UK Mountains Expedition Report

Peaks climbed : Whiteless Pike (660m), Wandope (772m), Grassmoor (852m), Sand Hill (756m), Hopegill Head (770m), Hobcarton Crag (739m), Crag Hill (839m), Sail (773m), Scar Crags(672m), Causey Pike (637m)

Total Distance : 20km, Total Ascent : 1,375m

This time, my driver deposited me and a lonely car park a few miles out of Buttermere village on the shores of Crummock Water. The plan was to bag some new peaks on a route over to a small hamlet near the Western shore of Derwent Water.

Setting off, I followed a path running parallel to the Buttermere road before turning uphill above Buttermere village. This was the first peak; Whiteless Pike (660m). It is a good serious climb up but the reward of ever expanding views gave good opportunity for 'photo breaks'. Crummock Water is just 100m above sea level and Whiteless Pike at 660m means that 560m of altitude is gained in about 1 1/2km which is a good rate of ascent by any standards and left me breathless at the top.

The day was clear and consulting my map allowed me to figure out the next hour or more of walking by sight, always welcome. It was slightly North East to pick off Wandope (772m) then swing left to take on the imposing Grassmoor which at 852m would be the high point of the day. Several cairns on the route gave false summits but eventually the final (real) summit came into view with a convenient circular shelter. Having been walking for around 1 1/2 hours I decided on a break for a hot drink and a goodie bar

Setting off slightly left of my ascent path I headed for Sand Hill (756m) and Hopegill Head (770m). A big descent into the saddle made Sand Hill look higher and higher whereas from Grassmoor it looked quite straightforward. A steady ascent on rocky ground eventually bought me to the top and it was a relatively easy few minutes to Hopegill Head. I stood on the summit briefly, then headed off as it was very windy and quite cold, promising myself a break when I could.

The path to Hobcarton Crag (739m) went due East then slightly North. I was relieved to discover that it was the near summit and not the far one which was Grisedale Pike (791m) - that would be for another day. I still had a long way to go, and whilst it was tempting, my day was long enough! Back down towards the saddle again, I found the ideal spot for lunch; out of the wind, close to water so the dog could take a drink and with great views.

Even in the lee of the hills, it wasn't warm so I soon set off again, back up the hill that I had descended earlier from Grassmoor, but once at the top, turned left (Eastward) onto the final ridge and group of peaks. First to go was Crag Hill (839m) which gave me a great view of the route ahead. Not sure that was necessarily a good thing, but it did mean that I didn't need my map until the final descent.

Sail (773m) and Scar Crags (672m) were dispatched with relative ease, although my legs were quite tired from the previous climbs. That just left Causey Pike (637m) which has a very rocky top. As it turned out, it was easier than I'd expected and I was soon on the summit looking down towards the hamlet of Stair and my pickup point. One minor lump stood in my way and I would be down. My estimated completion time of 4pm looked to be easy and I fully expected to arrive with time to spare. I should have known!

Descending to the lump was easy enough but I got onto the wrong path (although with hindsight it was the right one!), but soon realised and made my way back up to the ridge path through tiring heather undergrowth. Following the thin track through the ferns it seemed easy. Then the trouble started. At the path got steeper, so the rocks became more exposed. It was raining quite hard at this point which made the rock slippier and slowed progress considerably. Slowly making my way down, the time ticked away and I realised that, not only would I not be early, I would be much later than my planned time. Steady progress eventually bought me to easier ground and as I looked to my left, I realised that the path I'd originally taken would have bought me to an excellent track leading to the same place! Oh well, I'll know for next time. Arriving at the road I had a slight detour around a field and down to the Village Hall and meeting point. In the end I was just 15 minutes later than estimated which I was happy with.

Peaks climbed : Whiteside (707m), Whiteside East (719m), Hopegill Head (770m), Ladyside Pike (703m), Hobcarton Crag (739m), Grisedale Pike (791m), Hobcarton End (634m)

Total Distance : 11km, Total Ascent : 909m

Leaving the car from the Buttermere road it was across a field and straight up! A bit of a shock to the system as the incline neared 45 degrees on very slippery scree rocks. I slowly made my way up, using a combination of walking poles and pulling on the heather to make progress, which at times seemed extremely hard work as my feet slipped backwards. Even Rosie the dog was finding it hard going.

Eventually we reached better ground and the inclination eased considerably but we were within 100m vertical height of the summit. The first summit is 12m lower than the main summit and named after Wainwright for reasons I know not, but will endeavour to discover. Turns out it's simply the one he chose as the summit even though it's not the highest point. Walking to the main summit was easy and I was soon there. Declining to stop I headed onwards for Hopegill Head, the clear day meant I could see pretty much my entire route ahead which was nice.

I'd visited Hopegill Head on a previous visit to this region so I only stopped briefly before heading down a very steep rocky track to pick up the outlier of Ladyside Pike. I decided it was probably easier ascending than descending (it was) so made my way carefully down safe in the knowledge that this was the hardest part of this particular mountain. Ladyside Pike is nothing special but it was time for a break so I sat down, gave Rosie some food and drink and enjoyed a goodie bar and some water in the sunshine.

Soon enough it was time to go and retrace my steps to Hopegill Head which did indeed prove much easier going back up. Hobcarton Crag followed quickly and easily and it was on to Grisedale Pike, the highest of the day, which actually turned out to be a bit of an anti-climax as it was an easy ascent and soon over.

My final peak of the day was actually the lowest: Hobcarton End and actually would have been climbed anyway as it was directly on the route to the finish. Quickly dispatched as it was nothing more than a lump I descended towards the forest, and being able to see the forest track, gained confidence that it was more or less all done - should have known better with a forest approaching! Entering the forest I could see the main track that I needed but suddenly 'Bang', the path disappeared, having been destroyed by digger tracks, there was nothing for it than to make my way downhill in roughly the same direction I had been going. This involved some serious up and down through the tracks until I finally emerged onto the trail. Disoriented I figured a right turn would bring me down to the main trail, which indeed it did and I was soon at the main road, and soon after entering the car park of the visitor centre where my ride home was waiting.

Peaks climbed : Robinson (737m), Hindscarth (727m), Dale Head (756m), High Spy (653m), Blea Crag (634m)

Total Distance : 17km, Total Ascent : 2,112m

I wanted a walk that I could do in an afternoon and the Dale Head circuit fitted the bill nicely. The previous couple of days good weather had come to an end and it was raining heavily, although the afternoon promised much better weather.

Straight after lunch I headed out for the short drive to Newlands Church in the Buttermere valley. There is a car park very close to the church and ideal for the circuit although it is just over a very narrow bridge so not for the faint hearted! Parking charges are £3 for the day via an honesty box which is just right for such parking and something I have no problem with.

Setting off, the route passes the very pleasant church which would be worth a visit in its own right. Along a track that soon passes into open countryside with a signpost proclaiming Robinson at 2 miles distant. I followed the valley along, gaining height slowly, then more steeply as the path rises alongside the stream. I realised that I should be ascending more and so took the decision to head more or less straight up, eventually meeting the path that I probably should have followed from the start. No matter I'd gained the same height in the same distance. Ascending Robinson I climbed into cloud and realised that I was starting to get damp, more from the humidity than anything else, but it was also getting a bit cold so decided that I would do something about it once on the summit.

The summit appeared out of the mist and I stopped for a couple of minutes to change my hat for a beanie and add my waterproof jacket, more for warmth than anything else. Heading off, the path curves and descends soon leaving the mist behind and opening up excellent views of the path ahead to Hindscarth. There would be no problem with route finding as it was a good wide track that led up. Already warm again I stopped and removed my jacket, electing to keep the beanie on as my head was still a little chilly.

Hindscarth was soon dispatched as the actual height gain was not that great. The views from the top were awesome, all around were mountains. Not wanting to wait too long, I set off for the highest peak of the day, Dale Head which again yielded quickly. The view down the valley between the mountains was amazing. Here the route turns back in the direction of the start and it seems to be the homeward leg, although there were still some miles to walk. High Spy is in fact, 100 metres lower in altitude but there is a significant descent down to the tarn on a stony and uneven path. Of course the tarn is at a lower altitude than High Spy which means, although it is not as high as Dale Head, there is still some climbing to be done but it was soon dispatched, in fact, less than 15 minutes later I was on the summit. There is a final summit to claim; Blea Crag which is barely a summit in its own right and from this direction virtually no climbing up or down is required.

It is a long trek back from here, initially losing significant height, then almost flat for a while until the path skirts Maiden Moor followed by a steep descent to the col. The route back to the car takes a left turn and again loses height rapidly before flattening again for the final half mile or so. The car park doesn't come into view until the final bend and it is a relief to see it, although by now the path is right in the valley so there is little additional height that could be lost.

Nuttall claims 9 1/2 miles. My watch told me about 11 miles in total.