I first walked the Whiteside to Hopegill Head ridge 40 years ago and hoped that I would get to do it in winter conditions one day.  I never imagined that it would be as late as April 8th when I finally completed a winter traverse.  The weather in April 2008 is definitely not typical!

The View From Jayne Hill - prompting John to get his crampons out

I parked at Lanthwaite Green and headed off up the steep heather covered slopes of Whin Ben.  This minor peak is a great viewpoint over the Loweswater and Buttermere valleys.  Above Whin Ben we met the snow and by the time we reached the summit there was about six inches of powder.  I needed crampons (ice on the rocks under the powder) for the middle part of the ridge but as I approached Hopegill Head the temperature rose and there was no ice in evidence.  Hopegill Head was a magnificent place to be, with clear conditions and not a breath of wind.

Then down to Coledale Hause and a lunch stop chosen by Polly!  The ascent of Grasmoor was mostly in soft snow about six inches deep.  It stayed sunny on the ascent but the cloud came down and the temperature fell as we reached the summit shelter.  Not a very pleasant place in those conditions - I'm glad Polly insisted we had lunch at the hause.

Then down Lad Hows Ridge to find a different world in the valley.  Green grass, birds singing, colour where there had been monochrome.  It felt positively warm and most of my outer clothing ended up in the 'sac on the long trek back to the car at Lanthwaite Green.  I bought a cold drink at Lorton shop and an ice cream from a van at the viewpoint halfway down Whinlatter Pass - even nicer!  A brilliant day!

A full album is available on Webshots http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/563033528QusoNg.

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