The Gazette report is produced below, if anyone has any pictures then please let me know, John Harris.

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The group took the somewhat longer approach from the small village of Patterdale where reputedly the finest ascents are made from. The classic route from here is the traverse of the ridge of Striding Edge.

They started out at Grisedale Bridge in Patterdale, and then on to a narrow road, which climbs past the wooded grounds of Patterdale Hall to reach the scattered farmsteads in the Grisedale valley, they then crossed the stream or "beck" as it is known in England and started to climb diagonally up the hillside.

The weather the previous day had been of very heavy rain and gale force winds and there was quite a lot of wet fresh snow overnight, and although it was cold with a strong wind it was dry, and there were some blue patches amongst the grey clouds overhead, so the group were optimistic as they ascended.

When they reached the top of the skyline at the 1000 foot contour, there was a large dry stone dyke where the group took advantage of the shelter from the by now ever increasing wind, and from this vantage point they could see that the summit of Hellvellyn was completely covered in very dark and ominous clouds, and all the surrounding ridges were covered in fresh snow. A group decision was now made to change the intended route to an adjoining peak called Catstycam, or Catstye Cam or Catchedicam, which at 2917 feet, is only 200 feet lower than the summit of Hellvellyn itself. They then followed the very well worn trail through the snow, contouring round Red Tarn (a small loch) that led along and then up to this summit, where by now they were buffeted by very strong winds accompanied by snow and hail.

After a short break they descended down the rough stony slopes to the track down below where the snow by now had turned to constant rain. They then followed the track down past old mine workings and the youth hostel which eventually led them to the small village of Glenridding, and from there a short walk back to the car park.