Wednesday 19th September 2007

Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)

Patterdale - Hole-in-the Wall - Striding Edge - Helvellyn - Swirral Edge - Catstycam - Birkhouse Moor - Patterdale

Distance: 7.8 miles     Total Ascent: 925 metres     Time Taken: 7 hours

Weather: Wet, clearing. 14oC.

Route Map

Things didn't look good first thing this morning, the rain was belting down throughout The Lakes and the wind was rattling the windows at home. Normally this would not be a problem, but today was the day of the inaugural StridingEdge.net walk. Would it be ruined? Should we do a low level walk? No! was the answer from the troops meeting at Patterdale. So, onward and upward...

The Grisedale Valley at the start of the climb to the Hole-in-the-Wall. This didn't look good, it was absolutely teeming down with rain.

A glimmer of sunshine? Grisedale and Saint Sunday Crag.

It is bright over on Birks but it's still raining though.

Suddenly the weather looks a bit more promising, here looking to the head of Grisedale.

Looking back to Place Fell from the path to the Hole-in-the-Wall.

Wet and bedraggled, we made it to the Hole-in-the-Wall.

Looking across to Catstycam.

Birkhouse Moor from the climb to Striding Edge.

All is clear over to Ullswater now, looking from Low Spying How.

Striding Edge.

Swirral Edge and Catstycam across Red Tarn. The white dot in the centre of the tarn is a small dinghy.

Descending The Chimney - dogs and all.

Climbing to Helvellyn, the summit shrouded in mist.

Looking back along Striding Edge.

Red Tarn and Catstycam from Helvellyn.

Casper makes sure everyone makes it along Striding Edge safely.

Walking along the Helvellyn summit plateau.

The StridingEdge summiteers - Lesley, Martin, Claire, David, Mike, Andy, Jo, Ann and Roger. Not on the photo are Angela who went east at the Hole-in-the-Wall, Alan who went north and Chris who went south!

A clearing view to Swirral Edge and Catstycam.

Casper lies perilously close to the edge of Helvellyn. Don't roll over!

White Side and Raise across Brown Cove.

Descending Swirral edge.

All is clear over to Skiddaw now.

Ullswater from Catstycam.

Casper and Angus on Catstycam wondering who all those other people and dogs are.

The route walked from Birkhouse Moor - Striding Edge, left, Helvellyn and Catstycam.

Ullswater from Birkhouse Moor.

It's sunny over Glenridding now on the descent from Birkhouse Moor. It is almost unbelievable to think it would end up like this after the start this morning, I didn't think we would see anything today. A great walk in brilliant company - thanks to everyone who joined us today, I really enjoyed it.

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