Start Point: Patterdale (NY 394 160) Patterdale – Hole-in-the Wall – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Swirral Edge – Catstycam – Birkhouse Moor – Patterdale Distance: 14.2 km Total Ascent: 898 metres Time Taken: 5 hours 10 minutes Start Time: 06:40 Weather: Some cloud, clearing. 4°C After seemingly endless days of gloom and overcast skies over the last week or two, […]
Well, here we are again! It took some time from the previous post to get a follow up but at last I have managed it.
Helvellyn is the third highest fell in the Lake District and one of the four over 3000 feet. Of course, the best way to get up there is to climb via the finest ridge in the District, Striding Edge! Height 950 metres Grid Reference NY 34167 15158 Category The Eastern Fells Walked on:
I seem to be following a bit of a pattern here with heading out early, chasing the sunrise but I find it is well worth it. Today’s views were just jaw dropping with the sun lighting up the fells with some fabulous colours. The wind was very strong making it feel like a bit of an Arctic expedition at times and I was well layered up for this one.
The forecast was making it look to good to miss today and fortunately they got it right. Striding Edge was looking good today, very good in fact with views for miles.
It has been sweltering over the weekend so I fancied getting out early today to ‘beat the heat’. I certainly managed that as it was pretty cold crossing Striding Edge this morning when the clouds swirled in. By the time I reached the summit of Helvellyn, the clouds had disappeared and the summer weather returned once more. On the way down to Patterdale I bumped into a gang of Striding Edge fans from Hull – nice to meet you all Martin and friends!
