Titlebar

Fell Guide: Wandope

Introduction

Wandope from southWandope is one of the less familiar fells in the Buttermere scene, and the vast majority of the walkers who cross the fell never visit the summit. The busy path from Whiteless Pike to Coledale Hause runs across the western flank of the fell, and is often using by walkers heading on or off Grasmoor, but very few take the short and not terribly difficult diversion to the grassy summit of Wandope.

The fells around Wandope take an unusual shape. Normally edges lead up towards a summit, but here Whiteless Edge reaches the western edge of an area of gently sloping land. This slopes up to the east to form Crag Hill and Wandope and west to form the eastern end of Grasmoor. The top of Wandope thus lies off the natural line of paths (as does Crag Hill),

Statistics

Grid Reference of Summit: NY 188 197
Height: 772m/2,533ft

Map

Routes of Ascent

The best way up Wandope is via Whiteless Pike and Whiteless Edge, starting from Buttermere.

It is also possible to climb the fell from the valley of Sail Beck (leading to Newlands Hause). A faint path runs up to the left of Addacomb Beck, then follows the ridge on the southern side of Addacomb Hole to reach the summit. This is a much steeper route.

Technically a direct ascent is possible via Coledale Hause - follow the path south from the Hause to the T-Junction - turn left as if heading for Crag Hill, but then right to work around the top of Addacomb Hole to the summit. One could also follow Rannerdale Beck up to Wandope Moss and head across to the summit from there, but neither of these can complete with the Whiteless Pike route.

Walks

We don't have a walk on Wandope, but our ascent of Grasmoor and Crag Hill can easily be modified to include a visit to the summit by heading around the top of Addacomb Hole.

The Summit

Wandope has a simple grassy summit, with more grass sloping away gently to the west. There are steeper slopes to the east and south. The biggest trap on the fell is the southern spur, which runs down to the east of Third Gill before getting much steeper and difficult.

Streams and Tarns

Addacomb Beck rises in Addacomb Hole (north of the summit) and flows east. It runs into Sail Beck, which forms the eastern boundary of the fell.

The southern boundary is formed by Third Gill. This rises between Wandope and Whiteless Edge, runs south alongside the edge then turns east to form the boundary, running into Sail Beck.

Rannerdale Beck rises in Wandope Moss and flows south-west past the fell, forming the western boundary.

Wandope has no tarns.

Other Features

-

Home - Photos - Guide - Links