Dawn over Ullswater

First light on the hills above Glenridding.

Birkhouse Moor and a tint of the day.

From Mirehouse Beck the view behind was stunning.

And as I gained height it got even better. (especially as we were now in the warming sun)

Place Fell

The clouds fan out.

Helvellyn has a touch of snow.

Warming sun on Catstycam from Birkhouse Moor summit.

Birkhouse Moor from near the Hole in the Wall.

The approach to High Spying How.

Striding Edge from High Spying How.

The Dixon Memorial.

Striding Edge ridge. The challenging route is to follow the crest of the ridge, however there is an easier route down to the right. Not everyday is as perfect as this so do remember that Striding Edge should be treated with respect.

Looking back along the Edge. The most challenging section is the chimney which can be seen as the "gash" in shadow in the foreground.

The classic Striding Edge view from the steep scree path near the summit of Helvellyn.

The memorial is reached on the summit plateau.

Ullswater from the summit.

Snow on the north eastern face.

Heading towards Lower man with the distant North western fells behind.

Skiddaw behind Lower Man.

Do days on the fells get much better than this?

Browncove Crags and Thirlmere.

Re-tracing my steps to Helvellyn.

A steep descent on Swirral Edge and on to Catstycam.

White Side from our lunch stop.

Catstycam summit.

C'mon!, Zeta leads the way down the north west ridge.

The now (fairly dry) Keppel Cove tarn.

Down the valley and a view right to Great Dun Fell.

Raise from Brown Cove Tarn.

The dam in Keppel Cove.

It is now in a bad state of repair.

The old water course on Catstycam's slopes.

Ice patterns in the ditch.

The wooden water gutter has now gone.

Light fades as we descend the valley.

A last look back as we cross the beck.

And returning to the start after a very enjoyable walk.