Stybarrow Dodd, Watsons Dodd, Raise, White Side

We started the walk, leaving the hustle and bustle of Grenridding car park, and were soon by ourselves, with only the noise of the beck to our left,  walking along the track to the YHA. A well signed track then took us  zig-zagging easily and pleasantly upwards, despite the fact we were climbing through the old mineworks, and in no time at all we were entering the flat basin looking west towards Sticks Pass and east to Sheffield Pike.

The weather was excellent, a high cloud cover, not too warm and a coolish breeze. Excellent views opened out across to Striding Edge, Catstye Cam and the Helvellyn range.  The purple heather was just beginning to carpet the hillside. Having stopped for lunch just before Sticks Pass we discussed the route once on the ridge. Our original plan was to walk over Raise and Whiteside then back down. On attaining the pass the view  across the western lakeland fells was breathtaking. The clarity made each mountain range to the west easily identifiable. From Blencathra and Skidaw in the north then, working south, to Grisedale Pike and the Grasmoor hills, onto the Buttermere hills with Pillar glistening in a ray of sunshine, on further to the unmistakeable Gable then a clear view of Scafell  Pike,  sweeping south to Bow Fell, Crinkle Crags and the Coniston fells.


White Side and Lower Man from Raise

It was such an superb feeling on the ridge that we decided to extend the route and take in the tops of Stybarrow Dodd and Watsons Dodd. So, we headed north  to the former, the summit being just right of the main path, then down and across marshy ground to Watsons Dodd looking down over the lowly High Rigg over to Keswick. Retracing our steps to Sticks Pass it was a simple haul up to Raise and then on to White Side. Lower Man and Helvellyn looked temptingly close as did the small specks of people traversing Striding Edge. However, it was time to descend the easy path down, passing Kepple Cove down to the right, to the YHA  and then back to Glenridding for a welcomed cup of tea.


Time 6hrs 30 mns

Grade  Excellent

Memories

• Excellent visability and views
• Perfect walking weather

Completed 127  To go 87