| Walk: | Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise, White Side, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge, Catstye Cam, Red Tarn Beck, Ullswater | ||
| Start Point: | Parking area by Stybarrow Crag | Grid Reference: | NY 387 179 |
| Distance: | 11.2 miles | Ascent: | 4,100 feet |
| Time: | 6.75 hours | ||
| Weather: | An overcast but dry day. A strong northerly wind on exposed ridges. | ||
| Comments: | Twelve walkers attended for this outing including five newcomers. Fortunately, the low cloud which was forecast did not occur, and we were well rewarded for our efforts with good all round views. There was however, a very strong wind which sometimes impeded progress and made me wonder about the wisdom of going down Swirral Edge! In the event the descent was well sheltered and completed easily. The consensus at the end of the walk was that everyone had enjoyed their day on the fells. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Ullswater from the climb through Glencoyne Wood . . .
where we have to navigate past a fallen tree
Ullswater from . . .
Glenridding Dodd
Some of the group head across to a lookout point . . .
with views down to Patterdale . . .
before returning to the summit
Gillside campsite looks pretty busy this weekend (Bank Holiday)
Climbing up to Sheffield Pike . . .
where a flat section is the perfect spot for a catch-up stop
Birkhouse Moor with Helvellyn to the right
Leaving Sheffield Pike . . .
to make our way across to . . .
Stybarrow Dodd . . .
where we have time for a few photos . . .
including down the Glencoyne Valley to Great Mell Fell
Ian catches the group heading up to . . .
Raise . . .
with views across to Skiddaw in the north . . .
and Helvellyn in the south
The winds are increasing in strength as we pass White Side
The north-west side of Catstye Cam rises steeply from Keppel Cove
It looks pretty busy on Helvellyn
Looking over Catstye Cam to Ullswater . . .
and across to Striding Edge with St Sunday Crag behind
Helvellyn summit cairn . . .
and the cross shelter
Heading down the rocky descent . . .
to Swirral Edge, seen below
Red Tarn
From Swirral Edge we can see the beginning of the descent . . .
and across to Striding Edge . . .
and on to Catstye Cam . . .
where I pose for a summit photo
Looking back to Helvellyn and the descent . . .
and on down the path . . .
where we take time to adjust the layers
A last view of Helvellyn and Striding Edge . . .
where a few people navigate the ridge
Heading down beside Glenridding Beck . . .
to Glenridding, with Place Fell rising beyond Ullswater