Wasdale is a nice part of the Lake District to walk in and especially in early spring quiet. This walk was a circular route around Mosedale and included going over Yewbarrow. I would recommend this route as long as you are happy on steeper terrain.

The walk started at Yewbarrow car park next to Over beck bridge. Following the path direct up the South face of Yewbarrow is a steep start to a walk and some care needed to find the best way up.

On reaching the top there is a plateau, and not a ridge as might be imagined, this leads to the Yewbarrow (627 m) summit. On reaching the descent at Stirrup Crag (616 m) the path down is in fact steeper than the one up and requires some downward scrambling. Patches of snow added to the difficulty. The drop is substantial and concentration needed to find the easiest way down attention.

I then continued to ascent to Red Pike. On summing Red Pike (821 m) I put my goggles on, the wind had increase and the spin drift was being blasted at my eyes. I then continued to Little Scoat Fell (841 m) and then following the ridge towards Pillar (892 m). From Black Crag (828 m) attention was needed approaching and at Wind Gap not to be blown over the edge, I stamped my feet into the snow and used my ice axe to ensure I had a good grip.

After Pillar and Looking Stead (627 m) I continued to Black Sail pass were I descended the Western side to Gaterstone Head and followed Mosedale back to Wasdale Head. As I descended the pass I was once again in the warmer sun and  sheltered out of the wind.

As I reached Wasdale Head there was an orange glow from the sunset on the mountains at the head of the valley.

The walk took 6:37′, covered 17.1 km at an average of 2.6 km/hr with 1,335 m of ascent. Wainwright count of 4 (Yewbarrow, Red Pike, Scoat Fell and Pillar).