White Side in the Lake District is one of Wainwrights Eastern Fells and forms part of the Helvellyn range. It says a lot about the impressive stature of this range that while White Side is the 15th largest fell in the Lake District, there are four higher mountains in the range, Helvellyn itself, Nethermost Pike, Catstycam and Nethermost Pike. The western face of Wide Side is smooth and grassy as it rolls towards Thirlmere, while the Eastern slope is markedly different, formed mainly from crags and screes and falling much more abruptly. The fell itself is sandwiched between the two higher Wainwrights, Helvellyn to the South and Raise to the North.
The view is somewhat interrupted by these higher fells, but many of the major fell groups are still visible, while the impressive Helvellyn is majestic from the seldom seen direction of White Side summit. Perhaps the best views come in the form of Skiddaw and the Dodds in the foreground, stretching out to the Northwest. These views are accessible via a number of direct White Side walks exist, from Swirls, Thirlspot, Glenridding together with a very steep path that rises from Brown Cove Dam.
Wainwright baggers are spoiled for choice in the Helvellyn range, and White Side is no different. A good choice for completing peaks from Wainwright maps comes from a circular route that begins in popular Patterdale, which first climbs Arnison Crag before continuing on to Birks, St Sunday Crag, Fairfield, Dollywagon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn. The latter part of the circuit takes in White Side, before returning to the starting position by way of Glenridding. A full days walking for sure, but an excellent way of completing some of the highest Wainwright fells in one day.
Further detail on these Wainwright walks and the fells in the Helvellyn range can be read about in Book One, The Eastern Fells, by Alfred Wainwright, a volume of the Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells.
Plan and record your progress through the Wainwright Fells of the Lake District