Helvellyn Edges in Early Snows

[dav2930]

Unexpected, significant snow-cover on the fells led to a last minute decision to do the Striding-Swirral circuit. Would normally have left this for later in the winter, but no guarantee nowadays of proper winter conditions in the Lakes, so Karl and me grabbed this early opportunity.

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As it turned out, and as we ought to have expected, the snow was very powdery, so a bit unsatisfactory from a mountaineering point of view. But a grand day out all the same.

Rattlebeck Bridge and The Nab

Spindrift blowing off St Sunday Crag

Ullswater from the top of Mires Beck

High Street range from top of Mires Beck

Helvellyn and Catstycam from shoulder of Birkhouse Moor

Striding Edge and Helvellyn

Dollywaggon Pike and Fairfield

St Sunday Crag across Grisedale

Birkhouse Moor and Place Fell from start of Striding Edge

Half way along Striding Edge looking towards Helvellyn

Looking back to High Spying How

The chimney descent from the end of Striding Edge

Across Nethermost Cove

The final slopes up Helvellyn

Red Tarn and Catstycam.

Striding Edge from higher up Helvellyn

Sun shining on Coniston Water, from shelter near Helvellyn Summit.

People near Gough's Memorial

Descending Swirral Edge, heading for Catstycam.

Looking back up Swirral Edge.

View from Catstycam looking down the Glenridding Beck to Ullswater.

Keppel Cove, Whiteside and Raise.

Swirral Edge and Helvellyn from Catstycam.

Red Tarn and Striding Edge from Catstycam.

Got back to car by 3.10pm so time for tea and toasted teacakes in the fleshpots of Glenridding. Thought we'd rough it at the Inn by the Lake for a change. £7.20 each Fellbites next time!

[martin.h]

Crikey! how things change in a week. Cracking photo's, I like the 6th one showing Striding Edge with Helvellyn disappearing in the cloud, very atmospheric.
Cheers.

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Stunning views of a great circuit!

Tim

[trailmasher]

A great trip out in the snow and some fine winter shots there dav a very fine double ridge walk indeed. Glad you posted

[dav2930]

Crikey! how things change in a week. Cracking photo's, I like the 6th one showing Striding Edge with Helvellyn disappearing in the cloud, very atmospheric.
Cheers.

Thanks Martin. Yes, it was quite a surprise to see the fells covered in snow on the Friday morning; fortunately it lasted into the weekend. There's something to be said for a bit of atmospheric clag I suppose!

Stunning views of a great circuit!

Tim

Thanks Tim! Definitely my favourite winter circuit in the Lakes

A great trip out in the snow and some fine winter shots there dav a very fine double ridge walk indeed. Glad you posted

Thanks very much TM!

[johnkaysleftleg]

Some great pics there Dav, I considered a trip to Lakeland on Sunday but opted for a potter around the Yorkshire Moors given my lack of fitness. That said it was bloody freezing at 400m so I'm not sure how I'd have found it on higher ground.

[dav2930]

Some great pics there Dav, I considered a trip to Lakeland on Sunday but opted for a potter around the Yorkshire Moors given my lack of fitness. That said it was bloody freezing at 400m so I'm not sure how I'd have found it on higher ground.

Thanks JK It was probably colder on that eastern side than it was in the Lakes. It was quite cold in the strong wind on top of Helvellyn though - I was glad I had my winter layers on!