Walkhighlands

A free Saturday and good forecast made my mind up to head over to the Lakes and walk a Grisedale round. Parked at the old school and was off just on first light. Headed up Arnison Crag first. Under foot was nicely frozen, so good time was made to the summit. Headed next for Birks, going round Trough Head, before locating the ascent path. A cold wind picked up here, so I headed quickly on, taking the edge path of St. Sunday Crag before hitting the summit. I decided to miss out Fairfield, and dropped off Deepdale Hause, skirting Fairfield and heading to Seat Sandal via Grisedale Hause. After a bite to eat, I left Seat Sandal and set off on the long climb which would take me to Helvellyn. Looking North, the views were lovely and clear, but there was a bank of cloud moving up from the South, making it a bit hazy. First stop on the ascent is Dollywagon Pike. Unfortunately, there was a large group hanging round the cairn, so I pushed on, heading over High Crag, making for Nethermost Pike. The amount of people milling around was unbelievable. There was queues of walkers on Striding Edge, the cross shelter was full to bursting and there was groups sat around chatting. I managed to push in to the summit of Helvellyn, and after a quick photo, headed for Striding Edge before that became too congested!!! With Striding Edge easily negotiated, I had another break, before finishing the days tops on Birkhouse Moor. I went back to the Hole-in-the-Wall and followed the path down to Grisedale. The frost was still persisting in the valley, so it was quite cool as I made my way back to the car, happy after a great day out.

Damned decent effort there mamoset and apart from the mob on Helvellyn and Dolly Wagon a great day out with great pictures and excellent weather to help you achieve it all

I did a very similar route on the same day, and many of my pics are virtually identical to yours!!! I thought for a moment that I was looking at my own pics!!!. We only diverged after Helvellyn. I wonder what your timing was, that we didn't meet? I left Glenridding at 7.55....

But wasn't it just such a fantastic day?? I to spend more time snapping that walking!

The thing that really amazed me - apart from the sensational Ullswater views in drifting mist right at the start - was the unbelievable number of fell runners I reckon I must have encountered over 150 people, and at least HALF were fell runners!!! And an astonishing number wearing only shorts (as you know, it was incredibly cold in wind-exposed places). Is fell running the new computer game...??? If so, it's got to be a good thing...

One of the runners said he'd also spent more time snapping than running....

trailmasher wrote:Damned decent effort there mamoset and apart from the mob on Helvellyn and Dolly Wagon a great day out with great pictures and excellent weather to help you achieve it all

hi tm, correct on all counts though shouldn't bemoan the mobs, after all, I was part of it

Alteknacker wrote:I did a very similar route on the same day, and many of my pics are virtually identical to yours!!! I thought for a moment that I was looking at my own pics!!!. We only diverged after Helvellyn. I wonder what your timing was, that we didn't meet? I left Glenridding at 7.55....

But wasn't it just such a fantastic day?? I to spend more time snapping that walking!

The thing that really amazed me - apart from the sensational Ullswater views in drifting mist right at the start - was the unbelievable number of fell runners I reckon I must have encountered over 150 people, and at least HALF were fell runners!!! And an astonishing number wearing only shorts (as you know, it was incredibly cold in wind-exposed places). Is fell running the new computer game...??? If so, it's got to be a good thing...

One of the runners said he'd also spent more time snapping than running....

hey alte, I left Patterdale @ 0740 so was just ahead of you. I know what you mean about fell runners, it seems to be the next big thing, though I think i'll stick to ambling about, too much snot on the go when you're running . It was a fine day to be out, glad I chose Helvellyn, views were just never ending

Wow! what a fantastic day out, the views you had were fantastic, as are the photo's.
We're hoping to get to the Lakes again this coming weekend, fingers crossed for similar conditions.
Cheers.

martin.h wrote:Wow! what a fantastic day out, the views you had were fantastic, as are the photo's.
We're hoping to get to the Lakes again this coming weekend, fingers crossed for similar conditions.
Cheers.

Thanks martin, hope you do get the weather, can't beat it

Great report of a great walk mamoset - St Sunday Crag and Striding Edge make a fine combo. Some superb shots there. That was a wonderful day to be out on the fells!

That's a good distance Mamoset with some graft in it too Such lovely photos all the way through. You must have had an early start by the look of things. I guess you're right about the crowds, it's like moaning about traffic when you are sat in it Still, there's a lot to be said for the solitude of the hills when you can get it

Great stuff as always

ChrisW wrote:That's a good distance Mamoset with some graft in it too Such lovely photos all the way through. You must have had an early start by the look of things. I guess you're right about the crowds, it's like moaning about traffic when you are sat in it Still, there's a lot to be said for the solitude of the hills when you can get it

Great stuff as always

Hey Chris, cheers for that, the early starts are par for the course nowadays agree with the traffic analogy

great report love the clouds photo on Crinkle Crags and Bowfell

great_gable wrote:great report love the clouds photo on Crinkle Crags and Bowfell

Cheers gg