Monday 29th Dec, Helvellyn by Striding Edge

Today I was out with Lucy on a guided walk, our route started in Patterdale and we took the path from Grisedale Beck up to the Hole in the Wall on Birkhouse Moor. Our early start managed to get us onto Striding Edge ahead of the large groups that were on the hills today. The ridge was in good condition despite the recent frosts and most of the rocks were free of ice, although we did travel carefully.

On the final steep ascent to the plateau we stopped to watch the groups we had seen earlier begin to make their way across the ridge like little ants.

We completed the climb and headed over to the summit for a short break, the summit was very busy with approx 50 people and a few bicycles all lying about basking in the sun.

Our next stop was Nethermost Pike and then onto Dollywagon Pike. The conditions on the felltops today were excellent with good visibility.

We descended down the zigzag path to Grisdale Tarn before following the path down the side Grisedale Beck past the Outward Bound Hut to the valley and Patterdale.