Walkhighlands

Sunday 16/08/2015. Met up with two mates, locally and travelled over to the Lakes making the decision en route as to where to go. Also in tow was a 2 yr old collie owned by one of the lads. Sunday was an unusual day for us, its normally a week day. Got to Braithwaite and parked up in the small car park area as you climb the hill. Got there at 08.30 and nabbed the last spot. Took the ascending path from the car park up through the heather in an initial lung bursting ,thigh burning start until the path levels out before the climb up to the shoulder of Grisedale pike. Descended from the top and took the path going the corrie edge to Hopegill head. From there descended to the col and then went up the shoulder of Grasmoor rather the trade route up to the next col. Its a shoulder route I've been using since around 2004 when initially it was unmarked. its now showing signs of erosion. Continued up to Grasmoor before dropping down to the col between Grasmoor and Crag hill. Instead of going straight up Crag hill we went over to the right on an ascending path which when you get to the top above Addacombe head gives excellent views of the Newlands valley. From there a path continues up to crag hill following the corrie edge up to the top. Continued onto Sail by the wide arête path and then down the created path which is unusually raised up from the ground at the side of it. It was at this point I made the mistake of lending my walking pole (I only take one ) to one of the lads as he was hobbling badly going downhill due to going running the day before. I was to regret it as I was in agony myself the next day. The route then took the descending path down towards the mines cutting off from the main paths and then back to the car.

Route up Grisedale Pike



Hopegill Head from Grisedale Pike



Path down from Grisedale Pike



Path to Hopegill head looking to Grisedale Pike



Shoulder of grasmoor



View into the Vale of Keswick from the shoulder of grasmoor



Shoulder of grasmoor



Buttermere Lake from grasmoor



Path down from Crag hill

Another fine lakes day Guinessman, shame you generosity with the pole cost you next day. I use two poles all the time now, I started just using them for downhill but found they can be really good uphill too....now I'm sort of addicted

The last few months have really outlined to me the benefits of poles. A few months back a pole I was using seized up and I couldn't use it for the day with the result that I could barely walk the next day. I then did 10 days off the belt in Scotland with new poles with no issues and then this result with lending the pole out. Think ill start carrying two!"

That's a fine round Guinessman with the pics giving a good indication of walking conditions . I too remember when there was little or no path on that way up Grasmoor and just goes to show how popular it is now Well done on a fine route. And the start from the car park is a bit of a ball breaker

Looks a great day in one of my favourite parts of the Lakes, thanks for sharing.