Friday 13th January 2012

Start point: Lanthwaite Green (NY 159 208)

Lanthwaite Green - Grasmoor - Crag Hill - Wandope - Thirdgill Head Man - Whiteless Pike - Whiteless Breast - Low Bank - Rannerdale Knotts - Lanthwaite Green

Distance: 7.1 miles     Total Ascent: 1038 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours     Start Time: 09:00

Weather: Cold, very clear. 2oC

Route Map

As I passed through Ambleside In could see the blood red sky to the south east catching me. As I went through Keswick, I could see a lovely inversion forming over Derwent Water but I managed to press on regardless despite these fantastic condition to head for Buttermere. I was rewarded with the shot I wanted across early morning Buttermere and then a walk in absolute clarity on the north western fells, taking in Grasmoor by the direct route from Lanthwaite Green - a steep one and not for the faint hearted. As Wainwright described it 'On the whole, however, the climb is probably less difficult than the North Wall of the Eiger'!

Dawn at Buttermere.

Pink sky.

Beautiful red sky and reflections looking to Fleetwith Pike.

This photo was taken after the walk but shows today's route of ascent to Grasmoor - straight up!

Early morning Mellbreak from Lanthwaite Green.

At the foot of the (gulp!) climb.

Love the sky.

Low lying cloud in the Crummock Valley.

Climbing the scree slope.

Mellbreak from the scree. I was in the shade for the whole climb being on the north face of Grasmoor.

The Loweswater Fells.

Carling Knott and Burnbank Fell.

At the top of the grassy rake looking towards Whiteside.

There were many photos of Mellbreak today but there are great views from here.

Loweswater.

Whiteside and Gasgale Gill.

The view from the Pinnacle.

Climbing to Grasmoor End.

Made it...

...but there's still a fair walk to get to the summit from here. At least the going is easier and I am in the sunshine now.

Would you like ice with your drink Dougal?

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Dougal on the frosty summit.

Grasmoor summit.

Looking into the sunshine towards the Scafells.

Hopegill Head.

Hopegill; Head, Grisedale Pike and Skiddaw from Dove Crags.

Fabulous views for miles today.

Layers upon layers of fells.

Distant Skiddaw and Blencathra.

Looking back to the top of Grasmoor.

Crag Hill within touching distance. It wasn't on the agenda...but go on then.

Frozen pool at the crossroads.

The summit of Crag Hill and that trig. column is going to collapse soon (look at the bottom left of it).

Coledale panorama - select on the image to see a larger version.

Dougal and Casper on frosted Crag Hill.

Grasmoor from the descent.

Wandope.

Crag Hill from Wandope summit.

Whiteless Edge and Whiteless Pike from Thirdgill Head.

Looking back to Thirdgill Head and Wandope.

A view through to Helvellyn from Whiteless Pike, Ard Crags and Knott Rigg in the foreground.

Looking back from the descent of Whiteless Pike.

Rannerdale Knotts from Whiteless Breast.

Low Bank.

Crummock Water and Loweswater from Rannerdale Knotts summit.

Whiteless Pike looks shapely from here.

Descending towards Crummock Water and Mellbreak.

Grasmoor from Lanthwaite Green.

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