Whiteless Pike, Wandope, Crag Hill & Grasmoor -
Monday 24 December 2018
Route
Rannerdale - Low Bank - Whiteless Breast - Whiteless Pike - Whiteless Edge - Thirdgill Head Man - Wandope - Crag Hill - Grasmoor - Lad Hows - Rannerdale
Parking
Rannerdale just off the B5289, North East of Hause Point (Free) - Grid Reference NY163184
Mileage
8 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout. The descent from Grasmoor via Lad Hows is extremely steep for approximately 400m - most of this is on loose stone.
Weather
Gloriously sunny with excellent visibility.
Time Taken
6hrs
Total Ascent
2926ft (892m)
Wainwrights
4
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Rannerdale - Low Bank - Whiteless Breast - Whiteless Pike - Whiteless Edge - Thirdgill Head Man - Wandope - Crag Hill - Grasmoor - Lad Hows - Rannerdale
Parking
Rannerdale just off the B5289, North East of Hause Point (Free) - Grid Reference NY163184
Mileage
8 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout. The descent from Grasmoor via Lad Hows is extremely steep for approximately 400m - most of this is on loose stone.
Weather
Gloriously sunny with excellent visibility.
Time Taken
6hrs
Total Ascent
2926ft (892m)
Wainwrights
4
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
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GPX File
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Walk Description
The North Western Fells on the eastern side of Crummock Water near Buttermere offer excellent walking and are therefore popular. Today we decided to walk the 4 Wainwrights of Whiteless Pike, Wandope, Crag Hill & Grasmoor however there is also the option to add in a fifth (Rannerdale Knotts) for very little extra effort. There are many options from where to start todays route with parking areas at Cinderdale Common, Rannerdale & the village of Buttermere - we opted for the one at Rannerdale just up from Hause Point and whilst it is only a small area, getting there fairly early as we did today should guarantee you a spot.
The sun was not quite up as we left the parking area to head away from the lake through Rannerdale to reach the footbridge over Squat Beck. From here and if time is not on your side then a direct ascent of Whiteless Pike can be made although we chose to remain on the southern side of the beck to head up Low Bank to meet the path coming up from Buttermere. A 100 or so yards short of the junction of paths a grass track branches off which joins the main path from Buttermere to head up Whiteless Breast. This is a gradual ascent on a good path eventually steepening markedly to gain the summit of Whiteless Pike.
The views from the summit are spectacular, especially to the next part of the route down to Saddle Gate and over Whiteless Edge. The walk is exhilarating and looks precarious but this is not the case and the summit of Thirdgill Head Man is soon gained and provides a fantastic view of Grasmoor from the cairn. The next summit of Wandope can be seen a few hundred or so yards to the east and is reached via a fairly level grassy section - again the views are superb, particularly into Addacomb Hole. To reach the next summit of Crag Hill there are two options - either follow the escarpment of Addacomb Hole or head for the col between Grasmoor & Crag Hill. We chose the former which eventually joined the path coming up from the col and is marked by several cairns.
Crag Hill's summit is vast and is marked by a Trig Point, several cairns & shelters. The views on a day like we had today were just stunning, particularly down into Coledale and over to Skiddaw & Blencathra. Retracing our steps from the summit the route heads down gently to the col at a crossroad of paths. We headed straight over the junction and started the steep climb up Grasmoor eventually reaching a cairn at the top of the rise. From the cairn the terrain evens out and the remainder of the transit is over mostly level ground to reach the large plateau, the western end of which houses Grasmoor's summit marked by a cairn shelter. Whilst the summit commands grand views it is worth making the out & back to the far western cairn, particularly for the view over to the ridge on Whiteside.
Tearing ourselves away from Grasmoor it was now time to make our descent back to Rannerdale. The route down starts by heading back to a small cairn which marks the turning point off the main path to head steeply down to Lad Hows. The path at first is steep for some 400 yards or so and is made up of loose stone which needs taking time over - particularly in snow, ice or after rain. Soon the gradient eases and it is a pleasant walk to then gain the summit of Lad Hows to then turn north west to meet Cinderdale Beck. From the beck the path drops gently down to reach the footbridge over Squat Beck to follow the first part of the outward route back to the Car Park near Hause Point.
What a way to spend Christmas Eve!!
The sun was not quite up as we left the parking area to head away from the lake through Rannerdale to reach the footbridge over Squat Beck. From here and if time is not on your side then a direct ascent of Whiteless Pike can be made although we chose to remain on the southern side of the beck to head up Low Bank to meet the path coming up from Buttermere. A 100 or so yards short of the junction of paths a grass track branches off which joins the main path from Buttermere to head up Whiteless Breast. This is a gradual ascent on a good path eventually steepening markedly to gain the summit of Whiteless Pike.
The views from the summit are spectacular, especially to the next part of the route down to Saddle Gate and over Whiteless Edge. The walk is exhilarating and looks precarious but this is not the case and the summit of Thirdgill Head Man is soon gained and provides a fantastic view of Grasmoor from the cairn. The next summit of Wandope can be seen a few hundred or so yards to the east and is reached via a fairly level grassy section - again the views are superb, particularly into Addacomb Hole. To reach the next summit of Crag Hill there are two options - either follow the escarpment of Addacomb Hole or head for the col between Grasmoor & Crag Hill. We chose the former which eventually joined the path coming up from the col and is marked by several cairns.
Crag Hill's summit is vast and is marked by a Trig Point, several cairns & shelters. The views on a day like we had today were just stunning, particularly down into Coledale and over to Skiddaw & Blencathra. Retracing our steps from the summit the route heads down gently to the col at a crossroad of paths. We headed straight over the junction and started the steep climb up Grasmoor eventually reaching a cairn at the top of the rise. From the cairn the terrain evens out and the remainder of the transit is over mostly level ground to reach the large plateau, the western end of which houses Grasmoor's summit marked by a cairn shelter. Whilst the summit commands grand views it is worth making the out & back to the far western cairn, particularly for the view over to the ridge on Whiteside.
Tearing ourselves away from Grasmoor it was now time to make our descent back to Rannerdale. The route down starts by heading back to a small cairn which marks the turning point off the main path to head steeply down to Lad Hows. The path at first is steep for some 400 yards or so and is made up of loose stone which needs taking time over - particularly in snow, ice or after rain. Soon the gradient eases and it is a pleasant walk to then gain the summit of Lad Hows to then turn north west to meet Cinderdale Beck. From the beck the path drops gently down to reach the footbridge over Squat Beck to follow the first part of the outward route back to the Car Park near Hause Point.
What a way to spend Christmas Eve!!
The parking area at Rannerdale near Hause Point
Whiteless Pike from the footbridge over Squat Beck. This was not our route of ascent - instead of crossing the bridge we headed up the southern bank of the beck via Low Bank to join the path coming up from Buttermere.
Grasmoor & Whiteless Pike from Low Bank - the sun was almost up
Eventually the path splits - the right fork heads for Buttermere whilst the left one heads up to join the ridge to Whiteless Pike
The High Stile Ridge & Buttermere provides the backdrop as we join the path to Whiteless Pike
The moon about to disappear as the sun takes the watch.
The path along Low Bank can be seen below the whale-shaped Rannerdale Knotts with Mellbreak behind over Crummock Water.
The path along Low Bank can be seen below the whale-shaped Rannerdale Knotts with Mellbreak behind over Crummock Water.
Whiteless Pike, Thirdgill Head Man & Wandope from the ridge path.
The sun was now fully up and it looked like we were going to be in for a really good weather day.
The sun was now fully up and it looked like we were going to be in for a really good weather day.
And here is the sun - popping up over the flank of Robinson
Continuing up the ridge path to Whiteless Pike - I think I hear Fudge laughing at me as I blow for tugs
The ridge path up Whiteless Pike is a delightful transit - Red Pike, Starling Dodd & Great Borne are to the rear
A closer look at Thirdgill Head Man & Wandope with Sail & Causey Pike added in for good measure
When walking a route like this in such fantastic conditions it is best not to rush it - take the time to stop and appreciate the views on offer.
Red Pike, Starling Dodd & Great Borne with Rannerdale Knotts in the foreground.
Grasmoor and our route of descent via Lad Hows
The glorious panoramic vista from the summit of Whiteless Pike
With Fudge on Whiteless Pike's summit - just a glorious day
Looks precarious but it isn't.
The transit from Whiteless Pike to Saddle Gate then along Whiteless Edge to Thirdgill Head Man is an absolute delight
The transit from Whiteless Pike to Saddle Gate then along Whiteless Edge to Thirdgill Head Man is an absolute delight
Wandope from Whiteless Edge
Looking back to Whiteless Pike from Whiteless Edge
Grasmoor from the summit of Thirdgill Head Man
A panorama of Grasmoor, Crag Hill & Wandope
Fudge on the summit of Wandope looking to Crag Hill & Sail
Crag Hill, Sail & Addacomb Hole
Wandope & Addacomb Hole from the ascent of Crag Hill
The view from the summit of Crag Hill.
Grisedale Pike is to the left with Outerside & Barrow centre right in the valley & Causey Pike sits to the right with Skiddaw & Blencathra to the rear. Great Mell Fell is in the far distance to the right with Cross Fell & the Pennines way distant.
Grisedale Pike is to the left with Outerside & Barrow centre right in the valley & Causey Pike sits to the right with Skiddaw & Blencathra to the rear. Great Mell Fell is in the far distance to the right with Cross Fell & the Pennines way distant.
The summit of Crag Hill
Our ascent of Grasmoor from Crag Hill - the path coming in from the right is the one from Coledale Hause
Looking back to Crag Hill from the ascent of Grasmoor
Layers of fells as we ascend Grasmoor
The first part of the ascent of Grasmoor is quite steep however from the cairn on the skyline all the hard work is done as the terrain levels out.
Thirdgill Head Man & Whiteless Pike from the approach to Grasmoor
The view from the cairn to Grasmoor's summit
Looking back to the cairn along Grasmoor's summit ridge
Approaching Grasmoor's summit
The wide expanse of Grasmoor's summit
One of several shelters on the summit of Grasmoor
Grasmoor's summit plateau
The summit of Grasmoor offers superb views to the west
The view from Grasmoor's western cairn to the superb ridge on Whiteside
Heading for Lad Hows with Whiteless Pike ahead. Robinson & High Snockrigg are visible over Whiteless Pike's summit.
The steep & stony descent down Lad Hows
Continuing the descent there is a fine view of Thirdgill Head Man & Whiteless Edge
A closer view of Thirdgill Head Man
With the loose scree & steepness negotiated the gradient eased on Lad Hows
Looking back to Grasmoor from Rannerdale
Whiteless Pike
Rannerdale Knotts at sunset - another great day out