@thegeneralist

We headed down the black line trail. I rode Birks as an out and back to nab the summit. It was a bit boggy like you say. The black path is far better. We also avoided the steep rocky band above Birks and went round it on a lovely singletrack path that was 100% rideable.  We looked back up the trail and were pleased that we had avoided it in favour of a far superior track.

I reckon from what you are saying that St Sunday Crag down to Grizedale Tarn would be a more rewarding route off for you. It would be stiff old carry up onto St Sunday Crag but you would get the reward of a very long descent back to Glenridding if you did it as a loop.

I would say that Catseye Cam down to Birkhouse Moor would make for a terrific high level ride. You could then retrace your steps to Red Tarn and head down the track we went up. That would be fast and flowy. You could keep going on the trail past the mine buildings too.

Really appreciate the knowledge on Sticks Pass. Only ever ridden down it but it sounds like a nice way up too.

Grizedale Pike is a funny one. Everywhere else can be calm but that ridge can really catch the wind.

Feel free to post more photos. Really nice to see where you went on your latest adventures!

Cheers

Sanny

I did half of Fairfield Saturday. I’ve walked it 3 times before- anticlockwise- but over 15 years ago. Read the guides (poorly as it turned out- that said do it Clockwise). Left family in Ambleside. Then made a succession of terrible errors that left me climbing up the steps from Rydal with a bike on my back. Before getting on to ride after an hour of carrying. Sitting on a saddle- that snapped- (that bit was just unlucky). Pondering next steps in the snow, and eventually coming down towards Stone Arthur from c700m (walking chunks of it). Terrible map reading. Terrible decision making. What a waste of a day.

Entirely my fault and I take full responsibility. But should I have gone straight on alongside Rydal Beck before left up to Rydal Fell and ignored this map https://www.plotaroute.com/route/260268 which seems to point you up the steep steps at Rydal?

@sanny Grasmoor is great as a descent in it’s own right starting from Braithwaite, descending down the faint singletrack on the plateau to Coledale hause is such a delight, feels like you are in the Cairngorms, from Coledale hause down past force crag to Braithwaite is flowy fun with a little tech. Surprised you fell for the Whiteside down the very steep west ridge is good, just look at the contours on the map, certainly a lot of BS being spouted about what constitutes a good MTB ride on this thread!. Down to the Dodd and Lorton is the best descent, it is an absolute corker.

climbing up the steps from Rydal with a bike on my back. Before getting on to ride after an hour of carrying. Sitting on a saddle- that snapped- (that bit was just unlucky). Pondering next steps in the snow, and eventually coming down towards Stone Arthur from c700m (

Nooooooo
I think that one has been discussed to death in this thread. Defo anticlockwise 😉
Gotta go down Rydal steps FTW

Have a look at my brief writeup…

High tops in lakes tomorrow, yay or nay?

Didn’t do Rydal steps on that occasion, but …..

We headed down the black line trail.

We also avoided the steep rocky band above Birks and went round it on a lovely singletrack path that was 100% rideable.

Ah OK. Looks like we actually did ride most of it. ( Not the band, but most of the rest I think)

@sanny – yeah, Whiteside ridge is a peach isn’t it! I have cleaned the whole ridge to where it drops off the end of the world at the very end. Following someone who knows where they’re going makes it a lot easier – doing it blind would certainly be a challenge.

I’ve only attempted the main whiteside descent once – it’s in that video I posted a while back. There are definitely some bits that are impossible, but I wouldn’t mind going back and having another look some time.

Descending to the right off the main ridge is indeed a great descent – fast n grassy, a few ruts, getting chunkier towards the middle then mellowing out a little before hitting the road.

@hb70

All been there! Fairfield for me is best via Low and High Sweden Bridge. Up the Rydal way is just plain wrong unless done as an out and back in my book. The steps are great in my experience as a descent or you can head down to the tarn before it for an easier way down.

@fergal

The stuff off the end of Whiteside was always going to be a gamble from looking at the map but one we chose to take. We got part way down and at the point of having to push down, we decided just to press on. I really looks forward to doing the Dodd trail next time around though. Have to try your Grassmoor route at some point. Sounds ace.

@Justinbieber

Good effort cleaning the ridge. The wind was fair blowing yesterday so we got off for two very short sections as we had well over 3000 metres of climbing in our legs from the two days and had no desire to **** ourselves through tiredness. It certainly looked like it would all go though.

Out of interest, has anyone ridden Ladyside Pike from below the top scrambly slabs? Does it go? It certainly looks intriguing!

@sanny – cheers. Like I said, I’ve watched people ride it for years so know where the lines are on the steep techy bits. Once you’ve got those dialled it’s ‘relatively’ straight forward.
and yes, we’ve done Ladyside Pike once or twice, but there’s better stuff in the area so it doesn’t get ridden too much

Thread resurrection time.

Yesterday in the glorious sunshine was a return to Skiddaw. I decided to do all nine Wainwright tops and was suitably rewarded for my efforts. Latrigg before nine in the morning with barely a soul about and with Skylark’s singing is a great way to start the day. The climb up Skiddaw was as steep and hard as usual but I managed to ride it all the way up to the singletrack that heads up the small valley to Lonscale Fell. Breaks were had though! The Lonscale singletrack looks like it would be nice to ride down if one headed off Skiddaw at the gate below Little Man.

Lonscale Fell is an out and back on grassy track although the views at the cliffs are worth the effort to reach. There is a track that heads south off the summit that looks worth exploring as a descent. Has anyone ridden it?

Little Man is a fairly easy and quick carry up and is a worthy detour off the main path.

Skiddaw top was unsurprisingly busy but everyone was in good spirits and very chatty.

Not having ridden it before, I headed off the back and rode down to Bakestall summit. It is a nice descent – a bit loose at the top to the lower levelling then a bit steeper down the fence line. I enjoyed it and reckon it would be an option for getting to Skiddaw House. Bakestall offers nice  views north and into the valleys. Of course, it is a bit of a schlep back up! I took the chance to scope out the singletrack that heads off the back of Skiddaw towards Criffel direction and have that marked in for another day.

The steep scree track down to Carl Side was as fantastic as I remember it – it is still steep and loose. At the bottom, I had a walker tell me I was amazing for having ridden it. To be fair, it looks scary steep from below so I was chuffed with the compliment. It is funny how different folk see things differently.

Longside Edge and Ullock Pike were their usual brilliant selves but I was pretty shocked by the erosion on Ullock Pike. It’s been a while since I rode it but multiple deep rutted channels have appeared. The stone slab used to take you onto a completely rideable path but now it is a jumbled mess of disappointment. It looks like folk have been creating lines because they couldn’t ride the slab then the rain and wind have done their worst. I was looking at pictures from a previous ride and it is sad to see just how much damage has been done. Part of me wonders if this is a consequence of far heavier use and the advent of e bikes?

The rest of the descent was thankfully still a delight. I rounded the ride off with an ascent off Dodd which was far more enjoyable than I was expecting. The descent down the bench cut trail through the trees reminded me of Switzerland.

Hitting Keswick before 5, I was not ready to call it a day so headed to Seatoller and did Castle Crag to the summit as an out and back. I forgot how much fun the slate switchbacks are!

Overall another great day which takes me neatly to 50 Wainwright summits in 5 trips.

Cheers

Sanny

PS Has anyone ridden the descent off High Spy down past the climbing hut to the valley floor? It looks rather fun. I rode a section of it and enjoyed it. Looks like a good way to get up onto High Spy quickly too.

@sanny – sounds like a mega day out! Sadly you’re right – there are too many people and wannabe youtubers on ebikes getting to the top of Skiddaw, then missing every corner on the way down Ullock and making cheat lines everywhere. It’s a huge shame.

Not ridden the descent off High Spy past the hut – I’ve only gone down the steps through the mines if descending to the valley floor that way

@justinbieber

I started a new thread on Ullock Pike erosion. Interesting to hear your experience. They aren’t even cheat lines – they are just a jumbled mess. I ended up just walking down the section as it does not need me to add to it. I was pretty taken aback. Pete Archer had said to me that it had changed and he wasn’t kidding.

The rest of the ride was a banger though. Did my best to leave no trace, gave way to walkers and had a nice chat with several of them to boot. That is one of the things I love about the Lakes – you always meet interesting folk out on the trails.

Cheers

Sanny

A long overdue update from me.

Monday was another day of exploring for me. Started with Eagle Crag – a steep climb up with a couple of short scrambles. Not convinced it would be a great descent unless you like exposure to the point of deathy at the top. Smashing views though.

It is an easy and quick ride over to Sergeant Crag. From there, I followed a singletrack trail through the grass that despite expectations was really dry and easy going. It popped me out at the top of Greenside Edge which has had a lot of trail building happen over the last five years. I am really keen to go back and try it riding back down to both Grasmere and Buttermere.

The ride out and back to Ullscarf was a leisurely potter on mostly dry compressed grass. I doubled back and rode most of the ascent up onto High Raise. From there, with the ground so dry, it would make for a lovely high level route over towards the Langdale Pikes. In the interests of summit bagging, I did Thunacar Knott, Sergeant Man (looks like there is a very promising clear track off the top of it towards Grasmere that I need to investigate), Pavel Ark (stunning views), Harrison Stickle (again great views but I would head north off it next time as the first down is a bit too steep and rocky so needed a bit of carrying down) and Pike o Blisco (nice wee cheeky scramble up the back side of it that is a lot easier than it at first appears. I had no expectations about the trail to the top of Stake Pass but it was a real delight. Linking up from High Raise on a dry day like I had would be a real in the mountains treat!

From Stake, I rode much of the way up to Rossett Pike. There were tell tale tyre tracks so I reckon this gets ridden in the other direction fairly frequently.

Stopping at Angle Tarn, I met a couple who were visiting every high spot in every county in England, Wales and Scotland while cycling in between. Sounds like a bloody brilliant adventure. As it was sunny. I kept on going up onto Great End. This is not a hugely popular summit but it would make for a terrific descent all the way down to Styhead Tarn. Amazing views and I even had a couple of gliders soar past me for company.

The traverse to Scafell Pike is a bit of a pain over the boulder field but I was rewarded with being the only person at the top on a beautiful evening. The descent towards Wasdale is loose and a bit meh. It would be a total pain to do if there were lots of walkers. I cut off on to the Corridor Route and bagged Lingmell on the way down.

I have mixed emotions about the Corridor Route. There were three sections that I had to carry up, along or down while fix the fells have put in a load of stone pitching which means it is a bit awkwardly stop starty. I was hugely looking forward to it but came away disappointed. I think I need to go back and ride it fresh as it is a real trialsy trail. One for the fat bike I reckon. By the time I rode it, it was late in the day and I was wary of coming off and spannering  myself so walked a few bits I would normally ride without stopping to think.

So a properly big day out but on balance it was a very rewarding one. I reckon riding the plateau around Ullscarf and High Raise would make for a lovely day out with the option of heading down Greenside, Stake, Rosset Ghyll or even Styhead Tarn to get down.

In terms of route planning, hoping for some local knowledge now.

Glaramara – Has anyone ridden it from south to north down Thornythwaite Fell?

Great Gable – would I be better descending off it down Aaron Slack or the south east ridge to the Stretcher Box? Ridden the former and it was ok but not great.  Bit of a rock scree slide.

Also, has anyone ridden the trail down the eastern side of Glaramara to Blackmoss Pot? Classic or crap? Would I be better doing the Rossett Pike and Stake Pass descent instead?

@justinbieber

@fergal

@thegeneralist

Thoughts?

Cheers

Sanny

That’s some day Sanny, and a good few Wainrights ticked off! What was your total elavation for the day?

I’ve not heard of anyone riding Scafell before, is much rideable?

I’ve got the corridor route on my list too. Three sections to walk down doesn’t sound too bad – I’m going to keep it on my list 😀

Not ridden Glaramara heading north – that too is on my list. I’ve heard it’s good with some scrambly bits. Definitely worth trying at least once…

Never been up Great Gable either. That too is on my list (crikey, this is a long list).

However, I’ve never considered dropping from Glaramara to Blackmoss Pot. That isn’t on my list 🙂

Glaramara- apart from the rocky summit the route down thorneythwaite is a good ride from memory, a bit vague above raven crag becoming a fun, all rideable good path. Its many years since I rode it but often there on foot. Can’t comment on east side, can’t imagine it being much fun.

Gable- SE ridge is a steep pitched path, maybe ok if you like that sort of thing, not my bag, and agree aaron slack isn’t great either.

Great trip report- I wouldn’t go over to scafell pike from GE for fun with a bike, it’s bad enough on foot!

Started with Eagle Crag – a steep climb up with a couple of short scrambles. Not convinced it would be a great descent unless you like exposure to the point of deathy at the top. Smashing views though.

It is an easy and quick ride over to Sergeant Crag.

You’ve confused the absute bejesus out of me. Can I suggest you start your posts with a general clue such as ” I started in West end of Langdale, South end of Borrowdale os something to set the scene. 🙂

I have no clue where eagle crag is. Seargant crag makes me think Langstrath… ‘zat right.

Greenside Edge which has had a lot of trail building happen over the last five years. I am really keen to go back and try it riding back down to both Grasmere and Buttermere.

Greenside <>Greenup?…. must be Greenup..

I’m desperately trying to thing of a hill that has Grasmere on one side and Buttdale on the other

Great Gable – would I be better descending off it down Aaron Slack or the south east ridge to the Stretcher Box?

Doooooh. I walked up from stretcher box with the family and made a strict point of assessing every step and the full route for rideability. But I can’t recall what the bloody conclusion was. Which leads me to think it must have been a ‘no’ . But I’m by no means sure, soz

I had no expectations about the trail to the top of Stake

Ooh. Interesting. I’m in langdale next week + fam and am thinking if dragging the wean and his shiny new bike up Stake south and them east towards Harrison Stickle and then descending a footpath from there to ODG. We were both scoping it out at Easter as we walked back down from a family scramble.
Is Stake east to Harrison at all rideable?

From Stake, I rode much of the way up to Rossett Pike. There were tell tale tyre tracks so I reckon this gets ridden in the other direction fairly frequently.

Mmmm yes. I think this is much preferable way to do the infamous Borrowdale, Stake, Langdale, Rosset Gyll, Styhead STW route. It can get boggy but should be fine now.

. I kept on going up onto Great End. This is not a hugely popular summit but it would make for a terrific descent all the way down to Styhead Tarn.

Yes totally agree. When I did Bowfell and Esk Pike I decided that Great End to Borrowdale via Esk House, Styhead etc would be brilliant. Got it on my list to do next time I’m in borrowdale.

Thanks guys!

@thegeneralist

Apologies. I started the climb up Eagle Crag at the end of Langstrath Valley where it joins up with the Stake Pass Valley.

Greenside should have said Greenup Edge. You head south up the western flank of Ullscarf to get to the saddle. Looks like there has been a lot of work done. I wrote it up for the mag pre lockdown so suggest you search out that issue. I did it as a loop with Stake Pass. It was a magic day out.

Stake East up from the saddle would be pretty rideable for much of the up at the start but then steepens and gets rockier near the top where you would be off and pushing for a while. Which route down ODG are you thinking? Really keen to hear how that goes as the main tourist path at the top will have carry downs. Sounds pretty full on to me so post pics!!!!!!!

@Mark88

I suspect given that the top of Scafell is really loose but rideable, heading down to Wasdale will no doubt be more of the same. Check out the link attached.

http://www.wainwrightroutes.co.uk/scafellpike_r1.htm

Lots of stone pitching further down but I reckon it would be worth a try on an evening once the masses have gone. I saw one person between Great End and the summit on Monday. I hit the summit about half seven so despite it being probably the busiest peak in England, you can do it when nobody is about and thus avoid any walkers getting upset. Would I give it a go? Absolutely. Planning a return trip to attempt it.

Oh and my route was over 7000 feet in 24 miles. Bit of a meaty day.

@TomB

That is great local knowledge re Glaramara which is now next on the list. Planning it as a circuit starting with Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks. That will be an eleven top ride.

@justinbieber

I’ll hold off recommending the Corridor Route until I have another go at it fresh and with a mate to get help if it all goes wrong! The scramble up in the middle with a bike is fine as long as you take little steps and are comfortable on steep terrain. It looks a little daunting but I felt pretty relaxed doing it.

So what else are folk planning in the Lakes?

Where else are you contemplating but have yet to explore?

Cheers

Sanny

PS Doing the Wainwright tops is proving to be a great way of linking up trails that I have always wondered whether they would go. It is encouraging me to explore places that I would not normally have done.

PS Sergeant Man down to Easedale Tarn. Has anyone given this a bash? I know the bottom section really well but not the bit between the summit and the Tarn. Thoughts?

Which route down ODG are you thinking?

Looks like it varies from 30% to 35%, which is a worry! (40% is generally my limit, though of course the ground conditions are just as important as the gradient)

But we both agreed it looked good. But then that’s easy to say when you don’t have a bike with you 😁

@sanny Shout if you could tolerate company for a midweek mission fir Glaramara or something.. I’ve got a couple of days each month I could use

@thegeneralist

Will do! I will check it out first as I would not want to inflict one of my rides on you without knowing the trails first.

I have never considered that route down. I walked up the Mark Gate track before so am off to look at my pictures to see if it might be a winner.

Cheers

Sanny

Glaramara – Has anyone ridden it from south to north down Thornythwaite Fell?

Great Gable – would I be better descending off it down Aaron Slack or the south east ridge to the Stretcher Box? Ridden the former and it was ok but not great. Bit of a rock scree slide.

Also, has anyone ridden the trail down the eastern side of Glaramara to Blackmoss Pot? Classic or crap? Would I be better doing the Rossett Pike and Stake Pass descent.

Great End to Galarama’s summit is very similar to Great End up to the summit of Scafell. We tend to carry up Galarama from Borrowdale, turn around and descend. The descent to Blackmoss isn’t great, but neither is Stake Pass on that side.

Great Gable: summit to the stretcher box/Styhead Tarn is okay, but Windy Gap and down Aaron’s Slack is much more fun. Also Gillercombe and down Sour Milk Gill is okay, but there’s a bit of carrying down near the end. Off Base Brown in the same direction is rubbish.

@Sanny

Here’s a vid from my mate Rich to give you a feel for Glaramara:

YouTube

Hmmmm
Mr Gale not making that look a whole load of fun… not the first bit anyway.

Ha! That’s gone right to the top of my to do list! Looks brilliant, if *very* awkward. Reminds me of Red Pike to Gamlin End and down to Scarth Gap.

Reminds me of Red Pike to Gamlin End

Worse – you’d love it 🙂

@TomB and @parkedtiger

Have to admit that video has gotten me excited for Glaramara.

In other news, my daughter and I went up Lord’s Rake yesterday. What a smashing wee scramble. The track all all the way up to the loose scree beneath the head wall would make for a decent out and back. Despite the stone pitching on the main track up to it, it looks easier than Dollywagon Pike with an option of bearing off it round the steep ridge that descends from Lingmell. One for later in the day when the masses have gone.

As for Lord’s Rake, I would only take a bike up if I could rig it such that it is attached hands free to my bag. I’d probably take the wheels off to place on top. It would be a liability otherwise on the first gully ascent. I would not recommend it unless you have done it before and know exactly what to expect.

The top of Scafell as a descent down to the head of Lord’s Rake is a loose and jumbly mess which would be a bit tedious unless you enjoy your wheels sketching out on sliding rocks and stones.

However, it gets considerably better as you get closer to Rakehead Crag where it becomes more grassy and less rocky. On balance, I could endure the top section for the bottom section from about the 750m point down. As we walked it, I kept wishing I had the bike with me. The OS map does not show a track but there definitely is one on the ground that brings you out almost due eat of Wasdale Head Farm.

Interested to know if anyone has headed south off Scafell to Slight side and down?

Also, has anyone headed off the ridge from Linhgmell down into Wasdale? It looks steep but promising.

Cheers

Sanny