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The Coledale Fells / 2 days / 13 miles (21km)

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Hopegill Head panorama > Pan

Date: 07 Dec 2003
Start / Finish: Braithwaite. Roadside parking.
Map: Explorer 4: English Lakes North West

Day 1Grisedale Pike to Grasmoor7 miles / 4300 feet (11.3km / 1310m)
Day 2Grasmoor to Causey Pike6 miles / 940 feet (9.7km / 286m)

A backpack well suited to short winter days, with very easy paths throughout except for the clamber up the north ridge of Crag Hill which presented no difficulty.

Day 1 - Grisedale Pike to Grasmoor

We took the standard route to Grisedale Pike which starts at the pull-in on the B5292 to the W of Braithwaite. Although it was constant sunshine the whole day, the conditions were not conducive to interesting photos and the shadow areas were almost black behind the low sun, but we did obtain some pleasing shots and one reasonable panorama. From Coledale Hause we took the direct and frosty route up the N ridge of Crag Hill, which seems to be forsaken by most people for the much less interesting plod around the W side. We collected water at the head of Liza beck and climbed to Grasmoor for a pitch on the plateau, where we watched the sun sink behind the silhouetted peaks to the SW and set behind Great Borne.

Skiddaw
Skiddaw (07 Dec 2003__10:06:24)
The Whiteside ridge
The Whiteside ridge (07 Dec 2003__11:12:21)
Grisedale Pike & Skiddaw
Grisedale Pike & Skiddaw (07 Dec 2003__11:51:39)
Sail & Ard Crags
Sail & Ard Crags (07 Dec 2003__13:17:41)
Whiteless Pike & The Central Fells
Whiteless Pike & The Central Fells (07 Dec 2003__15:45:19)
Pitch on Grasmoor with full moon
Pitch on Grasmoor with full moon (07 Dec 2003__15:54:04)

Day 2 - Grasmoor to Causey Pike

The sky remained clear all night and throughout today, and the early morning was crystal clear with views of the full moon setting across the Solway Firth and far beyond. Walking around the N edge of the plateau above Dove Crags, we returned to Crag Hill and traversed the ridge to Causey Pike. From here we backtracked a short way to the path that descends to High Moss, and followed one of a number of paths on the far side of the valley that led over Stile End and down to Braithwaite.

Skiddaw & Blencathra
Skiddaw & Blencathra (08 Dec 2003__08:22:13)
The High Stile ridge from Grasmoor
The High Stile ridge from Grasmoor (08 Dec 2003__08:27:47)
Morning light on Crummock Water & Mellbreak from Grasmoor
Morning light on Crummock Water & Mellbreak from Grasmoor (08 Dec 2003__09:05:28)
The Causey Pike ridge
The Causey Pike ridge (08 Dec 2003__11:18:10)