Sunday, 28th August 2011
| Walk: | Stybarrow Crag, Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, White Stones, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise, Lower Man, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge, Catstye Cam, Glenridding Valley | ||
| Start Point: | Stybarrow Crag | Grid Ref: | NY 387 179 |
| Distance: | 11.2 miles | Ascent: | 4,400 feet |
| Weather: | Mainly dry but a very strong wind on the fell tops | ||
| Accompanied by: |
Members of the group plus some visitors |
||
| Comments: | The day started off well but by the time we reached Sheffield Pike we were beginning to feel the effects of the wind. The temperature dropped as the wind grew in strength and walking became more difficult as we made our way from Raise to Helvellyn. Fortunately we were sheltered from the wind as we dropped off Helvellyn and onto Swirral Edge. Navigating the steep rocky descent was not too difficult and not as exposed as it looks from a distance - or from above. It is then a reasonably easy path to Catstye Cam, down to the Glenridding Valley and back to the cars. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Looking back over Ullswater . . .
as we navigate obstacles in Glencoyne Wood
Ullswater again, from Glenridding Dodd . . .
where the climb to Sheffield Pike provides the backdrop to my summit photo
Taking in the view of . . .
Patterdale from the lookout point . . .
before returning to the summit
Gillside campsite looks very busy
Climbing up to Sheffield Pike . . .
with a brief pause on the way
Birkhouse Moor on the left with Helvellyn in the centre . . .
and looking down the Glencoyne Valley to Great Mell Fell in the opposite direction
A rather windy Stybarrow Dodd . . .
and an even windier Raise . . .
Lower Man and Helvellyn can be clearly seen . . .
from Whiteside
The north-west side of Catstye Cam rises steeply from Keppel Cove
Looks pretty busy on Helvellyn . . .
but there are good views of Catstye Cam and Ullswater on the way . . .
and Striding Edge with St Sunday Crag rising behind
Helvellyn summit cairn . . .
and the nearby cross shelter
The steep rocky descent . . .
leads down to Swirral Edge . . .
with good views of Red Tarn
Looking back to the initial descent . . .
and over Red Tarn to Striding Edge
Heading up to Catstye Cam . . .
for a summit photo . . .
and a look back to the initial descent . . .
then down to the valley path
Out of the wind - and time to adjust the layers
A last look back to Red Tarn, Helvellyn and Striding Edge . . .
which a number of people are navigating
Making our way down beside Glenridding Beck
Ullswater overlooked by Place Fell