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@sanny i posted about Blease fell higher up, its a fantastic blast that and Scale fell into the combe are popular for a reason, as i said very Alpine Blue lots of singletrack.
personaly i wouldn't bother carrying down to Blaeberry tarn for the million steps, but then what do i know people seem to like carrying their bikes. knock yourself out.
PS. if you read the thread above High Snockrigg to Buttermere is really good. seems to be a bit of an echo chamber on here!
Bannerdale- the track down the tongue that runs down it’s south side is fast and not technical. There is a possibly fun route off bannerdale crags east ridge (marked disused mine workings on OS map) that may go, but maybe too tricky, worth a walk up to have a look, quick hike a bike to gain altitude that way and could always head to the tongue or down the glenderamackin to mousethwaite Combe instead.
Hindscarth- the climb up Robinson from Newlands is tough in places, tricky short scramble sections to take care while shouldering the bike. Hindscarth is brilliant but lower down has 2 or 3 little craglets that for me are unridable. I’d probably recommend going there via dale head summit, a better route across to Hindscarth. I don’t think Robinson adds much.
It must have been 1997 when I rode Hindscarth the first time round. It is but a faint but lovely memory of an amazing day out. I do remember a couple of carry downs.
Have you headed north east off of Robinson? That looks promising too.
Cheers
Sanny
@TomB do you mean Bowscale East Ridge did this a month ago and can confirm it is delightful, again i posted this up thread bit of a theme, there is quite an entertaining vertical chute at the end beware!
North east off Robinson takes you down a 3 small scramble crags (not rideable) and loses most of its height on grass whichever way you go. Wouldn’t recommend.
Fergal the East ridge of Bowscale fell isn’t what I meant, but I’ll have a look at that next time….I’m talking about the east ridge leading directly to Bannerdale Crags summit. No path on the map.
Oh that East ridge did a little googling on walking sites awhile back, didn't look feasible.
Ha ha, it was good. Chuffing cold, but good. More of it went than I remember - the biggest issue we had was frozen fingers and not being able to feel whether we were actually pulling the brake levers. One or two nearly impossible bits, but I’ll happily go back in the summer and try again
the biggest issue we had
Oh, well in that case, photos...
Soooo yesterday was the 5 Wainwrights around Blencathra. There was plenty of hoar frost and several days of sub zero temps made for perfect condition. I ended up coming up the back edge of the mountain and was treated to an incredible inversion. The descent down Blease Fell was really rather lovely. Nice flowy switchbacks. Not technical but worth doing.
There was still light in the sky so headed up to Latrigg. Proper freezing cloud but I persevered and got treated to another inversion. Opted to try Lonscale Fell for something different. Up the main Skiddaw Path then followed the fence line to the summit. An easy tick best done as a bigger Skiddaw day just to look over the crags beneath. Rode down in the dark. Was very glad of my ice tyres on the road descent as the ice claimed at least two cars yesterday.
Today was a banger. One of my rides of the year. Headed up Sticks Pass from St John’s in the Vale. Nice steep carry up tech terrain then nice singletrack to ride up when it levels off. This would make for a really nice descent and all of it looked like it would go while still being a lot of fun. From there, I headed up onto Raise which was winter wonderland white before knocking out all the peaks on the shoulder to the north. Under tyre conditions were simply perfect as I took my time and enjoyed the views and the riding. It is not technical riding but as a day out, it is bloody lovely. I suspect it would be horrible in the wet and doing it north to south would be tediously dull. However, today it was bang on. Definitely one for when it is frozen and blue skies. The climbs were entirely rideable other than the steep section at the top of Raise. Gorgeous sunset and an orange moon rounded things off perfectly.
Re Bannerdale EastRidge descent. Had a look and remain to be convinced. Happy to be proven wrong though.
Cheers
Sanny
Sticks West is a funny one. Really mellow at the top, then there are a couple of really quite technical sections just past the sheep fold on the left. Then you seem to be on the brakes for most of the rest of the descent and losing altitude really quickly.
As for Bannerdale East Ridge, my interest is now piqued. Will have to head that way once things warm up and take a look
Was anyone of this parish on the fells north of Helvellyn over the last few days? I noticed a couple of tyre tracks and wondered who it might have been?
Cheers
Sanny
PS Sticks west looks like it would be a hoot. Sometimes you just need steep and tech to blow your height away…..
I was on Helvellyn Sunday at sunrise, up via Kepple where I dare say most the tracks were made by Meg White and the Nukeproof crew . Most of it is just a light dusting maybe 2-3 cms from the Raise up Whiteside and the top was solid. Whiteside was mostly flat due to the coverage.
Don’t think there is much to be gained by doing the Horseshoe on Fairfield, certainly scenic on a nice day, but didn’t take you as a rambler with a bicycle as an accessory. A lot of pushing/carrying to the top of Fairfield on that round.
The fairfield horseshoe is a cracker! I think I prefer it clockwise, but both ways are good
would love to hear his opinion, my ratio of riding to carrying is obviously greater than yours, it’s a great walk though and a bit of a slog* imho.
Having ridden the Fairfield horseshoe today, I’m going to say it once and for all. Anti clockwise is better than clockwise. There, I’ve said it. The climb up the western ridge is nicer, but the descent is also better. Too stop/starty in the middle over on the eastern ridge.
<edit: just putting that in bold as he's said it perfectly>
So, finally got round to trying the anti clockwise Horseshoe last weekend. Had a bloody excellent day. Key thoughts:
IMHO the east ridge is a great ascent ( as proper mountain ascents go) it's a perfect blend of rideable shallow gradient uphills mixed with shortish sharp sections of HaB. In my mind that's the best combo. I find constant HaB tedious and dislike just-too-steep-to-ride-after-the-first-10second-effort hills.
Caveat, there are lots of bogs. Go when it's frozen solid or dry as a bone.
https://flic.kr/p/2o4YYuP
The other advantage of anticlockwise is that almost all the west ridge is rideable down, but the east ridge has loads of yukky looking boulder fields, which it's nicer to carry up than walk down.
Also, the minor uphills on the west ridge descent are all rideable really good
We did the Alcock Tarn (south) descent this time rather than Nab Scar. Nab Scar is mindblowingly good, and IMHO very hard ( for a punter like me) whereas Alcock is much easier. Defo a good choice on a freezing day after one OTB.
I've realised I'm waffling, but basically:
The West ridge descent is brilliant. If its dry or frozen then ride up the east ridge.
If you like gnadge then do Nab Scar. If you want mellower then do Alcock Tarn finish
Just looking at my pics from Sunday and the east ridge. There is a very definite and clear singletrack path down the mine workings ridge looking east from near the high point. Then I found this link……..
http://www.wainwrightroutes.co.uk/bannerdalecrags_r1.htm
I reckon you could bypass the scramble at the top and definitely ride all of the grass track down. Looks like I am going to have to go back there!!!!!!!!
Good work sir! You have seen the Fairfield light! Ha! Ha!
Cheers
Sanny
In other news, has anyone ridden down from Catseye Cam via Red Tarn below Swirral Edge? Any good?
Also wondering if the tracks going north east via Birkhouse Moor are worth a visit?
Also, can you carry down the first section of Hart Crag to do Hartsop above How?
Cheers
Sanny
https://www.wainwrightwalking.co.uk/clough-head/
I saw this track yesterday but was not sure if it would go. Looks like it would. Anyone on here tried it?
Cheers
Sanny
@sanny - Never done Catseye Cam, but it looks like it'd be good. Only downer would be that you'd be going up and down the same way.
Pretty sure I've climbed up to Birkhouse Moor on that track, but again I've not ridden down it. Always carried on to Helvellyn or gone through the Hole in the wall.
Hartsop above How is a bit stop/starty for me. I mean, you can do it, and I've tried it once, but there's better stuff to go at.
Lastly, Clough Head is ace, especially the bit as you drop over the shoulder and turn north east down the off camber scree.
http://www.wainwrightroutes.co.uk
I’ve already linked to this previously but having had a good look at the site, I reckon this could be a tremendous resource for ride planning……
Any love for Whiteside? It looks like it could be a fun way to lose height fast!
Yup. The full ridge from Hopegill Head is ace. Turn north for an easier route down, head south off the end for steep, not all rideable comedy sketchiness. One for a dry day. I've got some footage of me and a friend trying to ride it that I need to edit into something shareable
That is great! I was looking at the ascent ups from Gasgale Gill and thinking that it might make for a fantastic descent. Would love to see that video.
@sanny - your wish, my command etc etc:
It's a bit rough and ready, but you get the general idea. Whiteside nonsense starts at 4 mins. If you can wait, it'll be in HD in about an hour
Ooooooooooooh! I like that…..a lot!
Yeah, me too. I want to go back and try it again on a bike with better tyres. This was riding it blind so had no idea what was coming!
Just watched that again - where is the really like button? I was planning to re-ride Whiteless Pike and Grizedale Pike in a nice loop over Christmas if the weather is nice but now I am looking at Whiteside and wanting to do that too!!!!!!! Looks like my plan to tackle all the Wainwrights is going to involve multiple repeat visits to do different descents……..which is no bad thing really!
Cheers
Sanny
Yup. The full ridge from Hopegill Head is ace.
Yep. I've done it as an out and back from Hopefully Head (to add to a ride/ shameless peak bagging) and whilst it's sketchy in places I'd certainly not attempt to ride, enough goes to make it well worth it.
So a corker yesterday doing the Coledale Horseshoe - lots of carrying but lots of fun too.
Barrow down to sheepfold - very nice and flowy.
Outerside to High Moss - easy but short.
Causey Pike ridge - nice with some pushing due to the snow.
Scar Crags climb to Sail- spun out on one steep section so had to push up to the next switchback. Nice climb though.
Crag Hill towards Grassmoor was a snowy riot. Tough push up Grassmoor in the snow. The upper section would be rideable from the cairn to the shelters without deep snow. We descended down to Coledale Hause following the path on the edge of the crags. It was like skiing! I bet it would be ace when clear too. The descent round Hobcarton Crag felt a bit necky but was fun. Hobcarton End is a lovely flowing descent to finish - mellow chillness with a little bit of tech towards the trees.
All in all a great day. No wind, bluebird skies - pretty much perfect.
For info, I reckon the path north east off Barrow would be a really fun blast down to the bridleway.
Has anyone ridden north west off of Hopegill Head?
Cheers
Sanny
For info, I reckon the path north east off Barrow would be a really fun blast down to the bridleway.
How weird. I did that very ride on Wednesday just gone. It is indeed lovely. I had assumed it was the standard Barrow route, is that not the case?
I did a there and back up to the col of Rigg Beck, then up Stonycroft Gill to the sheepfold ( brilliant climb), Stile End, Barrow, Whinlatter south loop, then back up the fire road to descend down Sleet Howe and Kinn.
I'm simply gobsmacked by the amount of amazing riding in that area.
Has anyone done the stuff around Whinlatter like Lord’s Seat and Barf? I am wondering whether on a nice and dry summer day whether they would make for a nice bumble in the fells where it is not so much about the descents but simply being out and about to take in the scenery?
Cheers
Sanny
@thegeneralist - agreed. Probably the best area for big mountain riding in England
@sanny – your wish, my command etc etc:
It’s a bit rough and ready, but you get the general idea. Whiteside nonsense starts at 4 mins. If you can wait, it’ll be in HD in about an hour
Amazing riding. Just watching that triggered my vertigo. Having carried up that path I know what its like. Massive respect.
So a corker yesterday doing the Coledale Horseshoe – lots of carrying but lots of fun too.
Barrow down to sheepfold – very nice and flowy.
Outerside to High Moss – easy but short.
Causey Pike ridge – nice with some pushing due to the snow.
Scar Crags climb to Sail- spun out on one steep section so had to push up to the next switchback. Nice climb though.
Crag Hill towards Grassmoor was a .....fun. Hobcarton End is a lovely flowing descent to finish
@sanny . I think I've traced the route on the map but any chance of a strave screenshot or something just to be sure?
Or indeed any other recommendations of other good bits on dat masssseeeff
( done GP, Whiteless, Barrow, Rigg Beck east side)
Quite fancy Ard Crags too, so any suggestions on direction are welcome.
Doing the Bash on Sunday and planning to stay over afterwards and do this on Monday. If anyone fancies it then let me know.
( Unless the temperature drops, in which case I'm going ice climbing 😀🥶)
My route was pretty heavy on the carrying so let me come up with a variation that is more rideable on the up and I will post it on here later?
A lot of the snow will have gone judging by the webcams.
cheers
Sanny
My guess is Rigg beck is boggy atm ? Is there much white stuff left on Sail and Crag head? Saturday is calling
You will need a local to advise but the snow has pretty much vanished from Skiddaw so there will be an awful lot less than there was last Friday sadly.
I reckon a good route would be to ride on the bridleway via Braithwaite Lodge to stoneycroft then ride up the track that follows Stoneycroft Gill to sheepfold. You can do Barrow and Outerside as out and backs or take the track off the High Moss track to carry up to Causey Pike. It cuts out Scar Crags as an out and back. Head west along Scar Crags and drop down to the saddle.
The zig zags up to sail are steep but rideable. I only slipped out on one section because of the snow but with less snow, it should go.
It is a carry from Sail to Crag Hill and is steep and rocky so you need to be confident on such ground. There is an easy path down the track beneath Grassmoor.
Steep initial carry up to the cairn then I reckon the traverse to Grassmoor would go. We followed what would have been the track north east down to join the main track down to Coledale Hause.
Options here are to carry up sand Hill via Hopegill Head and ride around the edge of Hobcarton Crag (dinnae fall left - very deathy!) or just head straight for Grizedale Pike. Descent can be either Hobcarton End (will be a bit mucky in the trees) or go tech down Sleet How. The top section is steep and rocky and can be windy so you may walk down some of it but it soon becomes mellow flowiness.
How does this sound?
Or just do Whiteless Pike then up Newlands Pass and go over Knott Rig and Ard Crags to drop onto Rigg Beck. Done that on a moist February Day but carried up the steep north east ridge of Causey Pike (one for the Alpinists - not an easy carry)
Cheers
Sanny
Oh and the descent northwest to Rannerdale is a nice extension for the latter route.
Cheers
Sanny
How does this sound?
That does indeed look peachy 🙂
Would like to try Hobcarton End descent as I did Sleet Howe last weekend. ( And did GP main descent last year) The question is which way to lose all that height from Whinlatter without doing the road?
How about the red route, Loam Ranger, Hugh Jass, Monty’s and After Hours on Trail Forks to finish? That would keep you off road almost the entire way back to Braithwaite.
Oh and I expect pictures on this thread!
Cheers
Sanny
Help me decide tomorrow .
Option 1 Fairfield loop clockwise after a lap of Loughrigg
Op2 Skiddaw Ullock and back of Skiddaw via Lonscale fell
Op3 The Bash
Op4 Up over Grisedale Sail Rigg Beck .. may start with a lap of Whinlatter
Op5, up to whiteless pike, descend, along lake, return up and over grizedale pike (the proper way straight down the rocky ridge towards whinlatter, not the boring grassy slope way everyone takes).
But probably if it's still icy just do the bash.
@continuity - yes! Now you’re talking. I always get so excited when someone suggests riding GP, only to realise they just mean climbing it and descending Hobcarton
@continuity
Coledale beck up and down Whiteless inc Rannerdale and back over via Gasgale gill ?
Herein I fully admit the top of GP is the demarcation line for my ability. Maybe if I'd ever been up there when it was bone dry - I'd have had more luck, but it usually involves a few short portages around the bigger scrambles. That said once past the v hardest bits it's still excellent riding.
@Continuity - it took me a while to piece it all together and I eventually cleaned it in one run a few years back. Not sure I'd manage it now - there's one step near the top that's now quite heavily eroded.
The full run is indeed great, and it puts you onto the track going off road all the way to Braithwaite
Op 2 or 3 perhaps as its looks a bit grey and overcast tomorrow. The bash with the new bridleway might be nice? You could nip up and down Castle Crag for a nod to Wainwright. I do love the loose slate switchbacks…..
Fairfield clockwise? Sacrilege!!!!!!!!! Anti-clockwise for the win.
Not pushed up Gasgale in a while. I cannot comment how eroded it has become of late.
Grizedale Pike for me means going down the track and not Hobcarton which is nice but far easier.
Cheers
Sanny
@ Sanny When ive done Fairfield before ive gone up from Grasmere via the tarn and Up and then come down towards Alcock tarn , Am I missing a trick ?
Ive also found this while being busy at work this afternoon https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/e975700461/derwen****er-to-thirlmere-loop-the-lake-district Not a true Bash but a slight divert off before Castle crag up Tounge Gill to High spy , over Maiden moor and drop just under Cat bells. Still get Wandleth in too 🙂
Ignore my last I have just found this https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/lake-district-bridleway-watendlath-to-thirlmere-any-good/
I was up on top of Skiddaw little man today (flying not riding) and it was clear of all snow and ice, so the high fells generally should be fine. I like Braithwaite- force crag- coledale hause- whiteless/rannerdale- gasgale gill- grisedale pike loop.
Fairfield clockwise? Sacrilege!!!!!!!!! Anti-clockwise for the win.
This. I confirmed this to be the case at the end of last year 😉
I usually do the full horseshoe anti-clockwise. Alternatively, you can go up Alcock then get onto the ridge and go all the way to the summit. Return by riding the full length of the ridge. The Rydal descent is steep and fun.
So after a lap of Loughrigg and a little play coming down and Empty terrace (never has LR terrace been empty before ever in the history of the Lakes ) I headed up Fairfield from Tounge gill and down from FF over Heron and down to Allcock where the rocks were super ready to had you broadsiding today. Its a great run down from the top . fast and flowy in places and then a bit of tech. top ride . I cant see down riding down TG would be better unless you guys descend via High and Low pike ?
TG?
I love the path above Nab Scar. I think it's brilliant, and also bloody hard for a punter like me. I don't reckon descending H&LP would be anything like as good.
Tounge gill 🙂
For me, Nab Scar is the better descent. I have done Alcock too but Nab Scar is just steeper and more fun in my book. I love the switchbacks.
I think the beauty of Tongue Gill is that you get to ride the scree from the top of Fairfield, which is ace.
We did Grasmere - grisedale tarn - glenridding - keppel cove - Helvellyn - dollywagon - fairfield - alcock tarn yesterday.
Mega day! reminded myself how damn good Grisedale beck is as a descent. Also, how much I hate Keppel Cove as a climb 😂🤦🏻♂️
Big day! How long did that take?
After the previous posts I'd been looking at starting in Grasmere and doing Grisedale beck then back to do Nab Scar but couldn't figure which would be the best way back up? Just back up Grisedale perhaps?
Started at 9, got back to the cars about 4ish. We stopped for coffee in glenridding though so weren’t rushing.
From glenridding you could climb St Sunday crag - there’s a bit of descent to be had from the top before you start the carry to the top of Fairfield.
I may have passed you setting off up Tounge gill around 9ish wondered if you had gone that way.
Ahh, was that you in the green jacket?
Yep Glad I took it with me was a tad breezy on top .
Cheers for the route suggestion Sanny. I started as suggested, up Outerside
https://flic.kr/p/2oeuqtZ
( Beef and Stilton dontcha know)
Then up Causey Pike
Then back along the ridge to Scar Crags
https://flic.kr/p/2oepjRq
That should have been quitenice riding but the wind was huge. Absolutely impossible to cycle against, except downhill. I got over towards Sail
https://flic.kr/p/2oerTMa
and since GP had only been cloud free for 5 minutes in 3 hours, I decided on plan B which was dropping down this path on the left to Rigg Beck.
https://flic.kr/p/2oeuppK
The plan was to do Rigg Beck Then back along Ard Crags, which is the lovely cloud free ridge in the picture above.
Gotta admit, I didn't feel the love for Rigg Beck
https://flic.kr/p/2oetkwN
But TBH I realised at this point that it was the wrong route, for me, that day. I'd did the Bash and Glenderaterra Beck the day before, which was awesome, but I just wasn't feeling the love for storm force winds, bog and riding alone. I stopped at the cafe in Butt'dale ( thank god it was open) then slogged up Newlands pass and then broke left up Knott Rigg.
The wind here was insane, but at least it was behind me. Did the ridge along Ard Crags in the gathering dark
https://flic.kr/p/2oepjWf
( Causey Pike in the background)
And then the plummet down to the east end of Rigg Beck. It had a few nice sections, in a rubble filled ditch sort of way, but I pushed the short 50% gradient bit.
So yes, not a classic day by any means but I'm actually quite pleased that I managed consecutive 1500hm days without expiring.
Tell me about Causey Pike. I get the impression it's a bit of a classic. I presume if you go down the East ridge?
The blue section here exceeds my notional 40% max gradient by a fair bit. Is it insanely hard?
https://flic.kr/p/2oetwR1
Causey- little scramble down off the summit then good steep tech, rideable if you’re lucky with route choice and skilled (I have never linked it in a one-er). From the flat area (sleet hause) on the ridge I take the main path, just a high speed hoot, the path you have marked over Rowling end is not at all rideable for me- several sections of hands on rock when ascending that way.
Edit: save it for a dry spell. The ride west to east along scar crags to Causey is also lovely ridge riding, easy access from Stonycroft.
easy access from Stonycroft.
Ah yes, of course. That lovely wide track presumably goes all the way up to Sail ( and indeed becomes that hairpin monstrosity in my picture above). Follow it all the way to the col, then turn left along Scar Crags and down Causey Ridge.
Cool
I have only ever carried the path up north of Rowling End so have no idea what the descent of Rowling End is like. @justinbieber Any advice?
Great pics but what a difference a week makes. I was deep in snow on the ride when I did it just over a week before you did it.
Oh and the hairpin monstrosity is a rather lovely climbing challenge. The left hand corner sections definitely feel less steep than the right hand ones though.
You were right to bail on Grizedale Pike. The winds there can be particularly fierce even when the rest of a ride can be relatively calm. Best left for a clear and crisp day in my book.
So is that 5 Wainwright tops you managed to do then? Good effort.
Cheers
Sanny
@thegeneralist - climbing the Causey Pike ridge that direction sounds tough. I've only ever done it heading east and then descending the path north of Rowling End same as @TomB. Which also means I can't comment on Rowling End itself, sorry @sanny - I'm such a let down today.
Also, it looks like you descended Sail Beck rather than Rigg Beck. In your pic with the lovely cloud free ridge, the Rigg Beck everyone talks about goes to the left. Sail Beck isn't quite as good (it's a nice climb though), so it's understandable that you didn't feel the love for it.
Causey is ace though, and it's just the right side of rideable for me
Sail beck- nice ‘old school’ mountain biking as a way to get through to Buttermere but not techs or interesting really. Rigg beck, heading the other way from where you joined it, is a hoot.
Ah yes, my bad. I did indeed get confused by people seemingly to refer to the whole stretch as Rigg Beck when the burn itself only goes down one side. The eastern descent did indeed seem betterer when I went up and down it two weeks ago.
Was thoroughly glad to have studded tyres on that day
https://flic.kr/p/2oer6gR
So another entry in the Wainwrights thread. Yesterday was another excellent day out. Parked at the top of Newlands Pass and carried directly up onto Robinson. The Moss was, as expected, mossy but not despairingly so. The steep final section onto Robinson looked like it would be a fun descent to connect up with High Snockrigg. Robinson down to the saddle then up onto Hindscarth was easy fun. The summit of Dale Head gave amazing views. We looked at the old mine zig zag track down into the valley. I definitely fancy a crack at it although you would lose all your height very quickly. The descent down to that point was lovely - steep and fun.
I recall the descent to Dale Head Tarn being steep and not much fun but we all really enjoyed it. The stone pitching was not greasy and we only had to divert off at one point to avoid a group walking up. IO can see why people might not like it but it all went in a steep, on the brakes kind of way. High Spy is an easy carry up and the ride over the ridge to Maiden Moor and Cat Bells is a real delight. We headed down the old mine tracks to Newlands Church then pedalled up the road to the car. I wasn’t ready to call it a day so left Tristan and Pete and did the carry up onto Knott Rigg. It went relatively quickly and the ride across the ridge is a real pleasure as the sun sets. The descent off Ard Crag was interesting on my own in the dark but it went save for one short steep section where I thought it wise to leave for daylight so I could see where I was riding. I really enjoyed it. It feels like steep chute riding through high heather. Overall, a really great day out. Puts me in the mood for riding the Hindscarth Ridge again too.
Cheers
Sanny
I heard that you were over Red Pike way yesterday. Any pics?
I was indeed. Headed up Red Pike, across to High Stile and down to Scarth Gap. We then climbed Haystacks, before dropping via Warnscale Bottom. Lovely techy janky awkwardness all day long. Only took a couple of pics, but they're not for public consumption yet 😉
If you're quick however, you can see a short vid of me descending a steep section towards Scarth Gap on my insta stories: https://www.instagram.com/stories/jamesvincent/3036745306630731658/
One question for you though, why the hell would you park at the top of Newlands? That means you've got a disgusting road climb to finish the day with. Surely you'd have been better starting in the bottom of the valley and get warmed up with a gentle spin up the road!
Did you carry up past Bleaberry Tarn?
Tristan was driving and it meant we could get high quickly. It is an easy spin up even at the end of the day. It also gave me the perfect opportunity to do Knott Rigg and Ard Crags to finish the peaks for the day before riding back to Bassenthwaite. I have Silva lights on test and they were bob on for the last bit of the day.
Yeah, carried past Bleaberry Tarn.
Still think you're a wrongun for starting at the top of Newlands 😀
Sooooooo another weekend of riding. Yesterday was a big one with all kinds of weather - sleet, wind (lots of wind), no really, LOTS, cloud, beautiful sunshine - everything really. Headed up onto the Catseye Cam shoulder and did and out and back to Birkhouse Moor. It was smashing. Just a great traverse. Managed to ride all the way up to the Catseye Cam / Swirral Edge saddle then carried up for a few minutes to the summit of Catseye Cam. I suspect that would make for a good descent back to Glenridding. Swirral Edge was fine apart from one walker who described it as a bit deathy with a bike! We just took it steady with careful foot and hand placement. Helvellyn to Dollywagon Pike was fun as usual. We headed up onto Fairfield and that would make for a storming descent. The route down to Cofa Pike was despair. Just don't bother unless carrying up it onto Fairfield.
St Sunday's Crag was as good as I remembered it. The bottom section is steep and stone pitched but I really enjoyed it. A big day out and worth the effort. Next time I would cut out Fairfield altogether. Still, you have to try it to find out eh?
Today was mint. Started with a short and steep carry up onto Rannerdale Knotts to ride the ridge. It was lovely and a smashing gradual descent for only a bit of effort to get up. Time was limited so we carried up Whiteless Pike and Wandope as opposed to carrying up the Grassmoor Ridge. Whiteless is an awesome descent but is a good way of getting up as there is some respite on the ascent to take a breather and relax. From Wandope, we did a short carry onto Grassmoor and rode the trail that skirts the edge of Gasgale. It is a beautifully flowy descent down to Coledale Hause and was even better this time round without the snow! Definitely a peak that is worth the effort to reach. I would combine it as a loop with a Whiteless Pike descent for sure.
To finish, we headed for Whiteside. Let me just say that the ridge is tremendous. There are two very short sections we didn't ride but it is a stone cold classic. However, the descent off the end is a real disappointment. There are sections of brilliance but two steep sections that are a carry down. I love my tech but it was a real let down. However, all is not lost as I reckon that heading off down to Lorton Dodd would make for a terrific way to enjoy the ridge and descend without the ignominy of having to carry down in places.
Fair play if you can ride down the steep sections of Whiteside. That is hard core!
Cheers
Sanny
For a really good day out, I reckon ride up to Coledale Hause from Newlands then from the saddle head south up the path to the eastern flank of Grassmoor. The carry up on the well defined track is over very quickly and the ride along the edge of Grassmoor is easy going with great views. The descent down along the initially faint path on the edge of the corrie is a banger - fast and flowy fun.
I would then opt to carry up to do the entire Whiteside Ridge but head off down Dodd to Lorton.
From there, I would return by carrying up the steep side of Rannerdale Knotts and riding the ridge which is an absolute delight. Into Buttermere then ride back via Rigg Beck.
It would mean a lot less carrying than we did but yesterday was really all about exploring.
Cheers
Sanny
Hi Sanny.
Headed up onto the Catseye Cam shoulder and did and out and back to Birkhouse Moor
Sounds brilliant. Will add that to the list.
<edit. Just realised the path you mean. We saw it from Sticks and I said to dave that it looked like a brilliant ascent up those bends....
We did St Sunday Crag on Friday.
https://flic.kr/p/2ojdhoZ
We went up via Grisedale and it does indeed look amazing as a descent. Dying to go back.
GT:
https://flic.kr/p/2oj9gCb
Is it better to go down the red path keeping to the ridge ( seemed to peter out in the bog) or drop down the black path to the left? Which then rejoins for the stone pitching section)
https://flic.kr/p/2ojbWcF
Alas we didn't rate SSC that much as the rocky steep bits were a tad hard for us. Shame really, must get better technique.
After cafe we headed up Sticks East
https://flic.kr/p/2ojemVg
The ascent up Sticks to the plateau is brilliant. Loads ofvrideable bits interspersed with quick height gain HaB.
and did Seldom Seen. Which is just stupendous. Much easier than SSC, so more suited to bimblers like us. Soooo much fun
https://flic.kr/p/2oje7Qe
Thursday I was planning some rancid sufferfest at Whinlatter. Luckily commonsense prevailed after 9 mini loops and I headed up GP. It was deeply windy, getting dark, and quite a sprinkling of snow and ice. I scoped out the classic descent line as I went up and am keen to have another crack at it in the spring at the beginning of a day. When I did it last time I was running on empty after doing Whiteless etc.
Anyway I went down Hobcarton End in the dark, which was OK.
Keen to get back and try the proper GP descent....