6 Wainwrights in 3.5 hours

We decided on Wednesday that early Saturday was probably a good time for our latest adventure. As the time approached we were unsure of the weather so the plans varied from rock climbing through mountaineering to canyoning. The day dawned changeable but dry.

Jon had taken away my completed fells and came up with a plan to take a big chunk out of the remaining central massif but also include an outlying ridge via a high level col across the high point. We parked part way up Newlands and after visiting the Haystacks window took the path opposite the Bridge Inn.

This is a lovely walk up the side of Sail Beck and Jon spied so good spots for Outdoor Activities. After a sharp turn back on ourselves the climb began intially up Whiteless Breast and good views down onto Rannerdale Knott lightened the climb. This path wanders but soon the first objective comes into sight, Whiteless Pike. A good top but the way onwards looks far more exciting along the Whiteless edge towards Wandope. Views down to the right are fantastic and the glacially cut bowls with hanging valleys invite a nights bivvy. The top is away to the right but the immediate peak is a Birkett so it is worth sticking with the obvious line. On the hike across to Eel crag we found ourselves alone again as the three walkers we were following diverted to Grasmoor.

This is a real top with views, trig point and lots of accessible space. One solo walker sat behind the shelter munching as we dropped off towards Sail fell and the newly constructed zig zags. Passing the fourth top with little ceremony we admired the attempt at diverting water away from the eroding feet and were soon staring at the crossroads that is Sail Pass.

From here the path off heads South West toward the crossing at the head of Rigg Beck and Sail Beck; butty time. We had spied the faint way up which emerged at the top of Ard Crags. This is a lovely, isolated, quiet ridge with minuscule cairn and real interest in the views towards Newlands. There is also a hint to an industrial heritage and vista straight up the Newlands Hause waterfall at the head of Keskadale – the original Lakeland forest, now decimated.

As we approached Knott Rigg with another Birkett under our belts the heavens opened and so we exchanged an escape plan involving ridges and contouring for verges and waterproofs. A misplaced beer illustrated again the extent to which the tourists get ripped off, £6.70 for two beers! Much better off in the Manor, you could do two beers, a couple of pies and the paper for that sort of money.

Six Wainwrights, two Birketts in good time, an excellent mornings work.