Whinlatter Pass, Ladyside Pike, Hopegill Head, Grisedale Pike, Cumbria. Wed 21 Feb 2007

I parked near the summit of the Whinlatter Pass road, the B5259, under an overcast sky. I hoped to get away with a gloomy but dry walk but as I was about to set off the drizzle started. It was fairly light but I needed full waterproofs. I set off west heading slightly downhill towards Swinside Houses. It is a very quiet road at this time of day and I don’t think I saw more that a couple of vehicles during my walk along the road. Swinside Houses are a pair of semi-detached properties that seemed to be empty but complete. I have passed and seen a car outside, but not today. I took the next gate to the left which has no path marker or public path shown on the map but is mentioned in Wainwright’s ‘The North Western Fells’ book.

As the green lane reaches the pine trees and turn sharp left it deteriorates into a difficult rut with a fence alongside. I found it much easier to walk alongside the wall until it reached the forestry trail further on. Then the going was much easier and continuing straight on soon came to the gate that took me into open ground. A diagonal path took my up the fell a bit before reaching a wire fence that took a direct line steeply up the fell to the right. Wainwright described the climb as ‘dull’ but I took my time and enjoyed the surrounding scenery with several short stops on the way.

Hopegill Head from Ladyside Pike.

As I got higher I approached a level of swirling mist but it came and went and by the time I got to the top I had a reasonable view but couldn’t take any pictures into the wind because of the drizzle blowing my way. I turned south towards Ladyside Pike and on to Hopegill Head. It is a very impressive route and this is the third time I’ve done it, each time in winds, cloud and rain. If I keep at it I may get a sunny day!

As the last time at Hopegill Head I stopped in the gully to shelter and eat my sandwiches. This time I had a bit of a view and could see across to the impressive Grisedale Pike. I set off again and headed to the crest of Hobcarton Crag. Looking down into the bowl shaped valley I watched a curtain of rain blow across and being briefly caught in some sunshine generating a partial rainbow. At the summit of Grisedale Pike I descended to the north east ridge, a ridge I’d never been on before. It was a nice descent and took me easily down to the forest road at Revelin Moss. It was then only a short walk back to the road and my car.

Partial rainbow from Hopegill Head.