Eel Crag (Birkett)

High above the Coledale Valley, this rugged outcrop forms the craggy northern shoulder of Crag Hill. It offers a dramatic, airy perspective over the screes of the Coledale Round. While the main summit lies further south, this Birkett top captures the true vertical character of the massif's most intimidating face.

• •The name likely derives from the Old Norse 'áll', meaning a narrow channel or ravine, which accurately describes the deep, steep-sided gullies that scar the crag's face.
• •While often used interchangeably with the 839m Crag Hill, Bill Birkett lists this lower 807m northern top as a distinct entity in its own right, focusing on its position at the head of the crags.
• •The ascent from the col at Sail involves navigating steep, shifting 'shaly' scree, a loose terrain that Alfred Wainwright famously described as 'unpleasant' for those with unsure footing.
• •The summit offers a perfectly aligned view down the Coledale valley towards Braithwaite, with the bulky silhouettes of Skiddaw and Blencathra dominating the northern horizon.
• •It is one of the few places in the Lake District where you can reach the top of a strenuous climb only to find you have technically only reached the 'shoulder' of the mountain you were aiming for.