 I wanted a short sharp, but interesting ascent for a recent visit to Lakeland. Parking up at the summit of Kirkstone Pass, I eye-balled the skyline of Red Screes and took note of the obvious gully that leads up from the screes towards the summit. With my bag packed and the car secured I made a beeline for this potentially exciting line of ascent. From the car park gate, I immediately left the path and hand-railed across the slope until I intercepted the base of the obvious scree gully coming down the fell. Navigation was no problem. Although clouds covered the summit ofRed Screes I ascended the talus slope with ease quickly entering the narrow confines of a narrow gully. Here the rocks and soil were stained with red, the ferrous oxide giving rise to this fell's name. The gully, or gil as it might be called by an Icelander, led upwards sharply and in the wet weather posed two distinct problemswith the greasy rock. Although not exposed, two short rock steps presented a short scrambling difficulty, more awkward than dangerous. As anywhere in the hills, a slip here would could a logistical problem for anyone needing rescue and of course, being away from the main path it might be a while before rescue came!
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 Once through the main steps, the gully turned left and headed ever upwards to the summit. As the stones gave way to grass, the slope eased and after 20 short yards the summit shelter of Red Screes was achieved. I wanted time to ponder and so with my Kelly Kettle in tow, I quickly brewed a cuppa and sat at the summit contemplating life and the Universe.
To many, this would not be on a top list of Lakeland summits, but with an interesting line of ascent and some fantastic views, it gave me a rewarding short day out. If you need any other reasons to ascend Red Screes apart from those of hill bagging then AW himself gives a good few: Red Screes has more claims to distinction than any other high fell east of the Keswick-Windermere road— - It has the biggest cairn.
- It has the greatest mileage of dry stone walls.
- It has one of the highest sheets of permanent standing water, and, in springtime, the highest resident population of tadpoles.
- It has the purest mountain form.
- It has the reddest screes and the greenest stone.
- It has ... the finest view of the High Street range.
- It has the easiest way down.
- It offers alcoholic beverages at 1480'
- It gives birth to the stream with the most beautiful waterfalls.
(Some of these statements are expressions of opinion; others, especially 8., are hard facts.) – Wainwright, The Eastern Fells |
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