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Braithwaite - Coledale Hause - Grisedale Pike - Hopegill Head - Sandy Hill - Coledale Hause - Grasmoor - Wandope - Crag Hill (Eel Crag) - Sail - Outerside - Braithwaite
"What a difference a day makes" ... NO not a cue for a song, just a comment on this weekends weather.
It absolutely chucked it down on the Saturday giving my walking partner an excuse to go and have a few pints that night (as he thought we would not be going on the Sunday). How wrong was he as 08:00 this morning threw out a bit of ground mist and blue skies.
I was in truth a little tired myself so ditched the plans for either Scafell Pike or Pillar and went further afield in search of some rock based mountains that wouldn't be that boggy !
Grisedale Pike came top of the list from my previous searches so off we went (Damson and I) through our glorious sun strewn Lakes upto Braithwaite. The local vicar was also in a good mood as he offered me a parking space outside the church hall and offered me use of the facilities ... no not prayer cushions or bibles!!
From here past the pub and found our way through the wood to the path leading upto Coledale Hause past the disused mine.
After the steepish climb upto Coledale Hause I headed right up onto Grisedale Pike (probably should have spent a few more minutes at start of walk to find direct path up here but the valley was beautiful and a nice gentle start to todays precedings).
From here back to Hopegill Head along the ridge, with spectacular views out north towards Lord's Seat over the forest.
From Hopegill Head we returned to Coledale Hause over Sandy Hill to start the second section of the walk to the south of Coledale Valley. After walking to the top of the Hause we headed right up a steep section that sapped the energy from my legs and onto the furthest point of our walk on top of Grasmoor.
A large bunch of lads were atop the fell (one playing with a homemade kite made from a bin bag) that I later found out was a Stag Party (as the Stag was made to dress in a 1920 style bright blue dress which apparently cost £16.99 - They were ripped off in my opinion and proof is in the picture below). I couldn't make up my mind whether the Stag was the lead singer from the Lancashire Hotpots !!
Great views from this point along the Buttermere / Crummock Water / Loweswater Valley and out to the coast.
More great views out north towards the Scafells and Gables
I returned from whence I came back to the top of the Hause and a little detour to the edge summit of Wandope before another trudge of a climb onto Crag Hill / Eel Crag.
On reaching the summit I requested my picture taken from a couple of lads who were sorting their own photos out!
Ordinarily I would have just taken Damson's onthe top as proof that I'd been there but as my name is Craig Hill the opportunity of taking my photo on Crag Hill was too appealing. Thanks very much !!
On over Sail and down the winding path to the base of the climb up Causey Pike, where we turned left and down towards Outerside (Causey will be tackled at a later date with Ard Crags)
A little detour off the main path took us up Outerside for the final Wainwright of the day before the trek through some lovely purple heather around and over Stile End before the steepish grass descent back to Braithwaite Village.
The day was warm and still for the majority with a slight breeze coming in the afternoon. Since arriving home its starting throwing it down again so looks like we got it right today !!!
Had loads of photos from today but couldn't post all of them !!
