For some years we’ve looked at Pillar from various other summits. There are two main routes. The first starts from Gatesgarth and crosses Scarth Gap into Ennerdale before climbing to Black Sail Pass at the start of the Pillar ridge. The second, and the one we preferred, starts from Wasdale Head and ascends to Black Sail Pass from Mosedale.
Cumbria was already sweltering in a heatwave even at 07:30 when we set off for Wasdale Head from Keswick where we were staying. By 9am we were leaving the car on the village green and passing the Wasdale Head Inn and up into Mosedale.
The path climbs gradually through the dale and then after crossing the beck gets steeper as it approaches the pass. At this point we have Kirk Fell on our left, Pillar on our right, with Ennerdale below and Haystacks across the valley. Stretching around Mosedale the other hills on today’s list – Black Crag, Scoat Fell and Red Pike.
We decided not to chance the Climber’s Traverse as we were already suffering from the heat and set off up the ridge towards Pillar summit. It starts with an optional scramble and proceeds with a couple of small tops before the last steep climb to the trig point. Views from here are magnificent, everything from the sea to the highest peak in England and much in between.
After a stop for lunch we set off down the rough and steep descent to Wind Gap. The map claims there is a path down into Mosedale from here, but you’d need to be desperate to use it as a descent as it’s not more than a worn out scree. A sharp climb to Black Crag and another to Scoat Fell follow. We could see people silhouetted at the top of Steeple but that wasn’t on our list for today.
The final climb is to Red Pike. The path actually bypasses the summit but we detoured to the top and touched the cairn gingerly as it stand right on the edge of the high cliffs making up the eastern face. From here there is a long descent to Dore Head.
Our guidebook claims there is a patth down here as well – but all we could see was another scree. (Linda hates screes!). We balked at yet another climb and decide to take the path skirting Yewbarrow leading back to the road. A very tired walk up the road and we were in the pub bar downing well earned drinks.
