Wainwrights in 21 Days

23km & 1924m (14miles & 6311ft)

Predicted Walking Time 7hr 24m

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A wonderful day in the Western Wainwright fells, but Whiteless Pike is a problem. The route shown is one solution. Alternatively, you could start on the more westerly (lovely) route up Grasmore and then go down to Whiteless Pike before climbing again to Wandope. Or even leave Whiteless Pike to near the end and approach it from the East up Bleak Rigg.

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Whichever option you choose, the initial climb to Grasmoor is a bit of a grind, though the views are wonderful. But then, in Wainwright's words, Eel Crag is "the centre of things...a traffic junction."It leads to the two ridges ending in Barrow and Causey Pike.

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After Causey Pike the path initially returns towards Scar Crag, but soon you need to find a more southerly path leading down to the saddle below Ard Crags. From the saddle, climb a steep grassy slope to the ridge.

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East of From Knott Rigg there is no path down to the valley, but it's an entertaining run/walk down steep grass. Cross Salt Beck and Third Gill at the sheepfold, before the beck grows in size.

 

If you did not include Whitelerss Pike in your earlier climb to Grasmoor, you will now have the prospect of a steep climb up the other side of the Mill Beck Valley! Otherwise contour on good paths to the path junctions South East of Rannerdale Knotts. 

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Apart from the question of Whiteless PIke, this is a great day along a series of ridges, with some steep climbs (sometimes off piste) as you move from one ridge to the next. 

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