Starting point: Overbeck Bridge  (NY 168068)  Distance: 3.88 miles  Ascent: 1947'

Yewbarrow is one of the hard Lakeland climbs with some steep scrambling and an intimidating descent down Stirrup Crag.  I needed the assistance of another walker on the final pitch before Dore Head.  But the summit ridge is worth all the effort as there are superlative views of the Scafells and Great Gable from there.

Route: From the car park at Overbeck Bridge, ascend the southern ridge, which is steep and rocky in places.  Avoid Bell Rib by climbing to the left. and climb up to pass Great Door before ascending on to the summit ridge.  The summit cairn takes longer to reach than it looks on the map.  The descent by Stirrup Crag involves scrambling on a number of steep, short pitches and shorter folk may encounter difficulties (I did)!  From Dore Head, the return is made along the western flank of the fell.

Classic view looking towards Wasdale Head

Yewbarrow

Yewbarrow from the start of the walk

The first ascent

It looks steep up ahead

Looking back to Wastwater

Bit of a scramble ahead

A dramatic view of Wastwater

The top of Bell Rib

The summit cairn

The Scafell ridge from the summit

Kirk Fell and Great Gable

The north cairn

Great Gable

Stirrup Crag

It's an intimidating climb!

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Photographs taken with a Fuji MX-2900 Zoom or a Canon EOS 20D
Copyright © 2009 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved