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A few jobs done, lunch enjoyed at home and there was still enough nice weather to take Dylan for a longer afternoon walk. 

Leaving Harry to sleep off his lunch, Dylan and I did a short out-and-back trek, Whiteside via Whin Ben.

[ We had to be home in good time to get to Penrith to meet Ann off the train later.]

A busy car park at Lanthwaite Green this Sunday afternoon.

The view across the way sums up our walk . . . just the climb and descent to work off a bit of (canine) energy.

Overcast skies but with sufficient breaks to let the sun through.

It has clouded over since the beautiful weather at the head of Buttermere this morning.

The dry weather and sunshine has reduced the snow cover on High Stile and Red Pike.

Low Fell and Fellbarrow on the opposite side of the Lorton Valley.

There are three slightly rocky climbs up to the summit, the first being the final part of the ascent up to Whin Ben.

From the grassy knoll we get a first view of Sand Hill

and the curved shape of the top end of the Gasgale Gill Valley.

To my left the visibility allow distant and clear views of individual fields on the Scottish coast.

Climbing now above Whin Ben, the sun reflecting on Crummock Water far below.

The second step . . . another rocky section on the way to the top.

You can now see into the dry comb below Grasmoor's Dove Crags.

Very different snow conditions from my walk just two weeks ago with my daughter up there on the summit.

The third steep, rocky section ahead . . . we're nearly there !

Summiting out without even puffing for breath (the dog that is !).

I take a moment to enjoy the view on your behalf.

Click here or on the photo above for a Loweswatercam 360 degree annotated panorama.

After the exercise of the steady climb we have the chance of a little gentle relaxation . . .

by walking to the intermediate summit on the Whiteside Ridge.

Looking down the Hopegill Valley to Lorton, Cockermouth and the northern Solway Plain.

The sunlight on Crummock catches the eye as I turn for the walk back.

On the way down I take advantage of the grassy slopes which makes it easier on the legs

and a lot less potential for slipping than on the occasional stoney sections of the upward path.

Down in good time . . . my route being the diagonal path down through the dead bracken on the left of the picture.

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I knew the map had a slight error on the position of the green path but checking the Gps tracklog afterwards

I was really surprised at how far out the marked path actually was.  Check out the map at the top of this page.

If you are using the O.S. 1:25k remember that the lighter black dotted lines are often more accurate than the prominent green ones.

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