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Date: 02/04/2016
From: Buttermere
Parking: Parking along the foot of Newlands Pass
Start Point: Buttermere
Region: North Western Fells
Route length: 8.2 miles (13.1 km)
Time taken: 04:04
Camp: Thirdgill Head Man
Average speed: 1.68 mph
Ascent: 910m
Descent: 917m
Wainwrights on this walk:
Whiteless Pike (660m), Wandope (772m), Grasmoor (852m)
Additional summits: Thirdgill Head Man (734m)
Other points of interest: Rannerdale
It was only a matter of time before I slung all of my camping gear into a pack and set off to camp up in the mountains somewhere - a popular pastime for many and one that I had yet to try. It was actually a friend who first proposed the idea and I doubt I would have gone on my own otherwise. And so it was we had to odd pleasure of waiting in the pub until 5pm before even considering our climb.
Grasmoor had been identified as our fell of choice for no particular reason other than it is one of those large, grass clad fells that provide ample opportunity to pitch a tent. Now, I must point out, this being a first attempt I haven't even begun to whittle down the weight of my gear but the large pack I used coped with no problem. So, for all you weight-watchers, here's what went in the pack:
Pack - Deuter Guide 55+10 - 2.6kg
Tent - Wild Country Coshee 3 - 2.6kg
Sleeping Bag - ME Titan 550 - 1.2kg
Sleeping Mat - Alpkit Numo - 0.4kg
Pillow - Thermarest Compressible - 0.2kg
Stove - MSR Reactor 1.0l - 0.4kg
Gas - MSR IsoPro - 0.1g
Food - ~0.3kg
Clothes - ~1.2kg
Torch - BD ReVolt - 0.1kg
Water - 3l (2l in Platypus BigZip and 1l in collapsible bottle) - 3.5kg
Camera - Canon SX700 - 0.3kg
Extras (lighter, penknife, spoon, compass etc.) - ~1kg
I'm sure there are other things I've forgotten but the total weight was probably around 12 or 13kg - not exactly lightweight but everything required for a comfortable night on the fells and, more importantly, it all fitted in the pack that I already owned. Not owning a water filter meant carrying all the water that I needed for the trip, some for the hike up and a litre dedicated for food and hot drinks.
The weather was appalling when we arrived in Buttermere in the afternoon but, not to worry, it was forecast to clear as the afternoon and evening progressed. It wasn't until it had reached around 5.30pm that we decided we could no longer wait for the rain to clear and we moved the cars to the row of free spaces close to the Church of St James - the small picturesque church constructed in 1840.
Clouds and rain in Buttermere |
We had chosen one of the steeper routes up to Grasmoor, following the path from Buttermere up Grassgarth Coppice to Whiteless Breast and on to Whiteless Pike. Slowly and steadily we plodded up the first of the steep sections at the head of the small Rannerdale Valley, a fine path with a great view along the Rannerdale Knotts ridge to Crummock Water.
Robinson over Mill Beck |
Looking towards the Newlands Pass |
Rannerdale Knotts |
Rannerdale as the weather begins to clear |
Whiteless Pike marks the first objective |
The climb up towards Whiteless Pike |
A rare view of Sail Beck and Ard Crags |
Looking back down to Robinson and High Snockrigg |
Clouds begin to clear High Stile and Red Pike |
Lad Hows sweeps up to Grasmoor |
Looking along Whiteless Edge |
The summit of Whiteless Pike |
Whiteless Pike from Saddle Gate |
Mellbreak and Crummock water |
Distant Scafells in the early evening |
Our camping spot on Thirdgill Head Man |
The view across to the Scafells |
Time for bed... |
Around 1am, the wind eventually died down and I awoke early to a calm, quiet morning. After a hot drink and some quick breakfast, we were packed and ready for some more exploration - finally making our way up to the summit of Grasmoor to claim it as ours for the day, beating an early morning fell runner to the prize of first atop the mountain (probably).
The morning view |
The tents on our fine pitch |
Thirdgill Head Man |
Layers of fells |
The long walk to Grasmoor |
Whiteless Edge and Buttermere beyond |
Pillar makes an appearance |
Grasmoor's summit |
Clouds swirl around Grisedale Pike |
The sun eventually makes an appearance |
Looking across Crummock Water |
Grasmoor |
Thirdgill Head Man and the crags of Third Gill |
Looking to Buttermere |
The Church of St James |
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