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Helvellyn was one of my goals for this year - especially via the Striding Edge. Living in Scotland, Munros are mostly my walking / climbing targets during a Year, but I love the variety of british mountains so at least once per Year ( since 2013 ) I am driving out to Lake District in England or to conquer North Wales - Snowdonia. Each of the areas is different and unique, but all the mountains shows us own specific beauty
Friday was my day off work and the weather forecast looked more than promising for ( but not only ) Eastern Lake District
End of the Year is almost here so I wanted use the opportunity to complete my goal. Prepared all my stuff I was looking forward to enjoy the autumnal colours on Helvellyn and some nearest neighbours - kept it opened how many more I would connect on my route, all depends on the time, circumstances and conditions ( mountains and mine
)...so no stressed by the time so much as there is a lot of possibilities on the way which I can decide during the walk. The only limitation for me was the fact that because of week day I must be back home by 16:30 to care for my 4 years daughter Cheyenne. Fortunately the driving time from home is only 2 hours and 20 mins. which is less than some ( many ) Munro areas in Scotland....... or Snowdonia - of course
Decided for start from Patterdale, arrived in darkness and after driving through the village and back found this car park...spacious enough, not so far from my planned start point and the price is affordable for all day Hope no need, but good to know Crossed the road shortly after the mountain rescue towards Grisedale, followed the tarmac road...
It says all...First ascent and the view of GrisedaleThe nice pathI left the path and walked straight up steeper grassy slope - shortcut towards my 1st target Birkhouse Moor Looking back - Patterdale in the backgroundThe summit of Birkhouse MoorTowards East......and towards West - Helvellyn ahead ! ...Catstyecam on the right Here you will get if you will follow the path from Patterdale. Birkhouse Moor in the distance now.Here you can decide if you will use Swirral Edge on the right - may include also Catstyecam...or the famous Striding Edge - keeping leftStriding Edge chosen - of course ! On the ridge...You can chose the bay pass along - bottom on the rightLooking back...Descended...Ascending Helvellyn and looking back towards the ridge again. St Sunday Crag in the distance over GrisedaleAnother viewsTowards St Sunday Crag and FairfieldOn the top of HelvellynHelvellyn summit aheadCloser.......The summit of HelvellynTowards CatstyecamSummit selfie ...and selftimer by my camera InterestingLooking back to the ridge......zoomed a little bit...walkers on the ridge ?Yes ! Three walkers enjoying the views Nethermost Pike...and the sheepSt Sunday CragTowards Dollywaggon PikeTowards WestGrisedale and St Sunday CragGrisedale again...Looking back to HelellynDollywaggon Pike summitFairfielda local resident Grisedale TarnFairfieldDollywaggon PikeSeat Sandal from FairfieldDollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn from FairfieldFairfield summitThe way ahead - St Sunday Crag over Cofa PikeHelvellyn and Striding Edge in the backgroundThe tricky descent...some care needed St Sunday Crag from Cofa PikeLooking back to Cofa PikeCofa Pike and FairfieldSt Sunday Crag closer...Looking back againDollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn from St Sunday CragThe summit of St Sunday CragThe descent towards BirksBirks summitThe final descent down to Patterdale, great view point towards Ullswater and Place FellLooking back...Joined the tarmac road Last view from Patterdale...Video from Striding Edge & Helvellyn:It was a great day in the East part of Lake District, I enjoyed all the walk with the great views around...Such a Autumnal refreshment - something different from the Munros...for a change