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

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