Crossing Lakeland's classic ridge in the snow complete with loads of wintry pictures
The first proper snow of the year and it would have been kind
of
rude not to go out and play, so we did, on Helvellyn, in the Lakes -
see map.
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Looking back
towards Glenridding
and Ullswater on the climb towards the start of Striding
Edge
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There's something about the crisp bite of sub-zero air and the
metallic clanking of axe and crampons that makes the start of the day
dramatic. Looking up from Glenridding, you could see that the snow
was there, layering the tops, even if it wasn't in full-thickness
wedding cake proportions.
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Taking a
breather as things start
to flatten out. Snow wreathes rocks.
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Snow adds drama to
everything, even the normally fairly drab haul up
from Gillside towards Striding Edge inspired a load of photo stops.
Gorgeous views back towards Ullswater, then - as the ground levels -
ahead of Striding Edge humping its way across the skyline and
Helvellyn itself.
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Edge ahead -
the ridge proper is
the dip before rising the the hump that is Helvellyn's
summit
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And in the
foreground, the
majestic (ahem) Catsycam
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Normally Striding Edge itself, though sometimes quoted as a grade one
scramble, is a pretty straightforward rough walk along a shapely
ridge that's never quite in the Crib Goch / Aonach Eagach knife-edge
mould. The snow adds a little interest though particularly when it's
been compacted into slippery wads by the passage of several hundred
boots already.
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Rocks and
snow, the Edge snakes
ahead
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It's one of those 'crampons
yes or no?' situations. Off the ridge the
unconsolidated snow was fine in boots, on it the trampling and
treading made things a tad slippery for Vibrams. Eventually, 70
percent of it done, we opted to stop and don spikey things.
Fantastic - the first cramponing of winter, feet feeling glued to
what was slightly marginal in boots and just needing a little care on
the rocky sections.
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'This'll
scare my
mum...'
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More ridge...
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We jetted up the final
rocky step and over the edge onto a busy
summit basking in winter sun and bonhommie. It's a top place for a
picnic
with superb views in all directions for a change with snowy summits
all around and a dramatic outlook over Red Tarn.
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And the view
from the end looking
back towards Patterdale
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And over the
final rocky step as
the Edge merges into the rocky
summit slopes of Helvellyn
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And even more
ridge...
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The classic return to
Glenridding is down Swirral Edge and into the
tea shop with plenty of cake time in hand. If you fancy a longer day
though, you can either scoot off south over Dollywagon Pike and down
via Grisedale or Fairfield and St Sunday Crag, or do as we did and
head north past the top of Swirral.
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Looking down
into Red Tarn,
enclosed by the twin arms of Striding and Swirral
Edges
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Summit views
of seas of
snow-crusted Lakeland peaks
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Skirting the top of Brown
Cove and Keppel Cove and onto White Side
may not be as interesting as the Swirral - Catstye Cam option, but on
a clear winter's day you're rewarded with superb views back towards
the main Helvellyn massif and, in particular, Catstye Cam's
triangular contours, looking for all the world like a Himalayan peak
in the snow.
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One last look
back before heading
off
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Catstycam
with added snowy
grandeur. Looking good.
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From then on it was a mellow, rolling, rising and falling saunter
across White Side and Raise - spot the ski tow - before turning east
at Sticks Pass and dropping back down to the mineworkings above
Glenridding and a lethally slippery stomp back down into town.
How difficult is Striding Edge?
Not massively although a covering of snow makes it more
thought provoking than in summer. The most interesting route is along
the
crest, but there's a path running along the southern flank of the
ridge that avoids the difficulties till the final narrower section
with a short down climb followed by a small, broken buttress leading
into the summit slopes. It's a good introduction to using crampons
and axe on slightly more technical winter ground, but not in the same
league as Crib Goch or even Sharp Edge. It looks and feels great
though, so never mind the difficulty, feel the scenery.
