Long Side
Topography
Long Side falls away steeply on its south western flank towards Bassenthwaite Lake, these slopes are clothed in the coniferous woodlands of Longside Wood below the 400 metre contour. To the north west the fell descends in steep broken crags to the quiet and unfrequented valley of Southerndale. To the north west the fell connects to the adjacent fell of Ullock Pike by a path that runs for 600 metres (2,000 ft) along the rim of Longside Edge. To the south east the edge continues from Long Side to link to the higher fell of Carl Side, 800 metres (2,600 ft) distant.
Geology
In common with much of the Northern Fells the Kirk Stile Formation of the Skiddaw Group predominates. This is composed of laminated mudstone and siltstone with greywacke sandstone and is of Ordovician age.
Ascents
As mentioned ascents of Long Side are often done by walkers en route to Skiddaw, this route starts at the Ravenstone Hotel on the A591 (grid reference NY235296) and climbs Ullock Pike first by its northern ridge before continuing along Longside Edge to the summit of Long Side. The route to Skiddaw keeps on the ridge to Carl Side before ascending a steep loose path through the scree to the summit of Skiddaw. A direct ascent of Long Side is possible from the Old Sawmill car park (grid reference NY235281) on the A591 using the Forestry Commission way marked trail to find a way through Longside Wood to the open fell and then ascending the steep fell side to the summit.
Summit
The summit is marked by a pile of stones. There is a fine view of Bassenthwaite lake. To the east Skiddaw is seen as a massive bulk blocking out much of the view in that direction.
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Looking north from Long Side to Ullock Pike and Bassenthwaite Lake.
References
- A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, The Northern Fells, Alfred Wainwright ISBN 0-7112-2458-7
- Complete Lakeland Fells, Bill Birkett, ISBN 0-00-713629-3
- The Mountains of England and Wales, John and Anne Nuttall ISBN 1-85284-037-4
- ^ British Geological Survey: 1:50,000 series maps, England & Wales Sheet 29: BGS (1999)