Helvellyn, Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor

The good weather could not last much longer so a good time to do a classic walk, Helvellyn via striding edge. Starting from Glenridding I thought there could be no problem with the route but was mistaken as we climbed out of the village and found ourselves on the path leading up to Lanty Tarn. An unexpected and unintentional detour it was too late to retrace our steps and we were pleasantly surprised by the peaceful tarn amongst the trees. The plan now was to join the path up from Patterdale which we were able to find with only slight descent by taking a path to the right of the main route and heading for the trees on the Grisedale side of the slope (taking care not not return to Glenridding!). One problem with this detour was that my original plan of taking in Birkhouse Moor on the way up had now to be revised. Once on the main path we knew it would be a long steady haul up to the Hole in the Wall, the summits of Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon Pike on the main ridge appeared a long way off. However we eventually reached the junction of our path and the path coming off Birkhouse Moor and were now back on the original planned route.
Striding edge needs no introduction to anyone who has walked in the Lake District. Today was a perfect day for a safe traverse of the ridge. No wind, dry and high clouds. We reached the first airy slab of rock to traverse which was negotiated without difficulty. Elspeth then decided to take the walkers path on the north flank of the ridge whilst I, now in my element, continued carefully along the knife edge. We met again at the col just before the last pinnacle. From past experience we knew there was a difficult scramble to descend coming off this stretch, so today, we took the path descending now on the southern flank, rounding the difficulty and then back up to the ridge. Now there was just the mater of the steep climb up to the summit plateau.
Views on top were fair. Although the cloud base was high the fells to the west looked dark with no distinctive features. To the east the eye was drawn to our proposed descent via Swirral edge and then, shall we shan’t we, Castye Cam. Descending Swirral edge was a slow process, of necessity, but we soon reached the point where we had to decided – down to Red Tarn or up to top number 58. We were tired but it looked (and was) an easy ascent well worth it for the pointed summit which could be seen from miles around. We retraced our steps to get to the path down to Red Tarn rather than descending the south east ridge. The next choice was to descend by Red Tarn beck or via Birkhouse Moore. Then latter won the day being, as I explained, the more direct route. Only a slight ascent was needed as we followed the good path over the Moor with a slight detour to the summit Cairn. Although there was plenty of daylight left, the atmosphere was now that of an autumnal evening as we descended to Mires Beck followed by the stony staircase back to Glenridding.
A tiring but very satisfying day.

Time 7 hrs
Memories

• Unintentional detour at the start
• Perfect conditions for Striding Edge
• Summit of Catsycam

Grade Excellent

Completed 59 To Go 155