Please make sure you check the online site guide for any updates before flying

SSE - SW + Nil Wind

Jenkin Hill

Key Facts

Location

N Lakes - Skiddaw

Details

A brilliant site, big and generally smooth, giving spectacular flying over a large area of mountains and lakes.
Best in light winds with sun warmed southerly slopes.
Best take offs are above the heather line on grass.
Once above the 600m contour there are many take off areas between Jenkin and Little Man.
Best not to scratch the slope below the heather line, get to the landing field while you can.
Excellent top landing and bottom landing.

Site Officer

Rick Livingstone : 07761187016

Access

Postcode for Sat Nav Systems

CA12 4PH

Underscar Manor (Underscar hotel on map). The postcode centre is on the access road to the car park about 1km to the west.

Getting There

Approach via a minor road which branches off from the large roundabout at the junction of the A66(T) and the A591 north of Keswick. After 800m a very sharp right turn winds up to the Latrigg "Monument" car park. Please park as tight as possible as this is a relatively small but very popular car parking area. Do not park on the fell side of the gate at the end of the car park - there is no permission from the current owners. You can drive through to drop gear off but do not leave your car here.

Getting to takeoff

Take the small gate at the south west end of the Monument car park area and head north following the track past the Monument and onto the slopes of Jenkin Hill.

XC potential

Excellent potential both downwind and, in the right conditions, for achieving large triangle flights. Keep well forward of windy gap if flying east towards Blencathra.

Permission to use site

Mirehouse, Applethwaite, and Ormathwaite Hall. Contact Northern Sites Officer prior to flying for an update on T.O. or landing restrictions.

Briefing

Hazards

Be aware of any wind gradient and keep well forward in strong conditions.

This is a south facing massif with large areas of scree/rock which can create booming thermals in the right conditions - be ready!

Beware of a light wind at take off then being difficult to penetrate at 3000' / 915m.

Can be affected quite early by a sea breeze that then makes conditions very rough - especially in the gulleys. This would come from the West/WNW along Bassenthwaite Lake and can make the site unusable.

There are many of military aircraft in this area during the week. The site should be notamed.

The area out in the valley, to the west, towards Bassenthwaite Lake is an Osprey nesting area and care must be taken April-August.

Take Off

PG pilots must make the longer carry up to near the summit slopes of Jenkin Hill. Hangliders can take off just by the gate approx. half way up to Jenkin.

Once above the 600m contour there are many take off areas between Jenkin and Little Man.

Landing Areas

OK to slope land on Jenkin Hill - beware of other wings taking off on busy days.

Best not to scratch the slope below the heather line, get to the landing field while you can.

The only approved Jenkin Landing Field is the field to the LEFT of the path to Jenkin as you leave the car park. It is a big field which we have permission to use even when it has stock in it - although keep well away from any sheep with lambs. The field slopes downwards increasingly at its western end. Be wary of the wind direction not being the same as on the hill you have just flown - although the site takes a southerly wind, the wind in the landing field may well flow from East or west through the small "valley" between Latrigg and Skiddaw. A windsock is useful here.

Only use either the designated Jenkin landing field (as this guide) OR the Latrigg designated landing fields if available (see Latrigg guide for details). Do not land in any other fields at the foot of Latrigg.

Flying

Hangliders - Can be quite a carry but well worth it. The HG take-off is just beyond the fell gate (1850' / 564m asl). An easy site to fly.

Avoid ground skimming due to ground nesting birds.

XC potential

Excellent potential both downwind and, in the right conditions, for achieving large triangle flights. Keep well forward of windy gap if flying east towards Blencathra.

Jenkin Hill Map