Grasmoor - the direct route is facing us

There was frost on the car when I set out from home but it was not in evidence at Lanthwaite Green.  A short walk across the common brought me to the foot of the scree and heather face after 15 minutes.  If you don't like steep starts this is not the route for you.  But if you take it easy and continually check carefully for the best way up, it isn't too bad.  Quite exhilerating in fact.  The face was in shadow and there was a light frost visible on the ground.  An hour of scree, heather, rock scrambles, pinnacles and gullies brought me out on Grasmoor End.  Stunning views up there - from Criffel over the Solway to the Isle of Man and even Northern Ireland beyond - 80 miles away??

Easy walking brought me to the summit where I had a bite to eat then I headed down the route which passes over the top of Dove Crags (great views) to Coledale Hause.  By now it was warm and my Paramao was discarded and (like almost everyone else) I was down to a base layer above the waist.  Hopegill Head summit was like Piccadilly Circus.  I had my second bite to eat and Polly begged food (with 100% success) off everyone up there.

The ridge to Whiteside is one of the best and most photogenic in the district with great views over Gasgale Gill to Grasmoor and my ascent route.  On the way down over the minor peak of Whin Ben I met a party of parascenders headed up to "find the wind".  I suspect they may not have found much it was pretty still when I was on the ridge.

Then back to the car and back home - having rung Ann and Roger and established that they were not at home for an Oak Cottage "cuppa".  Ann rang later and said that she and Roger hand crossed Coledale Hause on their walk an hour or so after I did - it really is a small world.

Enjoy the pictures http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/561092959OOVHpR

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