A Walk - Raise & Helvellyn with Dave Colbert
10 miles (16km) with 3350ft (1020m) Total Ascent
Helvellyn is the third highest mountain in England, one of only four that reach ‘Munro’ height. It is best climbed from the east by one of the twin arêtes that enclose the glacial corrie holding Red Tarn, so today our ascent route, weather permitting will be via Striding Edge, followed by a traverse of the range as far as Raise before descending from Sticks Pass to the Greenside Road.
We start from the car park in Glenridding and head up Little Cove to Birkhouse Moor and the infamous Hole-in-the-Wall, basically a gate. The traverse of Striding Edge is very exposed and includes a down climb of some 15 metres at its far end before the final steep climb to Helvellyn´s summit plateau. It´s then along the broad ridge from Lower Man northwards over White Side and Raise to the Sticks Pass, from where we descend alongside Sticks Gill to the Greenside mines and Glenridding.
If weather conditions are poor, we will follow an alternative route from Patterdale via Grisedale, Grisedale Tarn and Dollywaggon Pike, descending from White Side to the Greenside mines. This is slightly longer and involves an additional 90m / 300ft of climbing.
B+ Walk - The Knot & Angle Tarn with Val Walmsley
9 miles (15km) with 2000ft (610m) Total Ascent
Leaving the coach at Horseman Bridge East to Hartsop & path via Hayeswater Gill to ascend The Knott.
Path north west passing below Rest Dodd to Angle Tarn & Pikes. Follow route to Boredale Hause then back to Glenridding via Side Farm, Patterdale & Grisedale Bridge.
B Walk - Boredale Hause and Sandwick with Stuart & Judith
8½ miles (13.6km) with 1200ft (366m) Total Ascent
The walk will start when the coach drops us off in Patterdale.
We leave Patterdale along the lane to Rooking and start our climb of Boredale Hause. We make for Boredale Head where we start on our rocky descent into the valley to reach a tarmac road.We follow this for about 2 miles before coming to Beckside. A left turn along an undulating path brings us to the shores of Ullswater. We continue the walk to silver bay where we take the lower path, when we will shortly reach Side Farm. Leaving the farm we walk on until we reach the main road which leads us into Glenridding for the coach.
Hopefully we will have time for a drink in the rather nice Inn on the Lake where they have a walkers bar.
C Walk - Brothers Water to Glenridding with Bill Manning
5 miles (8km) with 200ft (61m) Total Ascent
Starting from Sykes farm camp site, we take the farm track down to Hartsop Hall where we bear right to reach the shoreline path of Brothers Water before joining the A592. From here we head for Hart-sop village.
Retracing our steps, we turn right down the lane to Calf Close. Here, we start our climb to Dubhow and Crookabeck and on to Side Farm, where we can stop for refreshments. Leaving here, we meet the A592 taking us to Glenridding for the coaches and cafes.
Come and join me for an extra walk to Lanty's tarn if you wish.