Mountain Play Park

When in New York I was watching the UK weather as the snow came down.  I had only just made it out of Manchester with delays due to iced up wings and snow following me all the way down the motor way.  But this weekend has just been the best for heading for the hills.  High pressure, blue sky and snow.  What a mix!  How often can we shed our coats, slap on the sunscreen and enjoy the snow in Cumbria, positively Alpine.

From Glenridding, deceptively green, we set off up the same route I had taken in August, via Lanty’s tarn and Grisdale Valley.  Though, if you remember, August Bank holiday last year was just a little grim.  In contrast the views were almost immediately stunning,with Ullswater clear and reflective with a handily positioned seat.  Do beware though, it has a collapsible back.

Ullswater

If you want a relatively gentle ascent, then this route obliges.  Beyond Lanty’s Tarn the path slowly winds up the side of Grisdale Valley, giving plenty of opportunities to stand and stare, or drink coffee and take photo’s as the snow line approached.

Looking back to High Street

White had become the norm by the time we reached the Hole in the Wall, and Rosie had no trouble negotiating the stiles.

Hole in the Wall

Stepping over the wall and it was instant transportation into a winter bowl I hardly recognised from the grey sodden August day, when I was last here.

Helvelly, Swirral and Catstye Cam

Several routes converge here, so suddenly there were more people.  But the sun had put everyone in a happy mood.  Amazing what a touch of vitamin D can do.

It was quite difficult to drag ourselves off the top and head down towards Red Tarn, but nature and crazy climbers continued to entertain us. 

Looking towards Red Tarn and Catstye Cam

Small silhouettes were picking their way across Striding Edge, climbers, far braver than myself, were scaling the north face of Helvellyn and if that wasn’t enough for the trill seekers, skiers were heading down the same slopes!

Red Tarn

Little did we know the best was yet to come.  From the tarn, we headed up to Swirral Edge, where we settled down to enjoy a lunch, free from battering winds and driving rain.  As we were basking in the sunshine, the noise of a helicopter broke our reverie, which is always a bit of a jolt, but this time it was obviously just on exercise.  RAF pilot must have enjoyed hovering around just as much as anyone else as they took time to wave and came in so close we felt we could have shared our organic egg butties.

After the helicopter came the Para gliders,

at which point we thought we had better leave the in-house entertainment and head up to our destination,

Top of Catstye Cam

though the downward trail was more fun than up,

For dog and humans alike!