Whiteside walk | aloveofthelakes

Walk : Whiteside (2,317ft) from Lanthwaite Green via Whin Benn

Date : 7^th March 2022

Weather : Cloudless blue sky, sunny, strong wind chill @ 0°C

Distance : 3.5 miles round trip

Difficulty : 2 to 3 – A good path throughout, but some rock handling required on scree

(1=easy 5=hard)

Terrain Overview

3D view of the route

Walk Overview

Our first walk of 2022 started with a “steep un” – Whiteside from Lanthwaite Green via Whin Benn is a good path throughout

but is unremittingly steep. The upper reaches have a degree of scree requiring a bit of rock handling. Great views on top

There is a free car park at Lanthwaite Green with space for around a dozen cars. This is the start point for the walk

Whiteside and Whin Benn from the car park

Cross the road and follow the sign posted grass path towards Gasgale Gill

Approaching the Gill, Whin Benn in front here is the first objective

Looking back across Crummock Water towards Mellbreak

The Gill carves its way between Whiteside on the left and Grasmoor on the right

The bridge over the Gill

Gasgale Gill in full speight

Keep following the grass path which is foot holed in its upper reached to assist with the stiffness

At a point where the path splits – take the left hand for to start the climb to Whin Benn in earnest

Looking right from the path to the massive bulk of Grasmoor

Starting to climb the steep slope up to Whin Benn

Sue and Bonnie on the path

We arrive at the top of Whin Benn and the path continues up to the rocky outcrop and is easy to follow

The path cuts straight through an area of dense bracken

The upper reaches of Gasgale Gill. At this point the path turns in parts to loose scree

Brace yourself for 30 minutes of loose scree

Looking back towards Mellbreak

Spud pauses for a breather and at this point a strong and freezing cold wind gives us something else to think about

Approaching the upper reaches and thankfully the gradient eases

Just before we approach the summit a view along the ridge to Hopegill Head and beyond

On the summit of Whiteside

A 360 degree view from the summit of Whiteside

Looking across Gasgale Gill towards Sail

Looking back from the summit

Yes Spud – dinner is on its way !!!

The ridge path to Hopegill Head

Double Trouble on the summit !!

Crummock Water