Ed was back in the guiding seat on Helvellyn today. Here's what he had to say...
'A private guiding day with Andrew who was over enjoying the Lakes with his parents for a few days. Andrew was keen to tackle Striding Edge but keen also to get off the beaten track and avoid the crowds, always a bit of a challenge on the Lake Districts most popular mountain! The mizzely weather and atmospheric cloud along with the midweek date chosen for his walk with LMG helped us with his goal, keeping numbers on the fells lower than recently. We then avoided those that were out enjoying the fells too by ascending to the pretty Lantys Tarn and following the ridge line upwards from there. It was always unlikely that we would get Striding Edge to ourselves but after a fun crossing with a few hellos exchanged with others we summited Helvellyn before descending for a bite to eat on the saddle between Swirral Edge and Catstycam. With Andrew having a great level of fitness and long legs grabbing the summit of Catstycam as an extra peak was an easy call to make and we got that one all to ourselves too! Descending the NW ridge seemed the best plan to further avoid bumping into other folk on the more popular routes leading down from Red Tarn and gave a fun adventurous descent to the dilapidated Kepple Cove dam. Finally after passing through Greenside Mine we arrived back in Glenridding where we had to admit defeat and contend with the Barbarian Hordes again (well a few people that were in the car park!).
A great day with some lovely atmospheric and moody conditions showing once again that it doesn’t have to be wall to wall sunshine to enjoy the fells and with a bit of thought that you can find your own little bit of peace and solitude even on the Lakes busiest mountain!'
Thanks both 🙌
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