Text and pics contributed by Rachael.
Day 7: Helvellyn YH to Skiddaw House hostel, 13.5 miles
The forecast for the day was not looking great but the sun was shining as we left the hostel and headed up through the scarred mine and quarry landscape to Sticks Pass. All four of us were back together again.
The good weather lasted for the climb up to the ridge and onto Stybarrow Dodd.
It was very cold on the top. The forecast was for 4 °C but 0 °C with the windchill. We wrapped up with all our layers and battled on against the wind to Watson Dodd and Great Dodd.
As we left Great Dodd, the rain started. Shortly afterwards, a runner passed us. This was the first of many running the “Lakes in a Day”, a 50-mile ultramarathon from Caldbeck to Cartmel. It made our little stroll feel pretty unimpressive.
At the top of Clough Head, we left the runners. We were happy to be heading down.
The view over towards Blencathra looked appealing but that was one fell too many for this walk.
Instead we took the disused railway line to Brundholme and followed up the Glenderaterra valley.
The last section of the route followed the Cumbria Way to the remote Skiddaw House. It is very basic but a fantastic little hostel, self-catered and independently run with YHA affiliation. Highly recommended, another favourite of the trip.
