If at first you don't succeed...
Last Monday I was nearly blown off my feet north of Helvellyn. This Monday (30 March) the weather forecast was much better so I decided to try and finish the round. Starting once again from Glenridding (where incidentally the car park charge for all day is £6.00) I set off up the Greenside Road with my companion for the day, fellow Rotarian Philip Bailey, a man with mountain rescue experience - which might come in handy.
After a long trek up to Sticks Pass in fine weather (where we saw the first Wheatear of the year – spring must be here), we turned left for the top of Raise (2889') and ran straight into mist. And wind. And cold. But we were soon at the top and on our way to White Side (2832), which was followed by the long ascent up to Helvellyn Lower Man and Helvellyn itself. At 3118', Helvellyn is the highest top so far and the first of four Lake District mountains over 3000'. There's always someone else at the top of this mountain and on this bitterly cold and windy day there was a family of four in trainers. Mmm.
Briefly retracing our steps we started the descent of Swirral Edge, made a bit more tricky by the presence of some old snow, but thankfully no ice. This is a really steep section and it was a bit hairy in places, but before long we reached the col for the windy ascent of Catsty Cam (2917'), followed by a pleasant descent (out of cloud now) to Birkhouse Moor (2350') with lovely views across Red Tarn to Striding Edge on the way.
Before long (but not soon enough to benefit from reduced car parking rates) we were back at the car in Glenridding, after a high-level day with another 5 tops in the bag, making 74 in all so far - one-third now completed – 140 to go.
Last Monday I was nearly blown off my feet north of Helvellyn. This Monday (30 March) the weather forecast was much better so I decided to try and finish the round. Starting once again from Glenridding (where incidentally the car park charge for all day is £6.00) I set off up the Greenside Road with my companion for the day, fellow Rotarian Philip Bailey, a man with mountain rescue experience - which might come in handy.
After a long trek up to Sticks Pass in fine weather (where we saw the first Wheatear of the year – spring must be here), we turned left for the top of Raise (2889') and ran straight into mist. And wind. And cold. But we were soon at the top and on our way to White Side (2832), which was followed by the long ascent up to Helvellyn Lower Man and Helvellyn itself. At 3118', Helvellyn is the highest top so far and the first of four Lake District mountains over 3000'. There's always someone else at the top of this mountain and on this bitterly cold and windy day there was a family of four in trainers. Mmm.
Before long (but not soon enough to benefit from reduced car parking rates) we were back at the car in Glenridding, after a high-level day with another 5 tops in the bag, making 74 in all so far - one-third now completed – 140 to go.
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