For those who prefer just the pictures here is a link to them and a slideshow with some music
https://www.flickr.com/photos/38217037@N06/sets/72157650273215557/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JWlNGwsUcAStarted up the path from Glenridding that would take me past the youth hostel and up to Red Tarn and on to Swirral.
This is definitely a more gradual ascent than coming up Birkhouse Moor but does get steeper as you approach the foot of Catstye Cam. There was definitely a thaw going on along the route up and i started thinking if i was going to need my crampons but when i got on to the path going up Swirral i decided they were needed.
I couldn’t see Red Tarn for the clag or pretty much more than 100 yards but hoped it would clear at some point. I carried on up the path and got my first view proper of Swirral ridge.
What stood out here for me was that back in August when i descended Swirral up to Catstye Cam i noticed the path i was now stood on and it took you off the ridge early, far too early and the only way to enjoy the full ridge is to traverse it all the way up to Catstye Cam. I made a mental note that at some point i need to traverse from Catstye Cam up Swirral or do the entire round again from Striding.
I continued up the path for 100 yards or so which was good and icy but i wasn’t happy on the path and felt i was missing out on the ridge.
There wasn’t much ice and snow on the top of the ridge in places and i had told myself to stay safe and use the path, there was no wind and i was feeling confident and i couldn’t stay off it for long so up i went on to the top.
I tried to stay on top as much as i could for the rest of the short traverse but had to come back down to ice and snow where there was none as i didn’t want to damage the crampons.
I met a few people descending and everyone stopped for a chat and offered advice when i told them i was on my first winter ascent of the ridges. They all wished me well and i felt more confident the further i went. Took a shot of the fall off on one side which doesn’t take a lot to imagine the damage you could sustain if you slipped down and hit the rocks.
Best not be slipping today i told myself and i was glad i had worn my new helmet just in case even though i feel a tit wearing it but hopefully will be something I get used to. I was now getting to the final climb up and on some of the steps that had been cut in to the ice i could feel it starting to give way under foot. I took a bit more care ensuring i had good footing and a good grip of the axe.
On the last pull up i thought the sun was going to break through the clag and i was going to be rewarded with a fantastic summit view.
I pushed up the last bit a tad quicker hoping not to miss it
Got to the top and had a chat with a group just about to descend then took some pictures as i walked up to the trig point.
Yes its going to clear just for me, my reward for all the hard graft.
Camera in hand ready for it i stood at the trig point, took some selfies while i waited, kept looking around so as not to miss it. Waited about 10 minutes and then asked a nice chap to take my picture for me.
I then got my reward, more clag
I decided to have some lunch and found the cairn where i chatted with a lad from Scotland before heading down to the descent down Striding. On the way it looked like someone had come up the front of Helvellyn and over the cornice, i took a step closer and felt my foot go down about 6 inches even though i was about 2 meters away from the edge following footprints i stayed a bit further over after that.
Finally got to the Gough memorial and i knew the exit down was close but it was hard to actually see it, there was disturbed snow everywhere so i trod carefully until i got near to the edge and i could see down. It didn’t look that bloody steep when i ascended it last.
I took it steady down, ready at all times for a slip or fall and finally made it to the bottom
As i approached the chimney a group were heading towards me and i just shot up it and climbed out the top and greated the group and chatted for a bit getting my breath back. I moved off and realized i hadn’t taken any pictures and just shot up so i took one looking back at the top.
In places there was far less snow and ice on Striding than on Swirral but I was now past caring about crampon damage and was traversing on the top of the ridge having a right good old scramble along it, seeking out ice where i could to stand on but hitting rock where there was none.
I was surprised at the grip the crampons gave on rock and felt more safe than i did in August so i just carried on enjoying every minute of being there and thought ill buy a new pair if i break them.
It was hard graft much harder than Swirral climbing up and down and i caught my gaiters a few times with the crampons and thought they will be knackered as well.
I was scrambling along nicely and a chap walked past on the path and said hello again, we had passed on Swirral earlier so we chatted before heading off. Everyone i met this day was chatty and so was i and it added to the enjoyment of the day that i hadn’t met any miserable people yet.
Reached High Spying How and i knew my fun was coming to an end
When i reached the Dixon memorial i gave serious thought to climbing up and jumping across but i decided this for sure would have done the crampons in when i landed so i climbed up the other side and headed off the ridge.
All good things must come to an end and i was there so i sat and had a pot of tea and chilled out a bit.
A few minutes later a group of young lads early twenties walked past with one of them wearing shorts. It was a bit warmer than of a late but i wouldn’t have been comfortable. I told him he was brave and he said he had warm legs.
I started my descent back to Glenridding via Birkhouse Moor and soon came across a walker who had just walked up to red Tarn. We ended up walking off together chatting all the way making a nice end to a nice day. At the hole in the wall i crossed paths with the lad from Scotland and we all had a good chat for 10 minutes before parting company. I cant recall any other day where so many people have stopped and chatted.
Parting shot of Ullswater
I got home and inspected the crampons expecting them to be knackered, apart from scratches on the teeth and the wearing on the ends they are ok and so are the gaiters. They have obviously took some hammer and i would have preferred more snow and ice but i couldn’t get up any earlier in the week when conditions were better. Looking at pictures on the weatherline site from the weekend i just made it though and hope we get a bit more snow and i can time it better with both work and the conditions before spring starts.
Total distance was 8.27 miles and 3449ft of ascent over 6 hours and 3 minutes
Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy the pictures and the write up