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.
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.

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.

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

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.

The Helvellyn ridge recently walked. Crampons back on again for the steep and icy descent to Cofa Pike.