Lake District Walks

The Dodd

Date: 1st April 2008
Distance: 3.2 miles
Ascent: 1367 feet
Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
With: Lisa, Rhiannon, Mum, David, et al
Start Grid Ref: NY235281

Walk Summary:
A large group walk up on to Skiddaw Dodd on a grey, windy day most notable for being my daughter's first Wainwright.

Route Summary: Waymarked route from Dodd Wood Forestry Commission car park to the top of Dodd and back down again.

Pictures:

1. Skill Beck

2. A glimpse through the trees of The Dodd

3. The western flank of Long Side

4. The Dodd

5. Lisa, Mum, Amber and Rachel on the bench below the Dodd

6. Group shot on the top of The Dodd

7. Looking across Bassenthwaite Lake to Barf

8. With a rosy cheeked Rhiannon in the backpack

Walk Detail: This was a large family group walk - in addition to myself, Lisa and Rhiannon there was Mum, David, Amber, Rachel and Becky. It was a grey and windy day so I thought the Dodd walk, mainly in plantations that would provide a wind break, would be a good walk for us especially as it is also a fairly gentle ascent on good paths.

As on Ard Crags a couple of days before David struggled though he claimed, unconvincingly, that he was holding back to help Becky. Amber and Rachel were ahead most of the time while Rhiannon seemed to be having a great time in the backpack. It was very windy at the top and standing was so difficult we all had to sit down and wait for David and Becky to catch up.

The descent was as pleasant as I remembered it and everyone enjoyed themselves which was the main thing despite the wind and the somewhat grey skies obscuring the best of the views. Typically Rhiannon fell asleep for the few moments we were at the top – her first Wainwright as well!!

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