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Catstye Cam by NW Ridge, Helvellyn via Swirral Edge, Lower Man, Whiteside & Zig-zags from Glenridding

Catstye Cam by NW Ridge, Helvellyn via Swirral Edge, Lower Man, Whiteside & Zig-zags from Glenridding

Start/Finish

Glenridding Village at the south end of Ullswater. There is an expensive public car park, with the same charges all year round, but out of season parking is allowed on some nearby roads. Please do not park where residents could be inconvenienced.

Distance/Time

12 km      About 6 – 7 hours

Peaks

Catstye Cam, 890 m, NY 348 158.

Helvellyn, 950 m, NY 342 151.

Lower Man, 925 m, NY 337 155.

Whiteside, 863 m, NY 338 167.     OS 1: 50 000, Sheet 90.

OS 1: 25 000 Outdoor Leisure 5, English Lake District NE Area.

Introduction

This is a shortish walk, ideal for a mid-winter's day. However, the ascent of Swirral Edge is a major undertaking in winter conditions and are only for the experienced winter walker under such conditions. Having said that, if there is no snow or ice and it is a dry and clear day, this route should be well within the capability of an experienced summer walker who could have the mountains to himself whereas in summer, the route can be exceptionally busy. Despite its reputation, Swirral Edge is relatively straight forward if the rock is dry. There are several paths below the crest for those who find the crest itself somewhat unnerving. Swirral Edge has a steeper crest but is no more difficult than Striding Edge if you are familiar with that route. The NW ridge of Catstye Cam is steep and may be a problem to some in winter conditions. On a clear day, views are extensive to most of the high Lakeland peaks including the Scafell range, Langdale ranges, Skiddaw and Blencathra and the High Street range. Closer hills such as Fairfield, St. Sunday Crag, Sheffield Pike and Place Fell dominate the near landscape. It would be very easy to miss out Catstye Cam but many regard it as the finest peak in the Helvellyn range.

Route

(1) From Glenridding village, walk up the road to the N of the car park and to the N of Glenridding Beck. Continue past the Traveller's Rest public house. When the tarmac road swings right, follow it. It then swings left, passing some houses before becoming a track which continues to the old Greenside mining area where there is a hostel, a school's outdoor centre and a car park for skiers. Go right past here to pick up the higher track which then continues up the valley. Go past a track on the right which is the start of the zig-zags and continue to the old dam. The dam is in a poor state and is unsafe to cross so find a safe crossing point over the stream. Pick a way carefully up the steep slopes. Once some height is gained, the path on the steep crest is very obvious and can be followed up to a medium cairn which marks the summit of Catstye Cam, 890 m.

(2) Walk SW from the summit on a more obvious path and follow it down to a col. Continue along the crest to reach the start of Swirral Edge where the crest steepens and becomes much more rocky. Pick a way up the rocky crest – there is an easier path for some of the way – until a final steep section leads to a large cairn on the edge of the Helvellyn plateau. Turn left, S, and follow the edge to the trig point. A little further is a large cairn which marks the summit of Helvellyn, 950 m. A little further still is a good shelter cairn in the shape of a cross.

(3) Retrace back to the cairn at the top of Swirral Edge but continue WNW, keeping the edge on your right, and descend down to a shallow col, on a good path, then ascend easily to a small plateau where a medium cairn marks the summit of Lower Man, 925 m.

(4) Continue N, descending easy ground on a very distinctive path to a col then continue up the other side to reach a three wall shelter cairn which marks the summit of Whiteside, 863 m.

(5) The path splits here so make sure you take the right hand one which descends roughly NE and is still very distinctive. This leads down to a col where the more obvious path forks right before descending to Glenridding Common. Take this path, known as the zig-zags, and follow it down to the valley where it joins the outward track which is followed back to Glenridding.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 20th May, 2014.

(b) It is possible to cycle up to the skiers' car park from Glenridding but it is probably too strenuous for the average cyclist.

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