Hiley Website

My nephew Sam and his family are over in the UK from Singapore.

They've been offered accommodation in Keswick for the week and invited me to join them on a walk or two mid-week.

I join Sam Lucy, Joshua and Lilly and their friend Ian from Keswick at Siskins Cafe then afterwards for a walk in Whinlatter.

Meet the gang . . . Josh, Sam, Lucy, Ian and Lilly.



We plan to follow the white route up onto Ullister Hill and Seat How.	The walk starts with a steep climb up through the woods.

- - - o o o - - - There's been quite a lot of forestry clearance on the fell above the Visitor Centre due to larch disease. The 'Go Ape Experience' has been modified and now runs between different trees than when it was first opened. The Gruffalo on the way up the fell is also now out in the open, but that doesn't diminish the fun and still leaves him as a photo-friend. - - - o o o - - -

The highest point on this route is Ullister Hill, an open moorland area at the top of the forest.

The path to the summit leaves the 'white route' with a slight diversion of a 50 yard to reach the top.

From the high ground we were able to look across to Broom Fell and Graystones.

Back into a rather damp forest path after a slight shower.

The route brought us round to the south-facing viewpoint of Seat How.

This time we were able to look over to Derwent Water with the Helvellyn range (in the mist) in the far distance.

- - - o o o - - - At this point I left my fellow walkers and headed back to the car as promptly as possible as I had an appointment down in Braithwaite. I say myself, but in fact it was Dylan who had the appointment. We are off on holiday next week and the nature of the week was such that the dogs should try and look their best when they get there. This is only the second time Dylan had a wash and brush up but he took it in his stride. - - - o o o - - -
	Ooooh !!

Sam and family made it down after a more relaxed descent.

The following day we all met up again for a morning walk up to the summit of Skiddaw . . .

" Skiddaw with Sam and the Family "

Date & start time: 5th July 2023. 9.30 am start.

Location of Start : Gale Road car park, Ormathwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, Uk. ( NY 281 254 )

Places visited : Jenkin Hill, Skiddaw, Skiddaw Little Man and back.

Walk details : 6.5 miles, 2410 ft of ascent, 3 hours 25 mins.

Highest point : Skiddaw summit, 3053 ft - 931m.

Walked with : Sam, Lucy, Joshua, Lilly plus friend Ian and the dogs, Dylan and Dougal.

Weather : Changeable, into the cloud on the summit, cold and windy on top.

A bright and early start for me, but perhaps a normal start for those on holiday with young kids !

Still, the forecast was similar for most of the day and Ian needed to be away south in the afternoon.

We met at Gale Road car park.

Managed to get one of the last spots at the top.

The Hiley Family . . . not mine but Sam, Lucy, Josh and Lilly Hiley.

First photo at the Howell Memorial at the foot of the climb.

The forecast was for occasional showers . . . that looks like one over the north western fells.

Heading our way ? . . . We'll have to wait and see.

	- - - o o o - - - The 'Pony Track' up Skiddaw was the route that Victorian tourists used to use when hiring a guide and pony to take them to the top. The track has been re-engineered in recent years but it is still a steep winding climb. It doesn't look particularly pretty but given the large number of folk that walk this route it is holding up well and secondary erosion has more or less been eliminated. - - - o o o - - -

Lucy pauses to shut the gate at Jenkin Hill . . . the next section is fairly level.

The fence heads off east and apart from a bit of a drop beyond Lonscale you would think it is an easy walk to Blencathra.

Don't be fooled. The Glenderaterra Valley keeps the two fells very much apart !

We've conquered the second steep section and reached the cloud.

- - - o o o - - - From the final gate we were up in the cloud but the occasional energy sweet and words of encouragement found us at the first summit of the ridge. [ Don't get me wrong . . . we offered sweets and words of encouragement to the kids too !] There are about three high points on the ridge and in between swirling clouds we could see the summit ahead. Trig point and viewpoint cairn reached it was time for an extra layer and then a turn for home. Being more used to Singapore temperatures Sam commented that was the coldest summit they had ever been on ! That's cloud and wind chill for you.

On the way back down we walked out of the cloud and could see Keswick and Derwent Water below.

	- - - o o o - - - Spirits raised and legs warmed up we diverted from the main path and headed across to bag Skiddaw Little Man. Tired legs were promised lunch on the top seeing that we were a bit early when we reached the main summit. - - - o o o - - -

	- - - o o o - - - However tired legs didn't fancy stopping for lunch as the weather had closed in once again. A brief stop allowed the chance for a summit photo. Little Man is often recognised purely by the pile of old wrought iron fence posts that have been gathered up and now adorn the top the cairn. [ Starling Dodd has attracted a similar gathering.] - - - o o o - - -

Beyond Jenkin Hill gate and well on the way down now.

The route down is unforgiving on tired knees or legs.

Sadly Lilly took a bit of a trip and ended up with a bruised face for the last part of the walk.

The promise of a coffee at the cafe failed to materialise as the cafe closed over a hundred years ago.

The small patch of level ground by the gate would have held the wooden shack that served refreshments to the Victorians.

- - - o o o - - -

The prompt return meant Ian could get away south a bit earlier

and lunch was eaten in the house, later than planned, but it had been a good walk in cold conditions.

- - - - o o o - - -