Swaledale Outdoor Club

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Lake District

We met in Richmond to share transport where possible and drove to Patterdale where it was raining and relatively warm with no sign of snow anywhere!

Back in the pub afterwards, over our lemonades, it seemed that all had enjoyed their day. Thanks to all for coming----hope there is snow next year!

We split into 2 parties, me taking the more orthodox walk ( 8 of us) up the end of St Sunday Crag and along the ridge towards Fairfield, and Tim (who lives in N.Lancashire) taking his party ( 9 of them) along Grisedale to climb St Sunday Crag via Pinnacle Ridge, a class 3 scramble. Battling through wind driven rain, we paused to look for Tim's group at the top of the Pinnacle Ridge area but could see no movement among the mist shrouded rocks. We pressed on to keep warm and upon reaching Deepdale Hause decided to miss Fairfield and go directly down to Grisedale Tarn. Out of the wind we had a quick lunch then descended to the tarn through thick mist and over soggy terrain.

Here 2 of our party decided to return down Grisedale while the rest zigzagged up the newly paved track up Dollywaggon Pike. Out of the wind and working hard one sweated profusely, only to rapidly cool down when exposed to the wind higher up the mountain.

It was still misty but the rain had reduced to a drizzle. Across the flank of Nethermost Pike we could see little but found Helvellyn with no problem. Here were remnents of a recent snow cornice---the only snow we saw!

We backtracked to find the track which descended steeply down onto Striding Edge and slithered down the scree and loose soil to the col. After a quick climb we followed one of the several paths along the ridge to eventually reach the Hole in the Wall and descend down the main track into Grisedale again.

It was nearly dark when we reached the carpark again and we had changed into dry clothes when Tim's party came in.

In the prevailing conditions and with a large party, climbing Pinnacle Ridge had been slow and they had continued along the ridge to Fairfield then dropped down to return down Grisedale valley.

John Deighton

Last Modified: 7 May, 2003