Slight Side

Slight Side is a fell on the south-western edge of the Scafell Massif in the Lake District. It stands near the hamlet of Boot in Eskdale, a valley running south from the higher fells. The fell’s name comes from Old Norse and means ‘the mountain shieling with the level pastures.’ A shieling is a summer pasture or shepherd’s hut used when cattle grazed the high ground. Though only 762 metres high, it forms a distinct rocky summit above the valley. Alfred Wainwright gave Slight Side separate status in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. The fell is steep and craggy on every side except the northern ridge that links it to Scafell. To the east the slopes drop to the infant River Esk, while to the west they fall across Eskdale Fell toward Burnmoor Tarn. Horn Crag overlooks Eskdale from the south, and Long Green, a kilometre north of the col, is often mistaken for the summit. The summit is rocky and well defined, with prominent rock formations. Wainwright chose it as one of the six best summits in the Lake District. From the top there are wide views westward to the Irish Sea. A common route starts at Boot, passing Eel Tarn and Stony Tarn before climbing the broad ridge to the summit. The final scramble is rough, but the effort is rewarded by the fell’s sharp profile and open outlook.