My first KR Guided walk of 2012 - the three Pikes of Ladyside, Hobcarton and Grisedale

Well not ideal weather but a group of seven braved the elements with me for my first KR Guided GroupWalk of the 2012 season.

Three Pikes is really a high level circuit of Hobcarton Gill, starting and finishing in Whinlatter Forest.  Yesterday we were soon in low cloud with a bit of rain. By the time we had climbed up to Ladyside Pike or Lady's Seat if you prefer the rain had stopped and we just got damp from the cloud - a good thing since Chloe's waterproof seemed to have seen better days!

Hobcarton Pike to ourselves

Care was needed on the scramble up to Hobcarton Pike (or Hopegill Head) since the rock was slippery in the wet but lunch was the reward. Up till then we had seen no one but as we walked along to Grisedale Pike we met a few other brave souls facing up to the cloud and increasing wind.

Then it was down over Hobcarton End into the forest and through the woods down to Braithwaite with 5 minutes to spare before the bus arrived for the return to Keswick.

a windy descent off Grisedale Pike

As Roy commented "Why don't more people come out with you? They would be guaranteed of an excellent walk whatever the conditions with no worries about route finding and knowing that they would be sure to learn something new about the Lake District. We've been coming as a family since the children were quite young; they are now in their 20s but we still find we all get our best days walking in the Lake District with KR"

He is quite right; our local knowledge means that we choose the best routes up and down; we can change the route if the weather turns; add an interesting extra bit if there is time before the bus comes; try to keep the wind on our backs and find a sheltered corner for lunch - and our dogs provide constant entertainment!

From Whiteside Pike along the ridge to Grisedale Pike

Old friends and new joined me for my KR Guided Walk up Whiteside yesterday.  With a good forecast the 77 bus over Whinlatter and round to our starting point at Lanthwaite Green was standing roon only.

A steep climb up through glorious heather over Whin Rigg and up to the Whiteside West top was rewarded by a superb view all the way along the ridge.

I love the feeling up here of being on the edge of the mountains. The coastal plain stretches out in one direction to the Solway Firth whilst in the other Grassmoor and Crag Hill are just the closest of many Lakeland Peaks.  



view along the ridge to Hopegill Head and Grisedale Pike

A bit hazy today but you could still see line upon line of ridges with Helvellyn cloud free to the east.





Lunch in a sheltered hoolow on the ridge was followed by Hopegill Head, Sand Hill and Grisedale Pike before carefully descending the ridge over Sleet How to Braithwaite



all the group on Grisedale Pike



Whiteside Ridge on a glorious day

One of my favourite walks in the Lake District especially in such glorious weather.  We took the 77 Honister Rambler bus round to Lanthwaite Green before climbing the rocky path up Whin Ben and on up to the beginning of Whiteside ridge.  The views back down over Crummock Water were stunning and as we climbed we could see more and more summits peeping out over the neighbouring ridges.

You can see from the picture how Whiteside got its name - the rocky outcrops on the eastern slopes of the ridge glistened in the sunshine. There is a mile of undulating, twisting ridge (and a stop for lunch and enjoying the view) to enjoy before you reach the summit of Hopegill Head.  Superb views to the east right across to Helvellyn, Langdale Pikes and Scafells as well as to the west across the Cumbrian coast to the Solway Firth, Scotland and, just visible, the Isle of Man.

From the summit of Hopegill Head another mile or so of ridge walking brought us to Grisedale Pike and a descent down the ridge to Braithwaite nad ice creams before catching the bus back to Keswick.

On Whiteside Edge with Hopegill Head behind

Keswick Rambles on Grisedale Pike

My first Keswick Rambles Guided walk of the new season.  We had a delightful day walking the western Lake District Fells with glorious views across to the coast and into the heart of the Lake District. 

scrambling to the top of Hobcarton Crag

The 77 Stagecoach bus (Honister Rambler) gives super access so that we could be dropped off a mile beyond the Whinlatter Visitor Centre in a perfect place to begin our walk. A grassy trail through the trees above Hobcarton Beck was followed by a steady grassy climb onto Ladyside Pike - otherwise known as Lady's Seat to match Lord'Seat on the opposite side of Whinlatter. Along the ridge and a short scramble later brought us to the top of Hopegill Head (Hobcarton Crag) and lunch.  After meeting no one all morning the Hobcarton Cafe - bring your own food - was busy with at least a dozen others enjoying this lovely view point for their lunch.

After strolling the long ridge along to Grisedale Pike we descended the grassy ridge to Hobcarton End completing our circuit of Hobcarton Gill. After tea and cake at the Whinlatter Visitor Centre it was a pleasant walk down through the woods to catch the bus back to Keswick from Braithwaite.

This walk is on offer again during the Keswick Mountain Festival in May and can be booked on http://www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk/