Buck Crag & Yoke from Sallows

Yoke

Height706m (2,316ft)

Prominence38m (124ft)

RegionFar Eastern Fells

Climbed3 Times

Yoke marks the southern extremity of the long, undulating ridge line that reaches southwards from High Street. Etymologically, its name is thought to derive from the Old English word "geoc", which shares roots with the German word "joch", directly translating to a mountain ridge or mountain pass.

"Yoke is best known as the southern outpost of the Ill Bell ridge leading up to High Street from Garburn Pass, and is usually dismissed as a dull unattractive mound. From Troutbeck, this seems a quite accurate assessment, but the Kentmere flank is very different, abounding in interest." — A. Wainwright

The fell exhibits two entirely different personalities depending on the valley you look up from. When viewed from the Troutbeck side, it can easily be mistaken for a broad, unremarkable upland dome. By contrast, its steep eastern flank dropping into the Kentmere basin is heavily broken and visually complex, offering a wealth of rugged detail to those walking the classic loop of the Kentmere Horseshoe.

Yoke summit

The standard approaches up the mountain trace from the high saddle of the Garburn Pass, which can be reached via historic bridleways winding up from either Troutbeck or Kentmere village. The grassy, open summit crest is marked by a small, irregular stone cairn that stands right at the edge of the southern ridge paths, acting as the welcoming gateway to the grand roller-coaster scramble over Ill Bell and Froswick.

Trip Reports

The Kentmere Horseshoe30/06/2019

Troutbeck to Hartsop11/10/2015

The Kentmere Horseshoe18/07/2013

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