodd Wood car park, forest road alongside Skill Beck, Gable Gill, Long Side, Ullock Pike, The Edge, Ling How, path down to the road and back to the car.
Weather and conditions: Mainly cloudy, sunny intervals. Not much wind.
Greetings Count: Two on the summit of Ullock Pike and a few more climbers on The Edge.
Richard's Refreshment Review: Bacon Roll in Booths with John Paterson (Stoke City fan and fellwalker) for company. John would not be walking today with a trip to Wembley tomorrow - and not forgetting it's Friday 13th!
Take me back to the start ....