Catstye Cam from Glenridding

31st January 2019

With snow settling on the Lakeland fells I headed for the high ground but not the 'go to' mountain of Helvellyn but its neighbour, Catstye Cam. I've always acted on the saying that if you wish to climb the likes of Scafell Pike, Blencathra or Skiddaw for the experience then go ahead and do so but if you wish to view the same peaks in all their glory then climb their nearest neighbour, it's no less of a fell walking journey than to view your favourite summit than to climb it.

Todays route onto the Red Tarn Plateau is via Birkhouse Moor and Mires Beck (Little Cove) from where the summit of Birkhouse Moor is gained. It's from the summit of Birkhouse Moor do you get that classical view of Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirrel Edge and Catstye Cam, no matter the season this view is awe inspiring and never fails to disappoint.

From Birkhouse Moor I continue towards Hole-in-the-Wall before picking up the path for Red Tarn and Swirrel Edge thereafter, it's at the col linking Swirrel Edge and Catstye Cam do I switch back for Catstye Cam summit, it's a steady ascent in any condition but with deep snow underfoot, todays was tiring but enthralling non the less, this is a classic Winter route which avoids the Winter edges of Striding and Swirrel but places you dead centre in the thick of the action.

 
Wainwright Guide Book One
The Eastern Fells

 

Catstye Cam is a true peak, and its small shapely summit is the finest in the eastern fells, if it were rock and not mainly grass it would be the finest in the district.

 

Overview
Ascent: 2,496 Feet - 761 -Metres
Wainwrights: 2, Birkhouse Moor - Catstye Cam
Weather: A Dull Start With Sunshine Breaking Through Towards Midday. Highs of 4°C Lows of -1°C Feels Like -1.1°C
Parking: Car Park, Glenridding
Area: Eastern
Miles: 6.5
Walking With: On My Own
Ordnance Survey: OL5
Time Taken: 4 Hours 15 Minutes
Route: Glenridding - Rattlebeck Bridge - Mires Beck - Birkhouse Moor - Red Tarn - Catstye Cam - Red Tarn Beck - Greenside Road - Glenriddinging
 

Parking Details and Map
Nearest Post Code: CA11 0PD
Grid Reference: NY 385 716
Notes: A large Pay and Display can be found in the centre of Glenridding alongside Glenridding Beck. The car park hosts an Information Centre and Toilets with local shops, bars, hotels and not to forget some of Lakelands most popular fells close by. The car park is Pay and Display and charges apply.


 

Map and Photo Gallery

 
 

Ullswater, Gowbarrow Fell and Low Birk Fell from Stybarrow Crag.
Snow had fallen at all levels during the week and although most was confined to the higher slopes I didn't want to take any chances by driving over the Kirkstone Pass so instead I approached Glenridding from the north which worked out well because I wouldn't have been able to take this picture of a glowing sunrise behind Gowbarrow fell taken from the parking spaces at Stybarrow Crag.

Moon over The Nab on Birkhouse Moor North East ridge -1°C 08:55am

I can't ever remember seeing Glenridding as busy as I'd left it this morning, the car park was a hustle with walkers and climbers leaving for the hills hence my lack of photos between the village and Mires Beck. I kitted up between a dozen cars most of whose occupants were also booting up leaving the car park awash with chatter. I had it in my head that these guys were all heading for Helvellyn so instead of taking my time I hurried through my kit up which today includes my crampons and Ice axe before locking my car and marching through Glenridding like a man possessed just so we weren't all grouped together.

I had taken over two walkers back at Rattle Beck Cottage where I was asked which was the best route "Striding Edge first or Swirral?" the first thought that sprang to mind was mate "if you have to ask you shouldn't be doing it" but I buried it and replied "definitely Striding first, especially if it's your first time" Are you carrying crampons and an ice axe I asked? The chap swung his pack where fastened to the side was a pair of crampons but I couldn't see an Ice axe. I left them at Rattle Beck Bridge and continued with pace until my lungs gave out and I was forced to slow down but my plan had worked and despite being out of breath, I had Little Cove to myself.


Heron Pike on Sheffield Pike and Glenridding Dodd from Little Cove.
Despite a total lack of wind the temperature was hovering around zero but it actually feels quite mild even though the experts had forecasted sunny spells throughout the day but all I can see is thin grey cloud.

Golden skies.
It may be cloudy but the low cloud is trapping sunlight leaving a golden afterglow between the fell tops and the upper layer of cloud. Here I stop to look south beyond Birks towards St Sunday Crag and Caudale Moor.

Striding Edge, Helvellyn and Swirral Edge.
I entered the snow line higher than expected at approximately 1,800ft just prior to reaching the stone wall on Birkhouse Moor. Sections of the path below were starting to freeze and care had to be taken because much of the ice was glazed over rock. I climbed alongside the stone wall before breaking away northwards where the depth of the snow varied between 3 inches and drifted up to 2ft in depth. The last part of this northward facing path is always thrilling because the incline lessens and this magical view of Helvellyn is just minutes away.

Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam
For now Helvellyn is layered in cloud but there's promise in the skies north of the summit. That's Catstye Cam north east ridge in the foreground which is my plan of descent after summating Catstye Cam, I can actually see two people stood on the summit right now.

Striding Edge, Helvellyn and Swirral Edge.
It's such a shame that huge mass of dark cloud is lingering but that said, it also leaves the scenery looking dramatic and certainly very Wintery.

Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam.
 

Striding Edge and Helvellyn.

Despite the early hour Striding Edge is starting to look busy with around half a dozen already on the traverse with heaps more approaching mostly after ascending from the Grisedale valley.

I'm heading for Red Tarn via the snow covered path seen centre left.


Helvellyn and Swirral Edge.
With the base of the north east ridge seen far right, the two walkers I had seen earlier are sitting at the top of the ridge just taking in the views.

Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge, Catstye Cam and White Side.
Taken from Birkhouse Moor summit.

Striding Edge and Helvellyn.
It looks like the cloud is starting to clear from Helvellyn summit for now, pity about the mass of grey sky but not to worry, I'm in my element right now.

Helvellyn and Swirral Edge from Red Tarn.

I made the short ascent up to Hole-in-the-Wall just to take in the view over Grisedale valley but found cloud lingering over St Sunday Crag which stretched out as far as Dollywagon Pike and thinned over Nevermost Pike and Helvellyn, I guess I could count my chickens Helvellyn wasn't in the cloud. Leaving Hole-in-the-Wall and its steady stream of walkers Striding Edge bound I descended back towards the Red Tarn path encountering deep drift before arriving at the footpath bound for Red Tarn.

The snow was now lying between a foot and a few inches in depth and it was hard work blazing through the snow but I was determined to pay Red Tarn a visit. On arrival I spotted a father and his young son who couldn't have been no more than seven years of age making a snow den and when passing I couldn't resist saying how much fun it looked "we're playing" the father laughed!


Helevllyn head wall from Red Tarn.
With the cloud cleared it's looking quite busy on the summit now with plenty more approaching from Striding Edge.

Climbers scaling the last 250ft of the head wall.
I count eight but there's plenty more still on Striding Edge.

Swirral Edge.
Wasn't as busy with two in ascent and two in descent.

Striding Edge.
 

Approaching Swirral Edge.
I have ascended this route many times in these conditions and as the path steepens it's usually time to add the crampons but today the snow hadn't compacted and left a reassuringly crunch to ascend by.

Heart warming light over the Chimney on Striding Edge.
 

Looking down on Red Tarn and across to Striding Edge.
No frozen Red Tarn yet given the mild temperatures.

Magical.
I'm finding it hard to tear myself away from this fantastic light but I push on towards the col linking Swirral Edge with Catstye Cam.

Catstye Cam from the Col.
Not many had ventured from the col onto the main path for Catstye Cam which meant blazing through snow up to two feet in depth, it wouldn't be the last time I was striding in, and out of deep snow.

Looking back over the Col towards Swirral Edge and Hevellyn.
It looks like more cloud is moving in on Helvellyn.

Striding Edge silhouettes.
I'd taken many highlights from todays walk already but the light over Striding Edge was top of the list.

Red Tarn, Striding Edge and Helvellyn.
With Red Tarn looking inky black in the low light.

The view back towards Swirral Edge, Helvellyn and Helvellyn Lower Man.
Encountering knee deep snow sure made for slow progress during my ascent but that didn't stop a trio of fell runners who were clasping Ice axes pass me like I was stood still, nevertheless we shared a cheery 'morning' as they went by.

The view back towards Swirral Edge, Helvellyn and Helvellyn Lower Man from Catsyte Cam summit.

The trio of fell runners were just about ready to leave as I crested the summit rocks and they descended while wishing me to 'enjoy the rest of my day' how could I not which brought a smile to my face.

I had the summit to myself and surveyed my surrounding summits which were mainly below the same grey sheet of cloud but my eyes craved for the view west.


Distant views of Cofa Pike, Fairfield, Dollywagon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn from Catstye Cam.
It appears the cloud has lifted over the Grisedale valley but more is on its way for Helvellyn.

Looking back on Swirral Edge and Helvellyn.
It felt colder than it actually was with a summit breeze bringing the temperature right down and with that I pulled up my Buff over my ears and secured it using my beanie, I was now snug as bug again.

Looking back on Catstye Cam summit, the North ridge and a cloud topped White Side.
A couple had arrived just as I was ready to leave and after a quick 'Hi' I left and started my descent down the north east ridge. The snow was by now as deep as I had encountered but I was lucky enough to be able to follow the same footprints that the two walkers had left earlier which were made to measure!

Looking over Keppel Cove towards Raise, Stybarrow Dodd and Great Dodd.
With White Stones and Hart Side seen far right.

Red Tarn, Striding Edge and Hlevellyn.
The descent down the north east ridge was a delight and despite not being sure I was following the footpath I couldn't have been too far away from it. Deep snow accompanied my descent from top to bottom which quickened and cushioned the whole descent and by the time I'd reached the bottom I'd worked up a sweat.

Stang from Red Tarn Beck.
Typically the sun came out as I continued my descent alongside Red Tarn beck and I could only imagine how the view was looking from Catstye Cam's summit but that said, I couldn't have been happier with the dreamy view I had over Striding Edge.

Catstye Cam from the Sheep Fold at Red Tarn beck.

It was a tad worrying how many were still heading up towards Red Tarn with only three hours of sunlight left, more worrying was that most who passed me appeared to be day trippers and not walkers kitted out in full Winter gear, I hoped that it was just Red Tarn they were heading for. The lower I descended the milder it became and soon I was de-layering, off came my beanie, gloves and buff which I double looped over my right wrist.

I knew the walk back along the Green Side would be fitting and during that time my heart warmed to the smell of wood smoke escaping the chimneys of Glenridding. I couldn't have asked to a more fitting end to a Winter walk if I had wished for it.

 

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