Striding Edge - Tuesday 9th December 2008

Tuesday 9th December 2008

Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)

Patterdale - Striding Edge - Helvellyn - Nethermost Pike - Dollywaggon Pike - Hause Gap - Fairfield - Cofa Pike - Saint Sunday Crag - Patterdale

Distance: 11 miles Total Ascent: 1410 metres Time Taken: 7 hours

Weather: Sunny spells, icy wind. 3oC.

Route Map

The snow has begun to thaw and it was all a bit dull and overcast when I set off from Patterdale this morning. Once up to the Hole-in-the-Wall though, there were regular sunny spells and the crossing of Striding Edge is a s fantastic as ever in winter conditions. I lengthened the walk by climbing to Fairfield after the Helvellyn ridge but the wind was mighty strong and cold up there and it made walking quite difficult at times. The days are pretty short at the moment and the descent was mirrored by the setting of the sun.

NOTE: This walk was done in winter conditions and it can be extremely hazardous up on Striding Edge in this weather. Just because I did it with my dog doesn't mean to say you can. Please make sure you are properly equipped for the conditions.

It was all a bit overcast when I set off into Grisedale. Here the path to the Hole-in-the-Wall can be seen running diagonally right to left with the wall visible in the centre.

Looking to the head of Grisedale, Saint Sunday Crag to the left.

Clearing out a bit now looking back to Place Fell.

Climbing the path.

Dollywaggon Pike and Nethermost Pike under cloud.

At the Hole-in-the-Wall. The crampons were on by here.

Looking back to Birkhouse Moor and Ullswater.

Heading for Low Spying How.

Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstycam.

Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Low Spying How.

Who's the King of the Castle?

The first view of Striding Edge.

The cloud was constantly clearing then swirling back in on the climb.

There was quite a contrast with a lot less snow on the Far Eastern fells.

I caught up with group from Sheffield on the crossing of Striding Edge. They were much hardier than me as they had camped out at Red Tarn last night.

A tricky crossing over the icy rocks. Crampons and an ice axe were essential today. The Dixon memorial is to the right.

Further along Striding Edge.

These photos make it look clear but the mist was still swirling on and around us as we crossed.

Looking back, almost at The Chimney now.

The Chimney.

The climb to reach Helvellyn.

A misty Striding Edge from the climb.

That's a clearer view.

A great view of the full length of Striding Edge.

Here's a view looking down the climb to show conditions when the mist was down and the equipment required to get up here!

The Gough Memorial.

No view from the summit for us today.

Heading for Nethermost Pike.

A bit further along the ridge and the mist has cleared again.

Fairfield, Dollywaggon Pike and High Crag from Nethermost Pike.

A view to the west.

Heading for Dollywaggon Pike with Fairfield and Great Rigg in view with a glimpse of Windermere.

Dollywaggon Pike.

High Crag from Dollywaggon Pike.

The old post marks the start of the steep descent to Grisedale Tarn.

Snowbeard on the descent.

Saint Sunday Crag and Fairfield above Grisedale Tarn.

All clear over Fairfield.

Once at Hause Gap the wind really picked up and the climb to Fairfield was pretty tough. This view is through to the Coniston fells. This is where I took my crampons off too as they were more of a hindrance rather than a help.