The fell is featured in Alfred Wainwright âs Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells and is given a height of 1410 ftt approximately, however the Ordnance Survey and other guide books now give an altitude of 423 m (1388 ft).
Buckbarrow is not really a separate hill but just the craggy end of the southern ridge of the neighbouring, fell of Seatallan, which reaches a height of 692 m (2270 ft).
The fell is usually climbed from the minor road which runs along the base of the hill.
Seatallan Apartment is situated at the foot of some of the most unspoiled fells in England, with ready access from the doorstep to low level and high fell walks, and is only 1/4 mile from Wast Water.
Seatallan is a ground floor apartment with an open plan kitchen, dining and living area.
Seatallan can only be booked directly with the owners, it is not available through any booking agents.
There ahead was Seatallan with Blengdale beside it stretching into the distance, its many pools of water sparkling as they reflected the sun.
I reached the cairn on a boulder at the bottom of the slope, there is no clear path here but there is a cairn over to the left and I made my way over to it and then onto a further small cairn.
Eventually and quite suddenly the gradient eases and you are on the broad green top of Seatallan, the trig point and cairn are very obvious now that it is a sunny day again.
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Then we set off across the boggy ground to ascend Seatallan, only it wasn't boggy as the ground was frozen with a thin covering of frozen snow between the tufts of grass.
The easier route to Middle Fell is to head slightly north from Seatallan summit, off the back of the fell and skirt round on the easier slope.
Ann headed directly east off the steeper side but with care and judicious use of the trekking pole to ensure balance we made it down the slope successfully and relatively easily, directly to the hause and over to Middle Fell.
The rounded, grassy slopes on this side of Red Pike are a complete contrast to the sheer face we had observed from Pillar a couple of days ago, and we took advantage of this as we made our way up the final ascent, past Scoat Tarn.
The views today were, if anything, even clearer than we had enjoyed all week, with the Isle of Man clearly visible in the distance beyond Seatallan.
Seatallan with the Isle of Man in the far distance
Seatallan(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
Walk completed with Paul Drury 18 06 04 and continues from Haycock.
As we dropped down from Haycock towards Seatallan the sun was still shining, as can be seen by the photograph, but as we approached Seatallan the clouds and rain rushed in behind us from the direction of Ennerdale.
The climb up Seatallan was accompanied by howling wind and rain but the weather eased at the summit and began improving considerably as we descended.
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The tarn was most pleasant in the winter sun (Wainwright calls it unattractive!) and after a lunch stop and a spot of figure skating we started the plod up to Seatallan.
The summit of Seatallan was flat and extensive, but the views across Yewbarrow to the Scafells and Great Gable were stunning.
Trotted back down on a path of sorts to pick up Dolly, who by this time was getting scared, of what I have no idea, and carried on to the crags of Buckbarrow.
Climbing to the shoulder where Greendale Gill comes into view, a grassy path forks R to begin the climb to Middle Fell.
At the summit there was a strong cold wind but the visibility was excellent, with a grand view E to the Scafells and W to the next objective, the elongated whaleback of Seatallan.
A good path descends the N ridge to the rather boggy col, conveniently part frozen, and continues as a faint path up the lower slopes opposite.
Wasdale is used as the Lake District National Park emblem - Wast Water in the foreground, and Great Gable at the head of the valley.
Wasdale's location is an ideal spot for some of the western fells, including Pillar, Seatallan, Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and the Scafells.
Scafell, although right next to Scafell Pike, is usually difficult to climb because of its location - from the east, you would probably have to descend the same way you ascended.
Wainwright diary for July 1987(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
I left the bike at the Wast Water landing stage to the south of Middle Fell and followed the road towards Netherbeck Bridge.
I contoured around the shoulder of Haycock to avoid any unnecessary climbing and then headed for Seatallan, passing my first people of the day along the way.
Down to the col in the mid-day heat and then to Middle Fell - a tedious climb initially till I stumbled across a reasonable path that took me to the top of the hill.
The cairn on the eastern summit of Lingmell is followed by Mickledore then Scafell running down to Wastwater, with the famous Screes falling from Illgill Head.
Across Wasdale is Yewbarrow, with Middle Fell and Seatallan gradually further away.
Looking down Piers Gill from the Corridor Route, with Kirk Fell and Great Gable in the background