With the back of Storm Jorge out of the way it was about time I set myself up for a Winter climb and with so many walks to choose from Catstye Cam from Glenridding peaked above the rest.

Lakeland and indeed much of the country are still licking their wounds, some more than others after what has just been announced as the wettest February on record but while rain has been falling at low levels snow has settled across the highest peaks at a point when down in the valleys, it's almost starting to feel Spring like.

With Spring just around the corner I thought I'd take my chances getting up close and personal with Helvellyn and what better way to experience than to climb her parent peak Catstye Cam. I've chose possibly, the second classic ascent route of Helvellyn the first in my opinion would have to be from Patterdale via the Grisedale valley but surely second to this is ascent from Glenridding via Birkhouse Moor.

I've ascended Helvellyn many times from both villages and any given day, one ascent is just as good as the other but when snow is on the ground the intimidation factor creeps in and for me there's no more intimidating place in Lakeland than Red Tarn when the cloud is closing in and blue skies turn to blizzards within the blink of an eye.

I had planned a later start than normal if only to allow any lingering showers to clear which worked out well arriving at the car park in Glenridding under clearing blue skies. I was the first car to arrive soon followed by a post office van which dropped off mail at the Visitor Centre nearby. It's a bright but cool morning with little to no wind here at valley level but what breeze there was blew on the cool side which left me thinking I'd done the right thing by adding extra layers under my base layer. I'm carrying full Winter kit today which includes, hat, goggles and more gloves than you can shake a stick at but I guess what are taking up most of the weight are my crampons and ice axe which I'm hoping I'll get to use in anger during my ascent of Catstye Cam.

Having locked the car I joined Greenside Road and was instantly taken back by this view of Birkhouse Moor and its snow capped summit where I could confirm the snow line was at around 1,100ft / 340m ABSL.

That's about half the way up Mires Beck to me and you.

Any exposed skin right now was taking a hammering from the windchill and that included a small section of my lower right ear which my beanie kept leaving exposed but I'll take the discomfort with views like this any day of the week.

It was from here I spotted a pitched tent just below Hole-in-the-Wall.

Adding my crampons made negotiating the drift easier and pace was regained. As I passed the tent I managed a few words with the owner who informed me about his night on the fell "it was about 02:30am and the wind was aggressive and loud, I had to get out first by digging myself out of drift which had formed around my tent before securing the tent lines using two ice axes, I honestly thought it was going to blow away with me in it" "then as if by magic, the wind just dropped just like it is now"

I've got to admire anyone who can rough camp at this height in these conditions.

With Red Tarn falling to my left I started the ascent towards Swirral Edge where before reaching the base of the ridge I'd cut of right from where I'd start the last push on Catstye Cam.

All that is left is the short, but steepish haul to gain Catstye Cam summit where moments after taking this photo I was caught by spindrift from Browncove below where I experienced a momentary white out before the snow settled.

Onwards and upwards as they say.

Summit time was kept brief with strong summits winds which added towards a severe wind chill but at least the cloud had cleared from Helvellyn summit where I spotted the two climbers heading towards the cross shelter.

Its probably best I start my descent but I couldn't help take a few photos first.

I was still wearing my crampons during the descent of the east ridge but I was still able to keep up a reasonable pace via the steep, zigzagged path. Below two walkers can be seen ascending alongside Red Tarn Beck while the walkers who had attempted to ascend Swirral Edge earlier are now making their way back down the path.

I'd removed my crampons after passing over the footbridge back at Red Tarn Beck and there was still snow flakes in the air as I passed below Birkhouse Moor before arriving at the bottom of Mires Beck where this mornings steep ascent had begun. By now its turning into a relatively mild afternoon back at valley level and I was pleased to see the car park had filled up with mostly visitors and dog walkers.

With a few minutes spare I twist the lid of my flask and pour myself several cups of hot Vimto while stood at the back of my car, the same cups I'd imagined drinking while being battered by high winds, snow and severe windchill at Catstye Cam summit just over an hour ago.