Walk

Walk : Causey Pike (2,035 feet) from Stoneycroft Bridge

Date : 8^th April 2017

Weather : Sunny, Clear skies @ 19°C hot (for climbing)

Distance : 2.5 mile round trip

Time Taken : 1 hour 25 mins to summit, 3 hours in total

Terrain Overview

Overview

Day one of our week long stay in Lakeland. A scorching hot blue cloudless sky day and after settling in to our temporary home for the

duration, we headed out towards Keswick to climb a Wainwright fell that we have wanted to do for some time … Causey Pike

Most visitors to Keswick who have ventured down to the jetty at Derwent Water will have seen this striking looking fell as the one with the

“bobbly bit” on top that’s near to Cat Bells. Wainwright says in Book 6 of the final rock tower ..

“The final rock tower requires the use of hands, it is easy but …. no place for fooling about” ….. I say … HE WASN’T KIDDING !!!

The ascent of the tower is not too bad, but if you intend to descend the same way … take care it’s a nasty little bugger with some sheer

drops and narrow ledges in places. Having said all that – do not be put off this climb, the views at the top are unbelievably exceptional

From the A66 heading towards Cockermouth, take the Braithwaite exit and the then the minor road heading towards Stair & Stoneycroft,

at Stoneycroft Bridge there is limited parking either side for a few cars, be warned it is a popular start point and therefore busy

The start of the “tourist” path just slightly north of the bridge

The objective of today’s climb lies beyond the col at Sleet Hause and the path is very easy to follow

There are alternative and more indirect paths that initially lead up Rowling End that do provide more varied views on the way up of two

valleys, however this is a steeper route and today was hot enough going up the gentler path

Looking back north from the climb towards Skiddaw and completely cloudless skies

Approaching the col at Sleet Hause

The climb levels off a little as the col is approached

There’s the “bobbly bit” and the climbers half way up the main ridge give an idea of scale

At this point we are on the main ridge and the dramatic views down the Newlands valley start to open up, here looking south east towards

Robinson and Hindscarth

Looking north from Sleet Hause towards Bassenthwaite

A perfect view of the “Newlands Round” … Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head, Hindscarth and the diminutive Scope End

Looking north from l to r … Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side, Skiddaw, Skiddaw Little Man and Lonscale Fell …. stunning !!

Bassenthwaite Lake and Binsey in the distance

Looking over Derwent Water and Keswick to Blencathra on the left and the Helvellyn ridge on the right

The path continues through thick gorse as it approaches the start of the rock tower

It’s about here that you can put your walking sticks away in the bag, as from here on in it’s rock handling all the way to the top

Phew !! – made it in one piece

Fabulous views to be had from the rocky summit

Click here for 360 degree panaoramic view from the summit … https://youtu.be/Sli1CY0Wv4U

The connecting ridge to Scar Crags and Sail

Close up on Blencathra. We stayed on the summit for some while before tackling the “adventurous descent”

Safely negotiated and back on the main paths now

The profile of Causey Pike in shadow as we descend and Sue stops for a quick breather

We had absolutely EVERYTHING today. Causey Pike is deservedly popular and certainly one climb that we will remember for some time to come