Monday 27 August 2012

Striding Edge with KR Guided Walks

Though I've taken private clients along Striding Edge quite frequently this was a first for me with KR Guided Walks. The main difference is that with private clients there is some scope for choosing the day whereas with the KR programme you just hope for good conditions on the day fixed in the programme.

well made path up by Myers Beck

view back to Ullswater
Anyway, the forecast for last Monday was pretty reasonable and six of us plus Skye took the bus over to Glenridding. Fairly low cloud and a bit of a shower as we climbed by Myers Beck and no sign of the summit of Helvellyn as we reached Birkhouse Moor and approached the Hole in the Wall.




But as we left the footpath to follow the grassy first part of the ridge we could see views down into Grisedale and the cloud was swirling around Striding Edge giving tantalising glimpses of the rocky ridge to come.

still misty as we started along the ridge
Once we reached the ridge proper the cloud was lifting, the rock was drying and we were able to enjoy the scrambling. Some of the group were faster and more confident than others so I coaxed the tail enders while others went at their own speed waiting for the rest of us at convenient places. Congratulations are due to all - no one 'cheated' and walked along the path on the side of the ridge!!






it's like a pavement!

Skye is waiting









Bit chilly and breezy on the summit, a photo by the cairn and then a well earned lunch in the shelter- this is Skye's favourite time of the day especially on Helvellyn where he can disappear to other sides of the shelter and scrounge tit bits without me seeing and telling him off!

There we were views in all directions too though brightest and clearest down to Ullswater in the north east. After feasting our stomachs and our eyes we followed the clear path down to the west reaching the valley at Wythburn Church and catching the bus back to Keswick.