Catstye Cam, Helvellyn via Swirral Edge
Date: 28-Mar-2012
Map: Landranger 90
Weather: Sunshine all the way.
From Glenridding Bridge wander up to Lanty's Tarn, follow the ridge up to Birkhouse Moor. Walk up to the Hole-in-the-Wall, down to Red Tarn and up the steep end of Catstye Cam. Along to Swirral Edge and up to Helvellyn. Across to Nethermost Pike, High Crag and Dollywagon Pike. Walk down the Tongue to the climbing hut and return to Glenridding via Grisedale : 11.5 miles as measured on Satmap GPS
It was a real pleasure to be in the Lakes without a
Wainwright to tick off, even though I did say 'One' when I
got up to Birkhouse Moor. I did suggest to Paul that we go
up Catstye Cam via the north slope and look at the old dams,
but he was on a ticking frenzy, and also navigating, so he
was a bit nervous. There is a picture of him at Lanty's Tarn,
a roundabout route to get up to the moor - but it was a
steadier ascent, which worked for me. It was a cracking day
out almost summer temperatures and unsurprisingly the top of
Helvellyn was very busy. Our route took us past Lanty's Tarn
and up to Birkhouse Moor, on up to the Hole-in-the-Wall and
then across to Catstye Cam. We chose the steeper route up
the SW, rather than the slanty path up to Swirral Edge. It's
a few hundred feet shorter than the north path and a little
less steep. It didn't take too long and for me it was great
to have good views as last time up here we couldn't see anything.
Then it was over to Swirral Edge and a little scramble up
the crest of the ridge to the top and Helvellyn. We did our
good Samaritan bit and guided a lone lady up the safest way,
and karma rewarded us later with a fine walk off Dollywagon
Pike down 'The Tongue'. Up on the summit the cross shelter
was busy with a school party, but we timed it well and got a
good seat for lunch. We discussed the way forward after
looking over to the ridges down off Nethermost Pike and
Dollywagon Pike. Paul had already done the one off
Nethermost so we decided the one off Dollywagon looked
interesting and it was. We made our way around the slopes to
High Crag and then onto Dollywagon, basking in warm sunshine
- no need to rush today
Then it was off the end and down grassy, stony slopes all
the way to Rusthwaite Lodge. This is a fine way down for
about 3/4 of the way as it's mostly easy walking until we hit the crags
below. The views down Grisedale are stupendous, with St
Sunday Crag prominent across the valley. Then it was a matter
of threading our way down grassy gullies between crags - OK
today in fine weather but I wouldn't recommend it in poor
visibility, but you can bail out to the left a little higher
up to avoid the worst of the crags.
Down at the lodge it was a simple walk down Grisedale, back
up to Lanty's Tarn and down to Glenridding. All done and a
quick nip up to the pub for a very refreshing pint of Cider.
A brilliant relaxing day, with a few Wainwrights...no I'm
not counting them again.
on our way from Glenridding - I wasn't navigating
we avoided the usual paths by default - Place Fell in the distance
Looking down on Glenridding and Ullswater is flat calm today
Birkhouse Moor is up ahead, but we veered off to the left to viosit Lanty's Tarn
temporarily misplaced
we pretty much followed the wall all the way up to Birkhouse Moor
this is where we rejoined the main path up to Birkhouse Moor
big blue skies on our way up
our route up from Lanty's Tarn
a little hazy over to the Pennines but we can still see Ingleborough beyond Ullswater
this is the weather I like up on Birkhouse Moor summit
looking down over Ullswater and Place Fell to the right
the ascent towards the Hole-in-the-Wall
our route up Catstye Cam is to the left side of the hill - the dam in Keppel Cove is visible to the right
a grand panorama with Striding Edge up to the left and Swirral Edge up to the right
this gives a good idea of the slope ahead
looking down on Keppel Cove and the burst dam
there is a 'leet' built into the hillside that took water around from Red Tarn
the ground eases before reaching the summit
Catstye Cam summit ahead
this is another route up on the northern edge of Catstye Cam - the dam below is on Brown Cove
fantastic views down over Glenridding Common and Sheffield Pike
next stop is Swirral Edge and a little scramble. Striding Edge over on the left high above Red Tarn
Swirral Edge ahead
looking down on Red Tarn
a bit of a scramble ahead
looking down on Brown Cove below Raise
it's comfortable in dry weather
but there is a big drop off the side so you have to take care - looking back to Catstye Cam
Paul helping out while I snap away
up on the summit which appears to be always busy even on the worst of days
then a bit of quiet on the way across to Nethermost Pike
the Wythburn Fells with the Scafells in the distance
next along is Nethermost Pike
Ruthwaite Cove and you can just see Hard Tarn below Nethermost Pike to the left
looking back to Nethermost Pike
on High Crag and the view over to Dollywagon Pike
cracking views over to the Derwent Fells
the start of The Tongue down to Grisedale. St Sunday Crag over on the right
a grassy descent initially, although quite steep
Striding Edge beyond Nethermost Pike, with pointy Catstye Cam at the back
Ruthwaite Climbing Hut is still far below - see the grey dot
our route down is easy enough to follow on a clear day
looking back up to the top, but we are still high above the climbing hut
good views over to Fairfield across the valley
and great views down Grisedale
a few crags to negotiate and a good view over to Striding Edge
still a bit to go yet down to the hut
more crags to negotiate
this is the point where I would bail out left in bad weather
across below Ruthwaite Cove
the roughest bity of the descent
nearly down to the hut
Ruthwaite Lodge below Spout Crag towards the head of Grisedale valley
and then a pleasant stroll along the valley back to Glenridding
our route down was the second rock from the end - the middle ridge of three on the right
almost back to Glenridding, but we visit Lanty's Tarn once more, to chop the corner off
a little rise to the tarn
very peaceful here until the school kids arrived
and they headed for the nearest wet patch
Ullswater again and a short walk down to the car park and an ice-cream
another grand day out in Gods country