Editing Skiddaw (section)

==Topography==
[[Image:Skiddaw sketch map.JPG|thumb|300px|Sketch map of the Skiddaw locality]]
The [[Northern Fells]] make up a roughly circular upland area approaching {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=off}} in width. At the centre is the marshy depression of Skiddaw Forest, a treeless plateau, or valley, at an elevation of about {{convert|400|m|ft|-2|abbr=off}}; flowing outwards from here are the rivers that divide the area into three sectors. "Forest" is used here in its original sense, meaning land used for hunting, rather than a woodland. The south-western sector, between the [[Glenderaterra Beck]] and Dash Beck, contains Skiddaw and its satellites.<ref name="wainwright">[[Alfred Wainwright|Wainwright, Alfred]]: ''[[A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells]], Book 5 The Northern Fells'': {{ISBN|0-7112-2458-7}}</ref>

Skiddaw itself takes the form of a north–south ridge about {{convert|1/2|mi|m|abbr=off}} long, with steep slopes to east and west. The ridge continues northwards over Broad End to [[Bakestall]], a fell overlooking the Whitewater Dash waterfall. Further ridges fan out east and west from the southern end of Skiddaw. To the south-east are [[Skiddaw Little Man]], [[Lonscale Fell]] and [[Latrigg]], an easily accessible viewpoint for Keswick and [[Derwentwater]]. Beyond these fells are the [[Glenderaterra Beck]] and the [[Blencathra]] group. The south-western ridge curves round through 180 degrees to run north above the shore of [[Bassenthwaite Lake]]. This gives Skiddaw an 'outer wall', comprising [[Carl Side]], [[Long Side]] and [[Ullock Pike]], collectively referred to as Longside Edge. The final member of the Skiddaw Group is [[Dodd (Lake District)|Dodd]], a satellite of Carl Side.

Between Skiddaw and Longside Edge are the quiet valleys of Southerndale and Barkbethdale, separated by the spur of Buzzard Knott. These drain the western flanks of the fell to Bassenthwaite Lake. The eastern side of Skiddaw drains into Skiddaw Forest, much of the water reaching Candleseaves Bog. This marsh is the source of both the Dash Beck flowing north west to Bassenthwaite and the [[River Caldew]], beginning its long journey north-eastward to the [[Solway Firth]] via [[Carlisle, Cumbria|Carlisle]]. Two smooth spurs on this eastern flank of Skiddaw, Sale How and Hare Crag, are listed as separate tops in some guidebooks.<ref name="birkett">Birkett, Bill: Complete Lakeland Fells: Collins Willow (1994): {{ISBN|0-00-713629-3}}</ref> Sale How is also a [[Nuttall (hill)|Nuttall]].

Skiddaw's slopes are generally rounded and convex, looking from a distance as though a thick velvet blanket has been draped over a supporting frame. On the ridges the general terrain is of loose stones, but elsewhere all is grass and heather. [[Alfred Wainwright|Wainwright]] noted that "Its lines are smooth, its curves graceful; but because the slopes are steep everywhere, the quick build-up of the “massif” from valley levels to central summit is appreciated at a glance — and it should be an appreciative glance, for such massive strength and such beauty of outline rarely go together."<ref name="wainwright" />