Ennerdale

06-08/11/15

My late night arrival was rather mysterious.  Ennerdale youth hostel is up a one-way forest track, so this looked right.

Track approaching Ennerdale YHA

Saturday morning and the weather was as forecast.  But still better visibility than in the dark.  It’s a lovely hostel; small, out of the way…although we did have some early morning callers after tea bags…

Ennerdale YHA Pillar from Ennerdale YHA

 

We walked along the track towards Black Sail YHA; great spot, I remember camping near here twenty years ago on a Duke of Ed expedition.  Almost a bothy.  Then it was up Scarth Gap Pass and on to Hay Stacks.

Pillar from Ennerdale Fly Agaric Black Sail Hut Tea break heading up to Scarth Gap Pass Heading up to Scarth Gap Pass Tea break heading up to Scarth Gap Pass Scarth Gap Pass

 

Fast moving clouds meant that the rain and the views came and went (the rain mostly the former, the views the latter).  It was windy and wet on top, so we had a very quick lunch before heading back down via a couple of tarns, one of them Wainwright’s ‘Innominate’.

Hay Stacks Outdoor Lads on Hay Stacks Buttermere from Hay stacks Heading towards the Innominate Tarn on Hay Stacks Innominate Tarn on Hay Stacks

Strong winds drove the rain straight into our eyes, and new streams appeared on the hillsides as the water found its own way down.  The ground levelled out as we approached Black Sail.  We walked amongst the drumlins that had appeared as little lumps earlier, but now they were significant mounds and seemed rather mystical.

Eventually there was a very welcome drying room, tea, showers, dinner, and fireworks.  The wind and rain were worse on Sunday, so after cleaning the hostel we headed home.

Sparkler and wine Ennerdale YHA Haystacks beer

 

 

Route of walk to Hay Stacks, Ennerdale

9.5 miles, 1750 ft/533 m climbed

Hay Stacks; Dewey, Wainwright, 597 m/1959 ft