Route: Causey Pike, Scar Crags, Sail, Eel Crag, Hopegill Head and Whiteside
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 27th April 2013
Walkers: Andrew and James
Distance: 8.8 miles
Ascent: 3,500 feet
Gilly dropped us off at the foot of Rowling End so that we could walk back to Millbeck over the tops
Our first fell was Causey Pike, followed by Scar Crags, Sail, and Eel Crag, the highest point of the walk at 2,749 feet.
We then went down to Coledale Hause and up to Hopegill Head, then along the wonderful ridge to Whiteside, finally arriving back home at Millbeck after descending via Lorton’s Dodd
It was a fantastic walk with great views throughout. I’ve not included a route map as this was a walk home, but the maps page does link to the location of Causey Pike
Looking along Newlands Valley towards Skiddaw, at the start of the climb up Rowling End
And this time looking across Newlands to Catbells
Derwent Water
Dale Head at the end of Newlands Valley
Causey Pike ahead
The knobbly top of Causey Pike
A small scramble is needed to get to the summit
Looking back over Derwent Water from the summit of Causey Pike
The controversial path up Sail made by ‘Fix the Fells’ - despite the good intentions, sorry to say it’s an eyesore
It makes for an easy climb up a featureless slope - but then so would an escalator
The insignificant cairn on top of Sail - we’re aiming for the pointed summit of Hopegill Head in the distance
Looking along Sail Beck with a glimpse of Buttermere below
Climbing up to Eel Crag (or Crag Hill), the highest point of the walk
Coledale
Our next target is the Hopegill Head to Whiteside ridge in the mid distance. Scotland is in the background
The Scafells are over there, with some snow still around
Grizedale Pike is on the right, we’re heading left at Coledale Hause, lower down
Coledale from the hause
A glimpse of Crummock Water, our route lies along the ridge to the right
Hobcarton Crags
On Hopegill Head looking along the wonderful ridge to Whiteside
James striding out along the ridge
Looking over Lorton and Cockermouth towards Scotland. Our descent is via the Dodd ridge in the shade
Dodd
Looking back up to Hopegill Head
Millbeck comes into view around the corner - nearly home and what a great way to get here
