Name of walk | Grisedale Pike and Hopegill Head in Snow |
Date of walk | 2009-01-06 |
Distance walked (miles) | 8 |
Duration of walk | 5 hours 0 minutes |
Weather | Overcast, but some sunshine |
Peaks on walk | Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head |
Walked with | Ged and blind Kas |
Parking | Braithwaite |
On Tuesday Ged, Kas and I went to Braithwaite to Climb Grisedale Pike (2593ft) and Hopegill Head (2525ft). I had my new camera, a Canon Ixus 970is, to try out! The day had started in sunshine, but by the time we reached Braithwaite it had started to cloud over. It had been the coldest night of the year so we were expecting very cold and possibly icy conditions. If it was too icy we would have gone elsewhere.

We had good views of Ullock Pike and Skiddaw where we had been on Saturday looking a lot more frosted.

The grassy path was frozen even low down. Ged and Kas on the path with good views out to Blencathra.

The view up the Coledale Valley, the route up Grisedale Pike on the right.

View to the summit.

The ridge.

On the ridge.

Some walkers heading down the ridge. Derwent Water off right with the Helvellyn range behind.

Looking across to Outerside and Sail, Causey Pike behind.

Kas on the ridge.

Grisedale Pike Summit looking over to Eel Crag. The tops were in snow and so reasonable underfoot.

Looking to our next destination of Hopegill Head on the right, Grasmoor on the left.

A bit windy on the summit, cold too, so we didn`t hang around, setting off for the subsiduary summit of Grisedale Pike. There were a few snow flurries on the way.

Then the track to Hopegill Head.

Looking down the valley towards Whinlatter.

Looking down between Grasmoor and Whiteside at Crummock Water with Mellbreak behind.

Looking down to Ladyside Pike from Hopegill Head summit.

Looking along the ridge to Whiteside.

Looking back over to Grisedale Pike ridge.

Grasmoor.

The path over Sand Hill towards Eel Crag.

Ged and Kas on the summit ridge.

Following Ged and Kas down from Sand Hill to the top left path that eventually leads to the valley. Eel Crag behind.

Following the path down towards the valley.

Force Crag Mine at the head of the Coledale Valley. Once we reach the valley floor it is still 3 miles back to the car!

The mountain paths had been snow covered and good underfoot providing you took care, but some of the lower paths were quite treacherous with waterfalls of ice. There was a steep drop to the left on the photo below and solid ice on the paths. I had to go on my hands and knees to get across this bit and edge along the right side.

Icicles hung from the sides of the paths.

All of the water outflows were frozen making pretty shapes in the ice.

Looking back at the mountains on the long trudge along the valley floor.


