Carl Side and Ullock Pike walk

Walk : Carl Side (2,420ft), Long Side (2,405ft) from Millbeck via Doups

Date : 25^th July 2016

Weather : Dry, variable cloud, bitterly cold, strong northerly wind @ 4 °C

Distance : 6 miles round trip

Difficulty : 2 to 3 – A steep pull up to Carlside, no navigational difficulties

(1=easy 5=hard)

Which area of Lakeland is this walk situated?

Terrain Overview

3D view of the climb from Millbeck to Carl Side and Long Side

Walk Overview

We started the journey out from our cottage in Ambleside to North Lakeland in sleet and snow with little

confidence that we would be walking today. However, when we reached the A66 there was a change of

weather and whilst it was bitterly cold the skies had cleared and there was a promise of even a bit of sun

From the A66 Keswick bound take the A591 North towards Millbeck. A narrow road through the
village provides parking for a few cars just opposite a track that leads onto the open Fell side

From the A66 Keswick bound take the A591 North towards Millbeck. A narrow road through the

village provides parking for a few cars just opposite a track that leads onto the open Fell side

Take the path that is signposted to Skiddaw

The path very soon reaches a “Y” junction, avoid the obvious stone track to the right that
Leads to Carl Side Col and Skiddaw and take the left fork across grass towards Doups

The path very soon reaches a “Y” junction, avoid the obvious stone track to the right that

Leads to Carl Side Col and Skiddaw and take the left fork across grass towards Doups

Following the grass path with Skiddaw and Little Man in the background

The path leads to a specially constructed sign posted detour that is part of the “Fix the Fells” program
and thankfully removes some of the steepness by a series of zig-zags

The path leads to a specially constructed sign posted detour that is part of the “Fix the Fells” program

and thankfully removes some of the steepness by a series of zig-zags

On the zig-zags

Looking across to the North western Fells, Grizedale Pike, Causey Pike and Cat Bells

Climbing steadily towards Doups. Ste waits for the two slow coaches to cath up

Nearing the top of Doups and the path carries on upwards over White Stones. No navigational issues

At the top of White Stones and a little breather from the steep climb

The climb starts in earnest now up to the marker cairn along the southern ridge of Carl Side

Skiddaw Little man from the path

Looking back to Derwent Water from the upper reaches of the path

The welcome sight of the marker cairn and easier slopes to the left. At this point the wind picked up
and the temperature dropped dramatically

The welcome sight of the marker cairn and easier slopes to the left. At this point the wind picked up

and the temperature dropped dramatically

On the approach to the summit

On the summit of Carl Side at 2,420 feet … freezing cold

A 360 degree view

Looking South to the North Western Fell region

Normally after the first summit we tend to bed down for lunch, but it was just too cold to stay on top.
So we head off West towards Long Side just over half a mile a way

Normally after the first summit we tend to bed down for lunch, but it was just too cold to stay on top.

So we head off West towards Long Side just over half a mile a way

Sue and Ste on the summit of Long Side

A 360 degree view from the summit

The path to Ullock Pike in the centre, Bassenthwaite Lake to the left. At this point the wind became
dangerously strong and we decided that discretion to be the better part of valour as standing up
straight was very difficult especially on such a narrow ridge

The path to Ullock Pike in the centre, Bassenthwaite Lake to the left. At this point the wind became

dangerously strong and we decided that discretion to be the better part of valour as standing up

straight was very difficult especially on such a narrow ridge

An ingenious, but scary path up to the summit of Skiddaw, a fairly hard core route in this wind

The journey back down

Derwent Water at dusk