free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I'm now nine months behind on reports, so far behind I thought I'd broken the habit, apparently not it would seem.
With Hughie the Westie's little legs feeling the effects of age, limits have to be imposed as to the arduous nature of any hill walks. This route, although steep, wasn't too long and took in both Whiteside, needed for my second Wainwright round and Dodd, the final North West Birkett I had yet to visit.
The forecast was fairly good but with a chance of intermittent clag on the tops, turned out to be spot on this time.
It was a gorgeous morning in Lorton Vale as I set off from Lanthwaite Green, The steepness meant steady going but given the views behind and the sighting of a pair of Peregrines, regular stops were not a hardship.
Whin Ben and Whiteside
Warm light on Brackenthwaite Hows
Liza Beck
Lorton Vale
Gasgale Gill
Lorton Vale from the way up Whin Ben
Crystal Clear views to Bonnie Scotland
Whin Ben and the continuing climb to Whiteside
...and another look back on the Autumnal majesty of Lorton ValeWe were passed by a chap traveling light on his way up who was amazed by Hughie's progress up here and even more astonished when I informed him he'd completed the Wainwrights (and then some) and was over twelve years old. Off he went wishing us a happy day while me and Hughie had (yet another) rest.
As we gained height, the cloud lost it and we arrived on Whiteside summit around the same time as the clag. It was very atmospheric on the summit but once we started along the ridge the gloom descended fully to plunge us into a grey world along a stretch of ridge sometimes touted as Lakeland’s finest mile.
Hughie on his way up the ridge
Lowering cloud but fantastic light
Crummock Water and Lorton Vale
Here comes the clag
Atmospheric view of Crummock Water
Moody on Whiteside
Views disappearing
Bye, bye Crummock Water
Some Sunny optimism down Gasgale Gill
GloomyAs we started to gain height towards Hopegill Head things showed signs of improvement with glimpses of valley bottom to the north. Turned out my timing was perfect as we arrived on the top just as the clag started to strip away revealing the views from this wonderful summit. We had lunch taking it all in before taking a grand stroll back from whence we came towards Whiteside.
Signs of things clearing
Hopegill Head summit
Clearing towards Ladyside Pike
Cloud streaming over the ridge
An unimpressed Hughie
Getting clearer by the second
Hooray the ridge is clear!
Hughie checks out the way back along the ridge
Cloud lifting off Crag Hill
Looking back to Hopegill Head
Along the ridge to Whiteside
...and back along to Hopegill Head once again
Down to Gasgale GillFollowing this glorious traverse we headed off down Whiteside's Northern ridge towards the small eminence of Dodd. Unsurprisingly everyone had been left behind and we enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of a summit all to yourself, before walking along what seemed to be an old miners track to Cold Gill
Hughie heading down towards Dodd
Hughie on Dodd
White flash!It was an easy enough descent, if a little wet underfoot at times, and we were soon wandering along the path above the intake wall back to Lanthwaite Green enjoying the wonderful Autumnal colours on display.
Cold Gill
Cascades in Cold Gill
Autumnal Larches
Heading back to Lanthwaite Green
Dramatic Skies
Spotlight in the fields
More dramatic Skies
Across to Low Fell
On the path
Melbreak
Almost DoneAll in all an excellent day out which proved to be my last proper hill outing of 2021.
