With David and Jennifer down in Dartmoor for the week I was undecided where to walk this weekend, that was until Rod e-mailed about walking Skiddaw via the Ullock Pike, as it's been over six years since I last walked the ridge I jumped at the chance and given the run of bright sunshine it looked like we were in for another walk in perfect conditions. We had arranged to meet at the lay-by a tad north of Dodd Wood car park where I stopped to use the toilets for a quick pee arriving at the lay-by a short time later to find Rod kitting up. It's been a few weeks since Rod and I last walked and we were quick to catch up as we finalised our kit.

It had been forecast to be a cloudy start with summit cloud clearing for bright sunshine more so over Skiddaw and Blencathra which we confirmed as we drove along the A66, both summits were clearing leaving blue sky beyond. It was a cool start and we topped up our base layers with stretchy hoodies until it warms up. With the cars locked we entered the woodland named 'Old Plantation' on the map and followed the narrow path closed in by greenery on both sides. Soon after we passed a young girl with her Labrador and stepped aside to let her pass before the path began to rise through more woodland named Rabbit Warren emerging from the woods to views of Bassenthwaite Lake, Sale, and Ling Fell.

We didn't have to wait long for the strong sunlight to burn the cloud away as we took in the views into Southerdale towards Randal Crag, Skiddaw and Carl Side.

Footnote: It is worth noting that there are two Broad End's on Skiddaw's summit, one below the North Top (left) and a second below the South Top (right)

It was 11:40am when we decided to find a spot out of the wind and sit down for an early lunch finding a viewing area atop a grassy outcrop with sheer drops into Dodd Wood below. With Missy for company I took in the incredible views over Bassesnthwaite Lake sparing a thought for David and his fondness for Sale Fell in the distance. I could have sat there all afternoon, indeed folk came and went including the large group; time seemed to stand still before rising to our feet and re shouldering packs, it was time to go. The summit was much less busier now with less than half a dozen including myself and Rod. We took a few photos from the summit concrete pillar then began our own descent passing an elderly chap who we'd passed en-route 'happen you've got better knees than me' he joked, only just we laughed.

The descent was quick and soon we were back at Long Doors where we hooked a left at the fork, both paths descend back to the Tea Rooms but in hindsight we should have taken the right path which would have avoided us having to cross Skill Beck further below, no biggie. We passed the large family and descended into Dodd Wood where we could here the murmerings of Skill Beck ravined below. With the Tea Rooms reached we crossed Skill Beck at the familiar wooden footbridge and linked up with the path bound for the lay-by which came into view sooner than I thought it would. It was gone midday now and the heat of the day was beginning to peak. I looked down at my boots which were almost white with dust, as were Rods and began to untie my bootlaces each boot leaving plummes of dust the more I tugged at the laces.