A love of the Lakes - A personal fell walking journal by Rob Marsh

 

 

Walk                : Grasmoor (2,791 ft) from Rannerdale via Lad Hows

 

Date                : 16th September 2021

 

Weather          : Dry fine, good visibility around 17°C

 

Distance         : 3.5 miles round trip

 

Difficulty         : Medium to hard – the upper reaches being on steep scree

 

Which area of Lakeland is this walk situated?

 

Terrain Overview

 

Terrain overview of the walk up to Grasmoor via Lad Hows

 

 

Walk Overview

 

Grasmoor is the tallest of all the North Western fells and this climb that initially follows the course of

Cinderdale Beck to get to the Lad Hows ridgeline is steep. Towards the upper reaches there is some

nasty scree that needs careful negotiation but once passed, a grassy promenade leads all the way to

a very well-constructed shelter cairn. The views of the Scafell range are awesome

 

The Farmers sign at the car park at Cinderdale Common. This is the starting point for the walk

 

The Farmers sign at the car park at Cinderdale Common. This is the starting point for the walk

 

There are two small car parks (free of charge) – this one is right by the side of the Beck

 

There are two small car parks (free of charge) – this one is right by the side of the Beck

 

Immediately from the car park cross the ford over Cinderdale Beck

 

Immediately from the car park cross the ford over Cinderdale Beck

 

Over the Beck, take the path to the left that climbs initially through an area of thick bracken

 

Over the Beck, take the path to the left that climbs initially through an area of thick bracken

 

At one point the path runs very close to the water cascade

 

At one point the path runs very close to the water cascade

 

The first objective to aim for is the lone holly bush perched on a rock formation

 

The first objective to aim for is the lone holly bush perched on a rock formation

 

Passing the holly bush

 

Passing the holly bush

 

Looking back towards Rannerdale Knotts and the High Stile ridge line

 

Looking back towards Rannerdale Knotts and the High Stile ridge line

 

Looking back to Mellbreak over Crummock Water from the path

 

Looking back to Mellbreak over Crummock Water from the path

 

Approaching the Lad Hows ridge line

 

Approaching the Lad Hows ridge line

 

Looking towards Loweswater in the back ground from the path

 

Looking towards Loweswater in the back ground from the path

 

Higher up the path now and Great Gable can be seen above Buttermere

 

Higher up the path now and Great Gable can be seen above Buttermere

 

On the Lad Hows ridge line now and the only bit of fairly level walking throughout

 

On the Lad Hows ridge line now and the only bit of fairly level walking throughout

 

The path steepens again as it approaches the scree section, no navigational issues though

 

The path steepens again as it approaches the scree section, no navigational issues though

 

Looking across to Whiteless Pike from the scree path

 

Looking across to Whiteless Pike from the scree path

 

After a considerable toil up the steep scree slope it is very welcome to reach the summit approach

 

After a considerable toil up the steep scree slope it is very welcome to reach the summit approach

 

Sue very happy to be standing on more level ground

 

Sue very happy to be standing on more level ground

 

Looking back down the Lad Hows ridge line

 

Looking back down the Lad Hows ridge line

 

Looking over the ridge line from between Wandope and Whiteless Pike to the Scafell group

 

Looking over the ridge line from between Wandope and Whiteless Pike to the Scafell group

 

From this point now its just a straight forward walk up to the summit shelter cairn

 

From this point now its just a straight forward walk up to the summit shelter cairn

 

Finally, we arrive at the summit of Grasmoor

 

Finally, we arrive at the summit of Grasmoor

 

A 360 degree view from the summit of Grasmoor

 

Have a look at the 360-degree view from the summit

 

Plenty to look at from the top

 

Plenty to look at from the top

 

A clearer view of Scafell Pike and Scafell now

 

A clearer view of Scafell Pike and Scafell now

 

The connecting ridge between High Crag and High Stile with Pillar peeping up over the top

 

The connecting ridge between High Crag and High Stile with Pillar peeping up over the top

 

Looking north towards Skiddaw and Blencathra

 

Looking north towards Skiddaw and Blencathra

 

 

… and East towards the Helvellyn range

 

 

A close view of Scafell Pike and Scafell

 

 

Whilst we were taking in all the views it seems the Spudmeister was taking in some views of his

own …. namely my dinner!!

 

Looking across to Whiteless Pike and its connecting ridge to Wandope

 

Looking across to Whiteless Pike and its connecting ridge to Wandope

 

On our way back down now as the early evening sun shimmers on Crummock Water

 

On our way back down now as the early evening sun shimmers on Crummock Water

 

 

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