July 22nd Strenuous

Sunday, 22nd July 2012

Walk:	Barf, Lords Seat plus Whinlatter visitor centre.
Start Point:	Powter Howe CP Thornthwaite	Grid Reference:	NY 220 265
Distance:	12 miles	Ascent:	3,600 feet
Time:	6 hours
Weather:	Dry with gale force winds
Comments:	Is this really summer! Our walk started well enough with a steady climb to the excellent view point of Barf, the wind at this stage being fresh but O.K. Continuing to Lords Seat it became apparent that the wind was actually quite strong. Our next goal was the ascent of Hopegill Head via Ladyside Pike. Having passed through the plantations, non-existent on the map, we reached the Whinlatter Pass road. After a short road walk the ascent to Ladyside Pike was quite a steady climb followed by a short section of rock/scree which had to be crossed to reach Hopegill Head. With less than 150m to the top, our progress was halted by gale force winds. Our only option was to return to the Whinlatter pass road and find suitable paths to take us back to the car. Only four people did the walk but despite the wind and abandoned route we still had a good day.