Wednesday, 14th May 2014
| Walk: | Birkhouse Moor, Catstye Cam, Swirral Edge, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Dollywaggon Pike, Grisedale Valley | ||
| Start Point: | Patterdale Hotel car park | Grid Reference: | NY 395 159 |
| Distance: | 13 miles | Ascent: | 3,700 feet |
| Time: | 8 hours | ||
| Weather: | Sunny and mild | ||
| Comments: | A perfect day for a walk so it was up to the Lakes to Helvellyn and four other Wainwrights. It was a long ascent to reach Birkhouse Moor but continuing on past Red Tarn to Catstye Cam and Swirral Edge we were surprised to meet a couple of cyclists who resorted to carrying their bikes up the steeper parts!!! Follwing an unclear path up the Edge we eventually reached the top and took advantage of the cross shelter to eat lunch. After following the route to Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike we descended towards Grisedale Tarn - passing four more cyclists - carrying bikes! The easy, though rough at times, path took us back to Patterdale - a very enjoyable walk in great weather. | ||
Taking the path behind the hotel we soon have views over Ullswater
After crossing Grisedale Beck the higher path . . .
soon brought Glenridding into view
Striding Edge is on the left but Swirral Edge looks quite daunting from here
Our first Wainwright of the day as Sheila . . .
and I claim Birkhouse Moor . . .
from where the far reaches of Ullswater can be seen
Catstye Cam, on the right, is our next target
Zooming in on Striding Edge
and the final climb to Helvellyn
Red Tarn . . .
and again from the path to Swirral Edge
Catstye Cam . . .
and again . . .
and once more
On the way to Swirral Edge . . .
but from the bottom . . .
you can only see a small part of it
Half way up . . .
and finally at the top
Loking back down the scamble to Catstye Cam
Descending Swirral Edge . . .
in August 2011
Red Tarn (again)
The summit of Helvellyn . . .
with Sheila . . .
and myself
The nearby cairn . . .
makes a good seat . . .
and vantage point
Lunch time at the cross shelter . . .
but not everyone walks here . . .
how about a bike instead!
Striding Edge
Leaving Helvellyn behind . . .
Nethermost Pike . . .
is our next stop . . .
followed by . . .
Dollywagon Pike
Looking back across Nethermost Pike to Helvellyn with Catstye Cam peeping up behind Striding Edge
Descending towards Grisedale Tarn . . .
another unusual site . . .
how do they do that!!!!
Behind Rusthwaite Lodge
Keeping an eye on his ladies!