UKC

A group of us have booked Black Sail for some weekend walking/climbing in the early part of this February

We're getting in touch with the warden. However, wondering if folk could comment on the logistics with respect to food, etc... There looks to be a reasonable walk in and wondering whether we need to lug food, water, etc...

Also, if there are winter conditions, wondering if there are interesting gullies, falls, etc... walking distance from Black Sail to consider bringing along axes, ropes, etc..

Simon...

In reply to Simon Pelly:

The walk in from Gatesgarth farm, Buttermere is surprisingly quick and easy, around 45 mins max. There'll be plenty water at the hut and in the nearby river.

Not sure what winter fun is to be had around Pillar etc, but i'd imagine there'll be loads, should conditions be right. There'll be a fair bit of rare flora around those gullies so only worth doing if there's a really good freeze.

A visit to High Man is pretty cool and a fine day out. Cross the memorial bridge over the Liza, then head straight for the big rocks of Pillar, it looks a bit improbable but the path is actually ok, keeping left of the crags brings you onto the High level traverse. There's also an easy scramble / walk to the summit of Pillar from there.

In reply to Simon Pelly:

The walk from Gatesgarth over scarth gap can take longer than 45 mins if you are carrying supplies for the weekend it is a reasonable climb up.

You can also approach from Ennerdale, you might be able to park at Ennerdale Hostel, and from there it is about 3 miles on a reasonable forest track, should be less than an hour to walk or you could cycle up there in 20 - 30 mins on a mountain/hybrid bike.

Check with the YHA but I think there used to be an arrangement that one car from the group could drive with luggage/supplies to the end of the forest track which is only a few hundred meters from Black sail. This was a good few years ago and things might have changed with the wild Ennerdale project.

In reply to Simon Pelly:

Gable crag is nearby and fairly reliable for the Lakes, Pinnacle Ridge comes into nick quickly.

If there has been a long and hard freeze then West Waterfall Gully on Pillar is amazing, but it take quite a bit to bring it in.