Causey Pike, Scar Crags & Sail

Thursday dawned with me waking up feeling ill, good thing it was tipping down and grim outside. We lazed around at the cottage until the weather started to clear, the promise of clear skies later made me get my act together & get outdoors. I couldn't resist missing some nice evening sun on the hills..

Emma wanted to revisit Force Crag Mine which vetoed the Wainwrights Outerside & Barrow from the walk due to our late start. We parked in Braithwaite and headed up into the fells, the sun was on the Kewick fells & it felt like things might improve weather wise.

There are better start points for our first hill Causey Pike, we were stuck with ours due to the mine visit at the end. Once we had passed along the bottom of Causey Pike we dipped into the valley to cross the stream, then followed a faint 'path' straight up the steep side of Causey Pike. This won the prize of the worst mountain climb of the week, feeling rough and a steep hill side do not combine!

Once of the ridge itself we visited the various tops of the Pike, presuming the last one was the true top. Emma stayed just below for the last one whilst Steve and I took it in turns to touch the top. I was a bit worried about the ridge to Scar Crags, but it was broad and had some nice views to the valley below.

At the Col we could easily see the scar of the man made path up Sail of which there's been much debate over. It went on endlessly in the mist and we had a stop mid way up to build a mini snow man! The top of Sail is a bit of a let down which is a shame as the ridge beyond is quite pretty & exciting. None of that for us though as it was back down to the col to pick up the path leading beneath the crags & down to the mine below.

Steve spent quite a bit of time photographing the upper waterfall (Low Force?), I was content to sit and wait with Emma to avoid the dicey river crossing! We headed down to admire the other waterfall which I believe is called High Force & had a bit of an explore of the mines. We were the only people in the valley and it felt incredibly peaceful. Alas there was no sunset..

From the mines it's a straightforward track & footpath back to Braithwaite which is a nice easy end to a winter walk with a late start. We ended the day in a packed ot Weatherspoons in Keswick which makes for an interesting eating venue and it's in the old court house. Well worth a visit if your after some budget food, fast after a tiring walk!