Skiddaw.... the view at last

Having climbed Skiddaw in the northern Lake District many times over 30+ years of walking I have never seen the view from the top, I've been up there in all weather conditions but have looked forward to the day when I get the view over Bassenthwaite to the vista of the north western lakes, looking down Derwent Water to the distant Scafells, and from Helvelyn round to my Lakeland favourite Blencathra.
So the weekend before last Sharon and I were up in the Lakes celebrating my birthday, we had intended wild camping besides Scales Tarn beneath Sharp Edge on Blencathra, after we got up with all our gear we just couldn't get the tent up in the near gale force winds, so we retreated and pitched the tent next to the car. The next morning was beautiful, after sorting our B&B for the following night., we decided to get up Skiddaw as it was completely clear and the forecast was good for the day.
We had a great walk to the top via the Ullock Pike ridge, and descended via Bakestall, a Wainwright that I hadn't completed..... only 22 to go!!

The view from the start of the climb onto the ridge



Looking back to the western end of Bassenthwaite Lake



Looking across to Skiddaw



The North Western fells across Bassenthwaite



our route around the head of the valley



Sharon with Skiddaw behind



the route we have just come up



Sharon coming up the steep scree slope to the top of Skiddaw



The view I have longed to see, looking down on Derwent water from Skiddaw



The pair of us on top of Skiddaw



and on Bakestall



one of the local Swaledales in the bracken