Grisedale Pike and Hopegill Head

Parking at the Revelin Moss car park of Whinlatter Forest the route is up the South East ridge to Grisedale Pike. The track is steep from the outset and continues so, all the way to the summit but is good underfoot. The views are good once the trees are left behind. It is a lot quieter than the usual route from Braithwaite via Kinn and the Sleet How ridge. The route to Hopegill Head is interesting all the way despite a loss of height and 350ft of ascent. The valley of Hobcarton drops away sharply to the north and the ascent is alongside the impressive Hobcarton Crag with its 'notch' on the arete. The summit is called Hopegill Head and not Hobcarton Head (or Pike) as it technically stands at the head of Hope Gill (less impressive) which flows between Ladyside Pike and Whiteside. The descent towards Ladyside Pike is on slabs of naked rock which present no real difficulty (unless coated in ice). There is a groove in the upper section which is followed. The rock is made up of 'Skiddaw Slate' which is splintered shale. Go across to the 'notch' for an impressive view. Lunch was taken at a slight depression on Ladyside Pike with a commanding view over Hobcarton valley to Grisedale Pike. From here it is on grass all the way towards Swinside (not visited) to a gate and wall, which is followed steeply down to the forest tracks. These zig zag about in a circuitous fashion back to Revelin Moss.