Monday, June 01, 2015

Helvellyn ...50 years later!


"Striding Edge" on Helvellyn in Lake District taken during the Easter holidays in 1965

"Striding Edge" on a brilliant Spring day of 23 rd May 2015. Can you spot Emily?
This photo was taken on top of Helvellyn (950 m) and we're certainly ready for a snack before tackling the route down "Swirral Edge" to "Red Tarn" We were very lucky to get such a clear day and views across the lakes.

We had a great trip to Glenridding in the Lake District in northern England from where Emily and I did a circular walk to the summit of Helvellyn via the ridges of "Striding Edge" and "Swirral Edge". We got great views of Ullswater Lake on the ascent and the surrounding peaks at the summit.
Although I cannot recall much of the details, I did the first part of " Striding Edge" back when I was 17. This was earlier in the year with a group from Newark Technical College (hence the snow in the first photo). This is when I did my own photo developing and printing hence the poor quality! If David Dobson reads this (I have lost contact) I have a shot of us both on the summit wearing our woolly jumpers.
Ems and I both enjoyed cooling our feet in "Red Tarn" after the knee jarring descent down "Swirral Edge". After this, it is a pleasant walk following a stream back to the village. I think that on the college trip we returned by an easier route on the north side of the mountain.
Photo taken on the descent along "Swirral Edge" with "Red Tarn" our afternoon tea spot on the right.

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