Early Birds Miss out on the Worm

[johnkaysleftleg]

So the final run in is upon us. To keep up with completing in September we needed to fit another walk in before our week in the Lakes in August. The forecast for Sunday was reasonably good with early showers giving way by about 10 O' Clock to make way for a fine late morning/afternoon. Unfortunately however whatever we were going to do it had to be fairly early as we had to get back home for tea time. The plan was formulated for the day so we'd get to the top of Catstyecam and decide, based on conditions, whether we'd go around Striding and Swiral edges or just descend to Red Tarn and Birkhouse Moor.

When we arrived at Glenridding things were looking quite promising as even though it was raining it was so light that waterproofs were not required. Unfortunately this state of events was not to last and by the time we crossed the bridge on the way up to Red Tarn the rain started in earnest.

Optimism on the Greenside Road by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Claggy Catstyecam by Anthony Young, on Flickr

It was a fairly dispiriting trudge upwards to be greeted by the clag, wind and rain at Red Tarn. Undaunted we set off up the fairly simple ascent to Catstyecam and soon arrived at the small summit in a vale of misty whiteness. Fortunately the rain had largely stopped so we had lunch staring out and attempting to imagine just how fine the views must be.

Not great at Red Tarn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Grace on Catstyecam by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Where did those Sheep Go? by Anthony Young, on Flickr

By the time we returned to the col the wind was still gusting and the ground was saturated so we took the sensible option of descending to Red Tarn, leaving the edges to another day.

Clag even lower. by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Kepple Cove by Anthony Young, on Flickr

It turned out the forecast wasn't too bad, just about an hour or so off as by the time we'd completed the simple walk to Birkhouse Moor the sun was out and Catstyecam and Striding Edge had emerged from the clag.
We sat at Birkhouse Moor's lower but more recognised summit for a while, taking in the ever improving views, before a leisurely stroll back to Glenridding for an ice cream.

Grace on the true summit of Birkhouse Moor by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Starting to clear by Anthony Young, on Flickr

View from Birkhouse Moor by Anthony Young, on Flickr

I can't look! by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Bah! by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Ullswater view by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Glenridding by Anthony Young, on Flickr

No day in the hills is a bad one but I must confess to this one being a touch disappointing, still Striding Edge isn't going anywhere soon so I guess we'll be back!

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[simon-b]

Great pictures again, Anthony, despite the clag. I wonder if Hughie remembered that he'd been here before:

[trailmasher]

Good report, great pics . We did the exact same route earlier in the year but we were lucky as the day was hot and clear. Shame that you had a bad weather day but, as you said, it's going nowhere. Oh! and only 15 to complete now I see

[mamoset]

Not many to go now to complete, it's quite a work of art the wall on Birkhouse Moor. Good to see you visited both cairns on this fell.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Great pictures again, Anthony, despite the clag. I wonder if Hughie remembered that he'd been here before:

P4130024.JPG

Cheers Simon, that was a cracking day, and I know I keep saying this, but one we'll have to repeat some time.

Good report, great pics . We did the exact same route earlier in the year but we were lucky as the day was hot and clear. Shame that you had a bad weather day but, as you said, it's going nowhere. Oh! and only 15 to complete now I see

Thank you, even without the edges its not a bad route, not sure Striding Edge would have been much fun in that weather.

Not many to go now to complete, it's quite a work of art the wall on Birkhouse Moor. Good to see you visited both cairns on this fell.

It is indeed a beautiful wall we have a week at Chapel Stile coming so we'll hopefully be very close to done after that.

[Alteknacker]

Some really excellent pics, clag notwithstanding.

I particularly like "I can't look" - it expresses wonderfully the emotions I have so often experienced when imagining how great the views must be!!!

[ChrisW]

Unlucky with the clag JK but as you say there's no such thing as a bad day in the hills You still got great photos too even in that lot, enjoyable for readers if not for participants mate, thanks for making it so

[johnkaysleftleg]

Some really excellent pics, clag notwithstanding.

I particularly like "I can't look" - it expresses wonderfully the emotions I have so often experienced when imagining how great the views must be!!!

Unlucky with the clag JK but as you say there's no such thing as a bad day in the hills You still got great photos too even in that lot, enjoyable for readers if not for participants mate, thanks for making it so

Thanks lads