Start Point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)
Patterdale – Hole-in-the Wall – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Swirral Edge – Catstycam – Birkhouse Moor – Patterdale
| Distance: | 14.3 km |
| Total Ascent: | 896 m |
| Time Taken: | 5 hours |
| Start Time: | 06:50 |
| Weather: | Mainly sunny. 7ºC |
| Finlay’s Wainwright Count: | 59/214 (3 new this walk) |
After a couple of weeks away on holiday, we returned home at the weekend and Finlay was itching to get out for a walk on the fells asap (that’s my story and i’m sticking to it!). I’d already thought about doing some of the more popular walks once the summer holidays were over and this one was top of the list.
So that was settled, first thing on Monday morning we were heading for Helvellyn for Patterdale. It is always a thrill to cross Striding Edge and the weather was excellent for it today – sunny and barely a breeze on the ridge with the weather only closing in a little on the top of Helvellyn. We actually finished the walk in shirt sleeves as it was lovely and warm a little further down.
I did wonder if Finlay would be okay on the edges (he was) and was cognizant that Helvellyn is the third highest Wainwright (no problem) – he seemed to take it all in his stride.
It is just about light heading towards Grisedale. We stopped at Grisedale Beck by the bridge so that Finlay could have a paddle and a drink before the climb, then there was an ‘uh-oh’ moment when we reached the steep field crossing (do you know the one?) to the intake wall. The field had cows with calves in and somehow we had to cross the short distance to get to safety on the other side – the problem was they were stood directly in line from where we were and where we wanted to be. There was nothing for it but to find another gate to the north-east and pick a way at treble quick spped up the steep fellside, trying to look like we were presenting no danger to cow nor calf! 
Phew! We could take it a little easier now as the sun started to rise giving a bit of light to proceedings. 
The setting moon – or is it rolling down the fell side? Finlay leads the way, he seems to know where he is going! 
Finally a little more light (and warmth) as we climb. Nethermost and Dollywaggon Pikes are lit up at the head of Grisedale. 
Climbing ever higher, looking back along the path ascended as we approach the Hole-in-the-Wall 
Dollywaggon Pike. 
At the Hole-in-the Wall, Birkhouse Moor at the end of the wall stretching into the distance. We will certainly be visiting there later in descent. 
Catstycam, also to bve visited on the return leg. 
Today’s route is clockwise following Striding Edge, Helvellyn and Swirral Edge. 
High Spying How – the start of Striding Edge and a hurry up call from Finlay. 
Finlay’s kennel name ‘just happens’ to be Breaksea Striding Edge. He doesn’t seem to be too phased by the crossing to come. 
Ready for the crossing Striding Edge. On the third peak in the distnce there are two people already crossing – they are the only two I saw until Birkhouse Moor (which is pretty good I would say for Striding Edge/Helvellyn/Swirral Edge and Catstycam!). 
Striding Edge – four towers and a chimney. 
Looking down on Red Tarn from Striding Edge. 
The view back along Striding Edge to High Spying How. 
Looking back to the Chimney from the Helvellyn side. The detour around the base of the Chimney is still available, so we used that rather than descend this tricky section. 
‘The Castle’ and Helvellyn ahead. 
Striding Edge from the steep climb to Helvellyn. 
A wider view with everything looking fabulous today. 
Made it to the summit cairn of Helvellyn, Wainwright #57 for Finlay. As soon as we got to the top the mist was rolling in and out and it was certainly a fair bit cooler up here – not that I’m complaining, we had a great walk to get here. 
Swirral Edge and Catstycam with a view to Ullswater, Raise in the left distance. 
The weather didn’t look quite so clear over on Coniston and the Langdales. 
All clear again and all alone on the summit plateau. 
Skiddaw and Blencathra from the cairn at the northern end of the Helvellyn plateau – this also signifies the toip of Swirral Edge. 
At the top of Swirral Edge, ready for the descent. This is getting more eroded every time I come this way, the first section is really bad now and is tricky to find a decent way down. I would say this is the most difficult section of the edges round. 
Looking back up Swirral Edge from the foot of the fisrt section. There is someone at the top, about to start the descent (for scale). 
Helvellyn from the foot of Swirral Edge. 
Ullswater from Catstycam. 
Looking back to Helvellyn from the summit of Catstycam. 
Swirral Edge from Red Tarn. 
Looking back at the route from Birkhouse Moor summit cairn (which is the one adjacent to the wall). 
We took a slight detour on the descent to the large cairn (marked on the map as ‘Birkhouse Moor’, AW – the cairn at 2318′) and out to The Nab (not the AW one!). We sat here, out of the breeze and away from all the people now climbing from Glenridding, for a drink and bite to eat. What a fine view of Ullswater there is from here. 
We passed many, many people going in the opposite direction on the Glenridding side of the wall but once over it we were all alone again. The old paths we followed into Grisedale are graded superbly, they knew how to do it in the good old days, that’s for sure. Grisedale is just lovely – this view is from the cow field mentioned earlier. I was fill of trepidation as we reached the gate but I needn’t have worried, the cows were gathered at the bottom of the field (down on the left in this photo) well away from the path so that made the crossing easy. Another dip and drink in Grisedale Beck for Finlay and a fine end to a great morning on the fells.
Absolutely classic walking. I remember doing this before I knew about AW, and missed off Catstycam and Birkhouse. Schoolboy error and needed a revisit!!
Hi Sean,
We have walked the Helvellyn group several times but always by other routes. This is not a walk the two of us will ever tackle as neither of us are able to deal with that amount of exposure. However that doesn’t stop us enjoying your fabulous photos and marvelling that both you and Finlay had completed such a difficult walk. Congratulations and a huge ‘Well Done’ to both of you. Looks like you had good weather for it too. We were also out yesterday on a walk of similar length, although on very different terrain, and we had good weather too. Did you have Finlay on a lead during the crossing of Striding Edge or did he just find his own way across? The walk along Grisedale, especially in winter when Saint Sunday Crag and the Helvellyn group are covered in snow, is one of our favourites. They are just fabulous to look and marvel at.
Best wishes,
John & Brenda