Helvellyn - English Lake District

This shot was taken on the 16 February 2003, from the point the path from Patterdale crests the ridge leading up to Striding Edge. While Fairfield and St Sunday Crag and Cofa Pike remained shrouded in the most ferocious looking cloud and mist all day, Helvellyn remained clear, bright and really cold with a bighting 20 knot wind. Striding Edge, one of the classic ridge routes in the Lakes, others being Halls Fell and Sharp Edge on Blencathra, is fantastic in this kind of weather. Requiring just enough concentration to stay on top, particularly if its windy as it was yesterday, yet safe enough to let your eyes wander at the surrounding scenery.

The boring route off the top goes back over Lower Man and down into Glenridding. I say boring only because I've done it every time I've been up the fell. Yesterday I took the longer way off down to Grisdale Tarn, via Nethermost Pike, and Dollywaggon, then back down Grisdale to Patterdale and the pub. My origonal intention was to go from Grisdale Tarn up Fairfield and St. Sunday Crag and then drop down into Patterdale off the end of the main ridge. But energy, the foul weather on top of Fairfield and Cofa Pike, and my blisters put paid to plan A; plan B took the marginally shorter route down the delightful Grisdale Valley, in bright sunshine.

Talking of which the sunshine over the top of the clouds covering Fairfield was quite amazing. I think there was an inversion layer holding the cloud and damp air in the valley below. What ever it was the effect was dramatic.

The starbust efffect caught on camera in this picture was entirely deliberate. While it's dramatic it doesn't quite capture the energy that was apparent in the cloud literally streaming across the top of Fairfield.

Photographic Details

I used the Sony camcorder again for these shots. I'm getting more used to shooting some video and some stills on my trips out. I still get a bit self conscious when doing the video diary bit .

The appropriate guide for the fell is Wainright's Book 1 The Eastern Fells

Wainwright's Lakeland

Maps for the are are the OS Outdoor Leisure map 'The English Lakes, North Eastern area. 1:25000 4cm to 1km or rather 2.2" to 1 Mile. This is sheet 5 in the series.

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