Sue gets an early start to the day. We had a big day ahead, so a hearty breakfast was called for (and eaten).
The weather WAS a little cooler, so we were really excited about doing Striding Edge.
On the way, we drove along Ullswater. It looked very peaceful and serene.
Also, the fells looked good in their blue mantle.
Today it was time to 'tick off' Striding edge (at least, for me. Sue had done it three times before). We did attempt it last time we came, but here's what it was like - you can probably agree with me when I tell you I decided to go back and save the edge for another day!
So, smiles out, and let the climbing begin!
As on any good day, we had PLENTY of company.
It was warm, with a lovely cooling breeze accompanying us. Not the clearest of days for long pictures, but absolutely PERFECT for hard walking.
Approaching 'hole in the wall'. You can see Helvellyn, our goal, and on the right, that sharp peak is Catstycam.
Here we go then, the going now gets a bit tougher.
I thought it was GROUSE that said that?????
Now we were getting higher, and could see Red tarn in the glacial bowl below us.
OK, OK - here we go then, the 'me posing on a rock' picture :-)
Looking across Patterdale to St Sunday crag. Been there, done that.
Yes, Sue - that IS the way.........
Righto! - lets get it done...........
Come on, I'll hold your hand, if you like.
Watch me - CLIMBING!!!!!!!
Done that - NEXT!
Steady, lass.
After a GREAT crossing of Striding Edge, looking back is awesome.
You can see the 'get out of jail' path that slinks below the top edge - but none of that for US. Most of the enjoyment is the adrenalin rush you get from doing it the hard way.
The view across the wide, blue yonder from Helvellyn.
This sort of view stops me dead. I LOVE it, and so does Sue.
The summit of Helvellyn. It was about 1:30, warm, with that lovely breeze. We sat and surveyed the wonderful scene while we ate our lunch.
Looking back, from Nethermost Pike. The edge looks REALLY sharp from here.
Then it was on to Dollywagon pike (a name I've always thought lovely). This is the view back from there.
Again, fabulous 'blue views' from here.
After that summit, the path starts to drop to Grisedale tarn. Last time Sue & I were here (on separate occasions) we were both doing the coast to coast walk, Sue 5 years ago, me in 1993.
After all that climbing, it was good to refresh in the cool mountain water.
Just LOOK at this wall! I remember being astonished at it when I first saw it back in 1993. Someone has gone to all the trouble of building it, stone by stone, over that inhospitable terrain. God only know how long it took them! It's not alone, there are MANY like it all over the Lakes.
A study of the tumbling beck in Grisedale.
We passed Lantys Tarn, still as a mirror in the evening calm, before dropping back into Glenridding for a pint and a really lovely lamb shank (me) & chilli (Sue). We sat outside on the patio with lots of other walkers, all recanting what a super day they'd had. We let the sun go down on the view over the valley as we sipped our beer and sighed. Well deserved, we thought.
Click on 'older post' to see the previous days pictures.
