Grisedale Pike and Hopegill Head
Grisedale Pike | 2595' |
Hopegill Head | 2526' |
Total Ascent | 2700' |
Date 03/03/2007
Walks done by: Jed, Susan, Lesley and Troy
Weather: Sunny spells, and chilly at times. Occasional low cloud but good views
Distance 9.5 miles.
Started at: Braithwaite
We all met at the Dressers at Wheelton at 8am. Troy was hesitant about getting in a strange car but was fine once I'd lifted him in. And then we were off, speeding up the M6 heading for Braithwaite. After the late start to our previous walk we made amends this time and had parked up in Braithwaite and on our way by 10.10.
After half a mile I realised we had taken a wrong path and so we took the decision to climb the steep, very steep slope to meet the path on the ridge to Kinn. Hell, it was hard work, however, Lesly and Troy had no problem with it at all, but eventually we made it and reached the grassy path. There isnt much level walking to the summit of Grisedale Pike, but nothing that followed was as bad as that first climb.
After getting our breath back on the slight descent from Kinn, we began the climb to Sleet How. There are some erosion barriers on this section and we had a brief rest at each one, which made the climb feel a bit easier than it actually is. There is a flattish section on Sleet How before the final steep and rocky climb/scramble to the summit.
This was Troys first mountain walk and he loved it and behaved really well. He climbed the rocky sections with ease too. This could be the first of many walks for him. As for the rest of us, to be honest we did the last section with ease too. The views were superb. After taking a couple of photo's at the summit we decided to continue up to Hopegill Head. It was very windy on the top and we took refuge in an old shelter and had our lunch. Troy had sausages which he devoured, and would have kliked some of Susan's roast beef - but none was forthcoming!! Share and share alike is our motto. So after we had finished the sandwiches I passed a Curly Wurly to Susan and Lesley. Lesley devoured hers - some two hours later she realised she'd given chocolate up for Lent - oh well - off to confession for Lesley!!
After lunch we did the walk along Hobcarton Crag and the final 350 ft climb to Hopegill Head where again we enjoyed fabulous views. After 10 minutes there we headed off towards Sand Hill and on down to Coledale Hause. From there we took the mine road back to Braithwaite.
We had several drinks, and Troy a bowl of water and a bag of crisps in the pleasant and dog friendlyColedale Arms. Troy also enjoyed the attention of many of the patrons.
We then set off for home, me and Troy falling asleep on the motorway section. So thanks to Susan and Lesley and Troy for their company. It was a really great day.
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Looking down
the steep slope we climbed at the start of the walk |
...and still
this to climb | |
| ||
Looking back
over Braithwaite and Keswick | ||
The grassy
path to Kinn's top | ||
| ||
The Vale of
Keswick | ||
Grisedale Pike
from Kinn. Thankfully the rain cloud had cleared when we reached the
summit | ||
The path up to
Sleet How and then the final path to the summit | ||
The pitted and
steep path up to Sleet How | ||
Lesley and
Susan with the path along Kinn's ridge behind them | ||
Grisedale Pike
- at this point we thought we'd seen the last of the
sunshine | ||
| ||
The steep and
rocky path to the summit | ||
Troy, having a
great time, though I had him on a lead at this point |
And this is
looking up the final section to the summit | |
Susan and
Lesley chat about something - I couldn't make a guess as to
what!!! | ||
Preaching - no
just admiring the spectacular views | ||
Looking down on the path along Sleet How | ||
Lesley and
Susan nearing the summit | ||
Troy spots the
summit cairn | ||
Lesley and
Susan with the Vale of Keswick way below | ||
The
summit. | ||
Susan and
Lesley looking down Grisedale valley | ||
All of us atop
the summit , with Troy hidden behind | ||
Hopegill Head
from the slopes of Grisedale Pike | ||
Looking down
on Force Crag with the mine road beyond. That was our path of
descent | ||
Troy admiring
the view. | ||
Looking back
to Barrow and Derwent Water | ||
The 350 foot
climb to Hopegill Head looms large | ||
Zooming in on
the craggy face of Hopegill Head | ||
| ||
Looking back
along the ridge to Grisedale Pike from Hobcarton Crag | ||
| ||
Troy on his
second summit | ||
The path from
Hopegill Head to Sand Hill | ||
...and looking
down Sand Hill to Coledale Hause | ||
| ||
Troy on the
slopes of Sand Hill | ||
Looking down
Coledale | ||
Stile End
| ||
Troy, Susan
& Lesley cross the beck crossing the mine road above Force Crag
mine. |
And Force Crag
Mine | |
Looking back
to Force Crag | ||
Susan and Lesley amble along the mine road back to Braithwaite chin wagging about things I couldn't guess at!! Meanwhile I was picturing a pint of lager on the bar with condensation running down the side of the glass.at the Coledale Hotel | ||
..and Troy was
too!! Although he only got a bowl of water and a bag of Seabrook Ready
salted crisps on the house | ||
Clough Head
from the mine road as we approached Braithwaite | ||
Two final pictures - left Lesley
searches for a CD at 66 miles per hour - and right, Susan driving on the
M6 |