Ladyside Pike to Dodd

Name of walk	Ladyside Pike to Dodd
Date of walk	2012-10-26
Distance walked (miles)	6
Duration of walk	4 hours 45 minutes
Weather	cold and misty
Peaks on walk	Ladyside Pike, Hopegill Head, Whiteside

The weather was forecast to be very cold (down to -6 on the summits), but with good visibility, clear blue skies but a strong wind of 45mph.

We decided to drive to Hopebeck to climb Ladyside Pike up to Hopegill Head and along the ridge to Whiteside and then down via Dodd.

A walk of just over 5.5 miles.

The Whinlatter Pass was still closed but we would be turning off well before Scawgill Bridge, along the single track road that leads to Hopebeck. This does involve having to open a gate across the road and then closing it again just before High Swinside Farm. There is parking for a few cars on a green verge. Heading diagonally up Swinside for the route up beside the wall

We differ from the map in deciding to stay on this side of the wall which gave some shelter from the wind. The initial route up to the ridge is very steep. Greystones Fell on the right

So much for the blue sky, good visibility forecast! Although they got the cold and windy correct! We keep to the wall and head for Ladyside Pike.

Looking back down the ridge

From Ladyside Pike summit looking at our route up Hopegill Head.

This will involve a bit of a rock climb. We first detour to the rock edge on the left to look directly down into the valley.

Looking back at Ladyside Pike.

View back from halfway up the rock climb.

View down the valley. Our route down to Dodd on the left

Hopegill Head summit. Thankfully the mist has cleared. It was very cold and windy. To think that three days ago we were in T-shirts on Latterbarrow!

Today I was in lined winter trousers, gloves and my winter hat! My hands were still freezing!

View in the opposite direction. The route to Grisedale Pike off left. The Causey Pike to Crag Fell ridge ahead

Gasgale Gill with Grasmoor on the left, Crummock Water ahead.

Kas leads the way along the Whiteside ridge.

From Whiteside summit looking back along the ridge to Hopegill Head.

Crummock Water with Mellbreak behind.

Lowes Water

Kas and me on Whiteside summit cairn.

Our lunch spot out of the wind. There were flurries of snow falling.

Our route down towards Dodd.

We have to climb up the scree to get up to Dodd summit

Looking back down and up

View out from Dodd

Looking across the Solway Firth to Criffel in Scotland.

We make our way down through the heather and ford Hopegill.

Looking back up to the ridge.

Kas leads us back to where I parked my car.

A good walk, pity there were no blue skies. There are today!!! Grrrrr!

The walk took us four hours and forty five minutes.

Jo.