Wednesday 4th February 2009

Start point: Revelin Moss Car Park (NY 249 242)

Comb Bridge - Grisedale Pike - Hobcarton Head - Hopegill Head - Ladyside Pike - Swinside Plantation - Hobcarton Plantation - Comb Bridge

Distance: 6.2 miles     Total Ascent: 744 metres     Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Cold but overcast. 2oC.

Route Map

It was a completely different day to yesterday as it was overcast and the sky was grey and flat. Things were a lot warmer as it was very still and today I was joined by Andy Lang on this circuit of Hobcarton. The ice was treacherous once again in places, notably on the climb to Hopegill Head and then the rocky descent to join the Ladyside Pike ridge.

At the foot of the steep climb to Grisedale Pike from Comb Bridge. There is even a little bit of blue sky up there.

Looking across Hospital Plantation to Skiddaw in cloud.

Still plenty of snow around and not a breath of wind today making it feel much warmer than yesterday.

Casper shows how steep the route is. Easy enough to navigate though, just follow the wall.

Heading for Grisedale Pike.

Looking across to the Sleet How ridge to Grisedale Pike.

All is icy up here.

Wind blown ice on an old fence post.

An icy close up.

Hobcarton Head from the summit of Grisedale Pike.

Crag Hill across Coledale.

Casper on Grisedale Pike.

Looking along the ridge to Hobcarton End.

Hobcarton Head, Sand Hill and Hopegill Head.

Descending the path to Hobcarton head.

Casper leads the way.

Looking back to Grisedale Pike.

Hobcarton.

Hopegill Head and Ladyside Pike, our route of descent today.

Following the invisible men?

Grisedale Pike and Hobcarton Head from the climb to Hopegill Head. It was crampons time once more for this section of the icy climb.

Hobcarton Crag looks a bit black and white today.

Casper wonders why Andy has crampons on. Get away from the edge boy (and you Casper!).

The Crag Hill - Sail - Causey Pike ridge over Sand Hill with a big snow cornice in the foreground.

Hopegill Head.

The mist swirling around Ladyside Pike.

Andy shows how to descend the tricky, steep and icy section from Hopegill Head's summit.

A view through the mist into Hopegill.

Ladyside Pike.

A cold looking Hopegill Head from Ladyside Pike.

Swinside from Ladyside Pike.

At the foot of the descent from the Swinside ridge. It was into Swinside Plantation now to head back to the car.

Back on the straight and narrow.

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