Striding Edge

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Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge

Walked on 11/03/2010

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

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.

Helvellynmap

Helvellyn route map.

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

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An enticing prospect from the bridge over Grisedale Beck..

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Grisedale.

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

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

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Looking back to Place Fell.

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

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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.

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Looking across to Fairfield and Dollywaggon Pike.

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

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Striding Edge and Helvellyn.

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Snowy Helvellyn.

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Beautiful conditions here today.

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Striding Edge from High Spying How.

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Crossing Striding Edge.

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

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Nethermost Cove and Nethermost Pike.

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Onwards across Striding Edge.

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Looking back along Striding Edge.

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

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Looking back before the drop down to round The Chimney.

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

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Striding Edge from the climb.

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That was steep Casper!

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Striding Edge from the summit plateau of Helvellyn.

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

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The view to the west.

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

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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!

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Looking across to Bowfell and the Scafells.

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Catstycam and Ullswater with The Pennines beyond.

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Crinkle Crags and Bowfell.

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

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Skiddaw.

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

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Dougal leading the way down Swirral Edge.

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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.

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Swirral Edge from the bottom.

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Catstycam from Swirral Edge.

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

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Swirral Edge from Red Tarn.

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Frozen Red Tarn and Helvellyn.

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

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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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