Stybarrow Dodd

The first of the Dodds north of Sticks Pass, a smooth rounded grassy dome that sets the pattern for the whole group: sweeping, easy grass with almost no landmarks. The walking is gentle, so the hazard is navigational — in cloud or snow this featureless ground is a classic place to lose your bearings — with only the small outcrop of Deepdale Crag and the steep eastern slopes to Deepdale breaking the grass. Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team covers this ground.

• Featureless grassy plateau (navigation): Almost all grass with few features, the Dodds are a notorious place to go wrong in mist or whiteout — easy to drift off a vague bearing into the wrong valley. Take and trust a compass bearing before leaving the summit; don't navigate by the feel of the slope.
• Steep eastern slopes / Deepdale Crag: The eastern side drops steeply into Deepdale, with the small outcrop of Deepdale Crag. Keep to the broad higher ground in cloud and don't drift toward the steeper eastern edge.
• Exposure & winter on the open dome: High, open and shelterless, the dome holds snow and is fully exposed to wind. In winter the lack of features makes navigation harder still and the slopes can be icy — carry full winter kit and the skills to navigate blind.

Most common causes: Navigation errors on the featureless grassy plateau in cloud or whiteout · Drifting toward the steep eastern slopes into Deepdale · Exposure and disorientation in winter on the open dome · Underestimating an 'easy' fell that is hard to navigate in poor visibility

Local Mountain Rescue: Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team (opens in new tab) · Reviewed 14 Jun 2026

Safety: Hazard guidance compiled from published Mountain Rescue reports and well-documented accident history - editorial background, not a live feed of callouts. Always check current conditions, carry proper navigation equipment, and seek qualified instruction before heading onto the fells. In an emergency, call 999, ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.

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