Get Lost Mountaineering

Pillar via Sham Rock Traverse from Wasdale Head

Start/Finish

Village Green at Wasdale Head (where parking is free in 2015 but will be charged in 2016).

Distance/Time

12 km    About 6 – 7 hours

Peaks

Pillar, 892 m, NY 171 121.    OL4 North Western Lakes.

Introduction

This is a tough walk with much slow going but there are excellent views in clear conditions which include Scafell, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Kirk Fell, Haystacks, Red Pike (Buttermere), Seatallan & Illgill Head. Sham Rock is often misspelt as Shamrock but it has nothing to do with the Irish flower emblem and the “Sham” means false as the traverse leads to a rock sometimes mistaken for Pillar Rock. The traverse is fairly straightforward but with some exposure in places. The path is generally easy to follow but some end up descending to a lower path by mistake, There are a few sections on the path, which undulates but is overall level, that need care especially when wet. The traverse ends at a large cairn known as the Robinson Cairn after which a path contours around the corrie below Pillar Rock then up a rocky section almost to Pillar Rock before weaving its way up the steep rocky slopes to the summit. The descent back to Black sail Pass is down the east ridge which is much more straightforward and well cairned.

Route

(1) From the village green, walk between the Wasdale Head Inn and the shop opposite then turn right alongside the river and follow the very obvious path heading roughly N on the E side of the river. This is the well trodden path to Black Sail Pass which rises gradually then crosses Gatherstone Beck just above a series of small waterfalls. There is no bridge but the crossing is normally very straightforward unless there has been heavy rain. Once across, continue up to reach the top of the pass at a large cairn. Soon after this, there is an old iron gate which is where the path goes off left, NW, towards Pillar. Follow the obvious path which is initially on the left of the crest. There is also a line of old fence posts which is never far from the path. It is worth joining the crest after a while to reach the top known as Looking Stead where there is a small cairn after which it is easy to rejoin the main path. From Looking Stead, the lower traverse path is more obvious than the higher (correct) one. Follow the line of fence posts from the summit of Looking Stead to its cool with Pillar and start up the obvious path. Very soon there is a short level section with a small cairn then a second level section with a much larger cairn. This is where the path for the Sham Rock Traverse goes off to the right. Follow the path which soon descends a short loose gully before starting to contour below the N flank of Pillar. Continue on the path which is usually easy to follow until it reaches a small col with a large cairn on the right which is the Robinson Cairn. The path continues, not obvious at first, around the corrie (with Pillar Rock directly across) then ascends what looks like a long ramp to almost reach the col between Pillar Rock and Pillar. The path now picks its way up Pillar, steep and twisting in places and not always obvious. Eventually, it reaches the summit plateau at a medium cairn. About 100 m further across is a a trig point and large shelter cairn which mark the summit of Pillar, 892 m.

(2) Descend the E ridge roughly following the line of fence posts. The path is not immediately obvious from the summit but soon is very obvious indeed. There are some easy bouldery sections to negotiate on the way down. In mist it is roughly SE from the summit. Follow the path down to Black Sail Pass then back down to Wasdale Head.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 16^th September, 2015.