Helvellyn - November 2009

Helvellyn is a brilliant mountain. One of my Lake District favourites. A massif that is unsurpassed in sheer grandeur. The name is synonomous with the Lake District and if you are a true Lake District walker, will no doubt have been ticked off your list.

I will usually climb Helvellyn a couple of times each year. I have yet to try a winter ascent in full snow, however aim to achieve this in 2012. The only route I have ascended is via Ullswater YHA, then Striding Edge. A lofty knife edged Arete, leading up to a final scramble to the summit plateau.

This particular trip was in November 2009 with my cousin, Matthew.

Mountain Hardwear "Trango 2"

We camped in Sykeside. At this time of year we had it all to ourselves. There was a nice Autumnal feel, the wind whipping around brown and crinkled leaves and blowing scudding clouds across the distant Dove Crag.

After a night in the Brotherswater Inn, we awoke to a crisp November morning. There was a temperature inversion which made for some great early morning shots.

A ten minute drive to Ullswater and we began our walk.

It was a cold morning, the temperature inversion had filled Patterdale with thick cloud. We started our slow ascent up the mighty flanks of Helvellyn.

Me sporting a 'Buff'

The initial ascent is somewhat arduous, following a path with a steep gradient toward the Hole In The Wall.

Catstye Cam on the right, Helvellyn in the middle of the shot

Suddenly, one is presented with the view above. Striding Edge can be seen in the left hand side of the photograph above.

We continued following this path which eventually led to the start of Striding Edge.

This is one of the most enjoyable of Lake District ridge walks. It is not overly difficult in dry and windless conditions. If you don't like heights, I can say it is definitely not for you. The ridge is very exposed if climbed via the true 'edge'. One can drop down to a lower path which is not quite so exposed.

Matthew, surveying the panorama

We began our walk along Striding Edge. The rocks were nice and dry and it was a simple task today.

Me with Striding Edge and Helvelln behind

We made our way along the 'Edge' toward the final scramble to the summit plateau.

Looking towards the Summit of Helvellyn

Red Tarn

Matthew above with Red Tarn behind, Striding Edge and our route up can be seen on the right.

The weather was in our favour today. We headed back down via Swirral Edge and back to the car park in Patterdale.

Thank you for reading.

Next up is Pavey Ark, Jacks Rake.