Causey Pike with the Pollocks

Name of walk Causey Pike with the Pollocks
Date of walk 2020-07-31
Distance walked (miles) 5
Duration of walk 5 hours 35 minutes
Weather Blue skies and sunshine, and very hot and windy.
Peaks on walk Causey Pike & Scar Crags
Walked with Andy, Jo, Cameron & Jason
Parking Uzzicar

On Friday I was invited by Andy and Jo to join their walk up to Causey Pike and Scar Crags. Myself and all four of the Pollock family are bell ringers at St. James in Barrow. Due to Covid there is no bell ringing, but at least for now we can do a socially distanced walk together. We had a six hour window to fill before the Pollocks were due at a family gathering. It was a very hot day!

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Andy's route map.

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The Pollocks in the parking spaces directly opposite our return route track.

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A calf in the field.

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Andy's photo of the start of the path up to Causey Pike.

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Causey Pike on the left, our path back on the right, below Barrow.

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View back down to the bridge at Stonycroft.

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We take the more scenic, but steeper, Rowling End route up. Thankfully we take a slow pace, as it is very hot. Today, England recorded its highest ever temperatures!

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Andy's photo of me.

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There was one small rock scramble, but not difficult.

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Small Emperor Moth caterpillar.

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View across to Maiden Moor and Dale Head from the climb up to Rowling End.

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Andy and the view down the valley towards Dodd and Skiddaw.

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View towards Derwent Water.

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The lone tree you can see from the car park. it has a couple of dog memorial plaques on it in memory of Barney and Benson.

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High Spy, Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson.

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Jo, Cameron and Jason on Rowling End.

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Causey Pike on the right.

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Hindscarth, Robinson and Ard Crags.

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Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head and Hindscarth.

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Resting on Rowling End.

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Jo's photo.

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Andy's photo.

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Now, rested, we head for the summit of Causey Pike.

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Oak Egger Moth caterpillar. (AP)

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It was very windy! Andy had to put his hat in the bag as it risked being blown away.

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View back along Sleet Hause to Rowling End.

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Cameron and Jason have found a spot that's sheltered from the wind.

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Jo's photo of me.

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Jo's photo looking over towards Maiden Moor.

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Andy's photo of the burnt heather. I'm almost at the summit scramble.

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View back.

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Cameron and Jo tackling the final scramble up to the summit of Causey Pike.

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Looking across Stile End and Barrow towards Bassenthwaite Lake.

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Everyone is now on the summit taking photos.

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Jo and Andy.

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Cameron, Andy, Jason and me. Note I was social distancing!

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And again, with different lighting.

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Again with 180 degree turn.

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Pollocks.

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Jo's selfie photo.

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Almost standing up straight in the wind! (AP)

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Andy's panorama.

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Our lunch spot out of the wind.

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UFO cloud over Robinson.

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Looking down on Braithwaite.

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Our route ahead on the left to Scar Crags.

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The descent before the ascent.

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Looking down to Rigg Beck.

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Looking back to the Causey Pike ridge.

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Looking down on Force Crag Mine. A working mine for over 200 years, digging for lead in the early years and then later barites and zinc. During the Second World War, tons of barites were extracted for making munitions. Trucks transported materials from the mine levels high above Force Crag down the fell side along what became known as the 'Burma Road'

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The working environment was harsh at Force Crag, huge amounts of water flow through the mine most of the time. In 1990 a collapse occurred at zero level. Water and debris built up behind the collapse which could not be removed causing the mine to finally close. The NT organise tours on a few days a year.

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Andy's photo.

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Now on Scar Crags summit.

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Ahead is Sail and Eel Crag.

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Jo heading for the Sail Pass. Left goes to Buttermere, we go right. This leads us back to the car park.

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Heading down the Sail Pass.

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Andy's photo of Jo and me.

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Looking across to Force Crag Mine with Grisedale Pike above.

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Approaching Outerside, but we have no time to go up it today.

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Barrow in front.

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Just when you thought I'd forgotten my customary sheep pic!

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Stile End, Barrow and a glimpse of Derwent Water.

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Awkward walking!

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Ghyll scramblers in Stonycroft Beck.

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Finally the car park comes into view. It has taken just over five and a half hours to walk the 5.4 miles, not too bad for such a hot day!

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Sunset from our bedroom that evening.

An excellent, if very hot, day! Not the best conditions for climbing steeply up hill, but we managed by taking our time. We had hoped to go up Outerside and Barrow too, but they will still be there on another day. Thanks to the Pollocks for inviting me along and for the use of a few of their photos.

Jo.

 

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