Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Great Mell Fell & Little Mell Fell 3/3/2017 and 4/3/2017

I decided to try camping on this trip. I bought a Coleman pop up dome tent which had plenty of room for Meg and myself. It is not quite an instant pop up like the ones from Decathalon, but is easily erected (by me) in about 5 minutes. The campsite at Gillside (Glenridding) was very soggy (need to pack wellies next time). I was also their first customer of the year. I wonder why...could it be because it was bloody freezing overnight and it p***** it down all night !!

Base Camp

So the plan for day 1 was to climb up to Glenridding Dodd, then Sheffield Pike and Hart Side and then back down via Greenside Road. Fortunately, for the walk the rain held off and we had an excellent day.

The camp site is in an excellent location for this walk, so it didn't take long before I was ascending to Glenridding Dodd via the Rake. Again , I found the directions in walk the lakes excellent - it is just the little details that describe where paths and turnoffs are which prove invaluable. Soon we were at our first summit for the day

Glenridding Dodd Summit

The navigation across to Sheffield Pike wasn't that straightforward. The route should have took over Heron Pike but I ended up on a slightly steeper ascent to the right of Heron Pike. Eventually I picked up the soggy track to the summit cairn with some magnificent views of the higher snow capped Helvellyn range.

Catstyecam

Sheffield Pike Summit

I then descended down to the footbridge near the disused mines. From there I managed to get onto the ridge heading towards White Stones, but as the mist was rolling in towards me I decided to do a u turn , so Hart Side will have to be done on another day.

I got back to camp around 4 and it started raining. So after a cup of tea we got into the tent for a well deserved rest. It stopped raining just long enough to get a hot meal down me and then it was back in the tent for a long , cold wet night.

The plan for Saturday was two short separate walks - Great Mell Fell and Little Mell Fell

Great Mell Fell from Little Mell Fell

Little Mell Fell Summit

Three excellent walks About 7, 1.5, and 1.5 miles.