Easter Sunday and the four of us have been joined by Loes's daughter Danielle and her partner Peter.

Tom, Abi and Peter fancied a higher mountain walk, so Whiteside and Hopegill were selected as they are prominent fells seen from our part of the valley.

Unfortunately Tom's leg was playing up after the activity of the last few days, so he and Abi changed plans soon after the start.

The starting point of today's walk was the car park at Lanthwaite Green.

It's 10.30am and we managed to find one of the last off-road parking spots this Easter Sunday morning.

The initial walking party, Tom, Abi, Peter and the dogs (Dougal and Astrid) . . . plus myself.

Another glorious spring day with beautiful sunshine and really clear air.

The rivers are low and the ground is beginning to look a little parched, as we haven't had rain for weeks.

The wider picture, from the distant triangle of Red Pike, over Crummock Water, round to Low Fell and the Lorton Valley.

Mellbreak is the darker coloured fell, left of centre.

The panorama was taken as we started our ascent of Whin Ben, having crossed the boulder filled River Liza via the bridge below.

Looking across at the impressive bulk of Mellbreak, which stands alone from other fells, guardian of the western side of Crummock Water.

The steep ascent at this point was causing Tom real problems after the strains of the last few days,

so he and Abi rightly decided to change plans and headed back down to enjoy a less taxing walk back to the cottage.

This was the view down into the Gasgale Gill Valley as we climb high above Whin Ben.

After a rugged and steep climb the ground levels out and we approach the top of Whiteside.

Views are now extensive with the 3000ft peaks of Skiddaw and Helvellyn being visible through the gaps ahead.

The third and highest of the three, Scafell Pike was visible, but doesn't feature in this photo as it was out of the picture to the right.

Ahead is the prospect of one of Lakeland's finest higher ridge walks, taking in the undulating skyline all the way along to Hopegill Head.

After a quiet climb, suddenly there were several walking groups in sight, all of which must have made earlier starts than we had on this lovely morning.

Astrid enjoying the freedom of the fells.	Peter's close up as we walk the ridge.

Looking down the parched landscape of the Gasgale Crags and across to Grasmoor's northern slopes.

The Gasgale Valley below would be our return route.

The well visited and bare rock summit of Hopegill Head is devoid of any cairn or trig point, but it does have wonderful views.

	- - - o o o - - -     The view of Skiddaw and Little Man from the summit. with Astrid in the foreground.     I persuaded Peter to take a slight diversion down the "Hopegill Slabs" to better appreciate the rock and the views on the northern side of the summit.     To be fair, he didn't need a lot of persuading !     - - - o o o - - -

We reverse the climb, back up the slabs and topped-out on the summit once again.

I decided to take a panorama view this time . . . and seeing a group of people having their lunch, persuaded us to do likewise.

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

Suitably refreshed, we walk across to Sand Hill summit, admiring the view of the broad Helvellyn Ridge that filled the far horizon.

I must presume the name of this fell, Sand Hill, comes from the bare and heavily broken nature of the rock, especially the screes on the side, which acquire a yellow tinge in late afternoon sun.

Anyone got any better ideas ?

The view west from the same place, down the Gasgale Valley towards Crummock and the Loweswater Fells.

The main path heads on towards Grasmoor and Ill Crag after crossing Coledale Hause.

We'll take the more indistinct track that heads off right towards the river.

This couple's lunch spot seems to have attracted some high-level locals who, when they saw our dogs,

came over to claim this part of the fell (and possibly this lunching couple) as 'all part of their territory'.

It was a warm day so Dougal headed over to the river to cool his feet.

Peter declined and kept his shoes on.

The route now became steep and rugged as winter storms in recent years have washed out the paths.

Where the worst of the erosion had occurred, the walking public and presumably the sheep, have created new paths amongst the confusion.

At the foot of the slope the river had gained tributaries and now had the strength to wash out the path completely.

Consequently a new track has developed higher up the slope, but it has yet to fully form its own horizontal ledge through the gravel, so walking was not easy.

The fallen boulder sits below a junction in the valley path.

By following the lower path you get to see the waterfall at the rock step.

There's a 20 foot scramble alongside the falls but it is slightly daunting and an alternative path has emerged in recent years.

Not quite the end as Peter and I have to cross the old fields to reach the road at Lanthwaite, where our transport waits in the car park.