Wednesday 8 June 2022

Keswick, Walk A, Sat 11th June 2022

Skiddaw Little Man, lead by Brian Thorne, 

Approximately 10 miles, 2,821 ft (860m) assent.

According to Wainwright, Skiddaw Little Man, (the highest point of today’s walk) is “So fine a mountain that it is less than justice that its name must forever acknowledge subservience to its parent, Skiddaw.” Little it most certainly is not – its summit soars half a mile above the valley and the path to it is in parts steep and unremitting. Having said that, the views from the summit present a magnificent panorama of the heart and soul of Lakeland and are well worth the extra effort that will be required to get ourselves up there.

So, leaving the coach, we pass up the High Street and through the Park to the Leisure Centre. Crossing the footbridge over the busy A66, we begin our climb up through the woods which cover the western flanks of Latrigg. Rising steadily, we pass through a small car park to begin the climbing in earnest. This is the really tough part, but just as you’re thinking, “Will it never end?” the gradient does finally ease and the way to the top is much less taxing.

Our way back to Keswick is (mostly) downhill, with a steep descent from the summit via Skiddaw Lesser Man to the main track on Jenkin Hill.

 

 The Skiddaw group.



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