Date: Tuesday 26th December 2023
Company: Just myself
Distance: 17km, Ascent: 975m
Time: 5Hrs 35Mins
I set off walking nice and early this morning in the hope of seeing the sun rise while ascending Red Screes. Instead of undertaking the short, steep ascent from the Kirkstone Pass, I decided to ascend via the SSW ridge which I hoped would provide better views of the sunrise. It was my intention to ascend Red Screes and Middle Dodd only.
Route:
I parked in a small, free parking area off 'the Struggle' and started walking an hour before sunrise.
Ascending Red Screes SSW ridge:
During the hour leading to sunrise, the orange sky increased in intensity. The weather was as good as forecast
.Looking back to Windermere and Ambleside:
To gain height quickly, I ascended in fifth gear. Somewhat annoyingly, this resulted in Kate Bush's song 'Running up that hill" becoming an earworm
.Looking back during ascent:
Pre-sunrise orange sky:
Unnamed knoll:
As if hearing 'Running up that hill" in my head wasn't bad enough, when the sun came up the earworm changed to 'Blinded by the light'
.Looking back to Windermere:
Sunrise:
The sunrise was beautiful.
Sunrise:
A minute or so after sunrise, I spotted a Herdwick a short distance downhill, so I descended to take a photo. Unusually, it didn't run off.
Rydal Water:
Thankfully, 'Blinded by the light' didn't last long but I was to suffer one more earworm as I made my way towards the summit, 'Baby it's cold outside'. While I have suffered with the occasional earworm previously while ascending hills, this is the first time I have had to endure three!
Ascending Red Screes:
During the final ascent, I avoided the icy path instead walking on the grass.
Looking back to Windermere:
On reaching the summit area, I first visited the summit, which is a rock next to the shelter 18 metres from the trig point, and then visited the trig point.
Red Screes trig point:
The sky was still orange looking back from the summit but lots of cloud was now rolling-in. The MetOffice app forecast was as accurate as ever.
Looking back to the summit rock next to the summit shelter:
From the summit of Red Screes, I next made my way out to Middle Dodd.
Looking back to Red Screes:
Having started walking early, I reached the summit of Middle Dodd at 9.45am. It was far too early to commence my descent so I had a quick look at the map to see if I could extend the walk to include more Wainwrights. I decided to skirt round to the Scandale Pass and then ascend Little Hart Crag and High Hartsop Dodd. I realised this would leave me far from my starting point with several potential return routes, the easiest but most dangerous being to walk back along the road.
View from the summit of Middle Dodd:
It took longer than anticipated to reach the Scandale Pass due to taking care not to slip on icy sections.
View to Brother's Water while skirting round to Scandale Pass:
On reaching the Scandale Pass, I commenced my ascent of Little Hart Crag.
Ascending Little Hart Crag:
Little Hart Crag:
View from the summit of Little Hart Crag:
After visiting both tops of Little Hart Crag, I continued along the ridge out to High Hartsop Dodd.
Heading out to High Hartsop Dodd:
With only a 3 metre drop, High Hartsop Dodd is not really a summit. It is however a great viewpoint.
View from the summit of High Hartsop Dodd:
Like Hartsop Dodd on the other side of the A592, High Hartsop Dodd is also steep. The descent was however easier than expected thanks to an excellent zig-zagging path.
Steep descent from High Hartsop Dodd:
Descending High Hartsop Dodd:
On reaching the base of High Hartsop Dodd, I initially commenced my return towards the car following the Caiston Beck track. I could however see that the road was not busy so decided to walk out to the road and walk the A592 then 'the Struggle' back to the car.
Looking back to steep High Hartsop Dodd:
Middle Dodd:
Having to re-ascend c.250m up the A592 was not ideal. What was even more annoying was the fact the Kirkstone Inn was closed
.Walking the A592:
Red Screes from Kirkstone:
Descending 'the Struggle':
After walking over 6km back along the road, it was a relief to reach the car.
Red Screes was my final Lake District Marilyn. I still however have over 50 Wainwrights to ascend.
Lake District Marilyns complete:
Having just looked at the forecast for tomorrow, I can't say I am looking forward to walking. Think it will be a very short day on the fells.
Forecast for tomorrow:
