Thursday 11th March 2010

Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)

Patterdale - Hole-in-the Wall - Striding Edge - Helvellyn - Swirral Edge - Catstycam - Patterdale

Distance: 7.6 miles     Total Ascent: 900 metres     Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes     Start Time: 08:15

Weather: Half beautiful, half dull! 7oC

Route Map

I couldn't resist a walk over Striding Edge today in winter conditions and at the start of the walk, it looked very promising indeed. I was glad later that I had set off relatively early for this walk as a sheet of cloud caught us and covered the fells whilst I was on the summit of Helvellyn. I cannot complain though as it was a superb walk in brilliant conditions. On the way back down to Grisedale it was nice to bump into a couple of Striding Edge followers and have a chat.

Amazing sky over Birks first thing this morning, taken from the main road in Patterdale.

An enticing prospect from the bridge over Grisedale Beck..

Grisedale.

Grisedale again from higher up, on the path to the Hole-in-the-Wall.

The view to Dollywaggon Pike whilst Casper and Dougal make a break for it.

Looking back to Place Fell.

Helvellyn and Catstycam from above the Hole-in-the-Wall.

A lone figure ahead on the climb towards Striding Edge. I stopped here to put crampons on and by the time I caught him at Low Spying How, he was admitting defeat and turning back as he was not equipped for the conditions - a wise move I think.

Looking across to Fairfield and Dollywaggon Pike.

Ullswater beyond Birkhouse Moor. Look at that great sheet of cloud creeping towards us from the north and east.

Striding Edge and Helvellyn.

Snowy Helvellyn.

Beautiful conditions here today.

Striding Edge from High Spying How.

Crossing Striding Edge.

There's that cloud again looking over Red Tarn to Catstycam.

Nethermost Cove and Nethermost Pike.

Onwards across Striding Edge.

Looking back along Striding Edge.

There is no side path visible today so the only option is to walk the narrow arête.

Looking back before the drop down to round The Chimney.

Dougal searches for the best way to tackle the steep climb up to the summit.

Striding Edge from the climb.

That was steep Casper!

Striding Edge from the summit plateau of Helvellyn.

Looking southwards across the cross shelter with the remains of an igloo to the left.

The view to the west.

The big cornice on Helvellyn - it's looking a bit dark over that way.

Dougal and Casper on Helvellyn - there isn't much of the trig. column sticking out of the snow, these two are almost level with it!

Looking across to Bowfell and the Scafells.

Catstycam and Ullswater with The Pennines beyond.

Crinkle Crags and Bowfell.

A lone figure crosses Lower Man looking to Bassenthwaite Lake and beyond.

Skiddaw.

The cornice from the start of the descent of Swirral Edge.

Dougal leading the way down Swirral Edge.

Looking back up Swirral Edge. The deep packed snow has smoothed out the normally rough and rocky path making the going more straightforward than usual.

Swirral Edge from the bottom.

Catstycam from Swirral Edge.

The sun has been completely obscured by that great sheet of cloud now. Casper checks out Glenridding from the top of Catstycam.

Swirral Edge from Red Tarn.

Frozen Red Tarn and Helvellyn.

Helvellyn and Catstycam from the approach to the Hole-in-the-Wall.

Birkhouse Moor from the wall crossing. I followed the old path from here - it has a much better gradient than the modern one and it is grassy, making it easier on the knees.

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