Mosedale Horseshoe
Distance: 19.0km (11.81 Miles)
Ascent: 1409m (4623ft)
Duration: 6 Hours 15 Minutes
A grand walk from Yewbarrow to Pillar via Steeple.
I've been planning this walk for years now, just waiting for the right weather, and to be honest today wasn't exactly perfect. The cloud base was changing all the time but I managed to get views from every summit which was lucky! This photo was taken just moments from leaving the car showing the cloud level on Kirk Fell and Great Gable.
Lingmell and the Scafells under thick cloud. I don't think the cloud lifted once from them today.
Now starting the steep ascent up to Bell Rib and Great Door on Yewbarrow.
The views west open out very quickly with the Wasdale Screes to the left next to Wast Water, and Middle Fell to the right.
The scramble up Yewbarrow from this side is excellent. It's a bit loose underfoot and steep in places but no more than a grade 1. The photo is looking down the scree to Wast Water from about half way up the scramble.
A gully down the other side of Yewbarrow from the top of the scramble.
The gully in the previous photo is the dark trough at the bottom. From here there was an amazing view of Wast Water and the Screes. From here on it was jacket on as the wind was much stronger and wind-chill much colder.
Another gully framing the view of Wast Water and Burnmoor Tarn.
The mini-summit of Bell Rib. Still about 350ft of height to gain before im at the summit.
And my first proper view of the true summit of Yewbarrow, with Red Pike to the far left (my next wainwright) and Pillar in the centre (my last wainwright).
Blue skies over Middle Fell and Seatallan.
The true summit of Yewbarrow with the lower summit along the ridge to the left.
The summit cairn again, this time looking to Red Pike and Pillar.
Skiddaw between Robinson and Hindscarth.
A cloud free Kirk Fell enjoying the sunshine. After taking this photo I had to descend down to Dore Head which involved some near vertical scramble down which was rather difficult...
A view back to Yewbarrow from Dore Head. I had to scramble down the rock face to the left.
A very cloudy Great Gable, which was about as clear as it got today!
Black Sail Pass, Kirk Fell and Mosedale.
The summit cairn on Red Pike with a nearly clear Pillar in the background.
The awesome looking Steeple from the approach to Scoat Fell.
Scoat Fell summit cairn on the wall and Steeple.
Descending down to the col between Steeple and Scoat Fell. The climb up wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be which was slightly disappointing.
The distant Ennerdale Water and part of the Cumbrian Coastline.
Steeple summit cairn and a bit of a view towards Red Pike (Buttermere one) and Grasmoor.
The view down to Ennerdale from Steeple. The fells on the other side of the valley are Red Pike and High Stile.
Ennerdale Water from the path back to Scoat Fell.
Back at the Scoat Fell summit cairn and time for something to eat before heading over to Pillar.
A view down the whole of Mosedale from the path up to Pillar.
Pillar summit cairn and Trig Col. After having something else to eat on the top of Pillar I headed down to the lower peak of Looking Stead.
The end of the Ennerdale Valley from Looking Stead.
Black Sail Youth Hostel - one of the most remote in the country.
Now descending into Mosedale via Black Sail Pass. The fell in the centre is Yewbarrow - the first peak I summited earlier today.
Looking up Mosedale. The cloud is much thicker and lower than when I was up there earlier - looks like I timed it well!
A tiny Sparrow in the car park for Wasdale Head Inn. There were about 4 or 5 of them just sitting on the floor - they look like they have just fledged the nest.
