Magical morning on Helvellyn

[Broggy1]

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A wonderful and magical hike above the clouds with the lads for our Christmas walk - I had to be back for a meal in the afternoon so we decided on classic Helvellyn using the Patterdale approach there and back.

Only the real highest tops where above the inversion today as the cloud level had risen.

Cold at valley level but warm on the top. Both edges free of snow but some icy sections needing care.

A day to remember!

Approaching Striding Edge and already above the cloud

St Sunday Crag and Fairfield just poking above the cloud

Classic Striding Edge

Striding Edge

Looking back along the edge

And again

Spectacular weather

Final climb now ahead

Catstyecam sticking out

On the final scramble to the plateau - don't let the angle he's taken this photograph fool you....it's not that steep

Looking back along the edge

Conditions were even better as we reached the plateau

Must be like this in heaven

Looking over towards Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon

Catstyecam and beyond

Striding Edge from the summit - now slowly being engulfed too

Just magical

The summit plateau - not many people about here and warm in the sun

Only the real highest tops were sticking out today - here's Scafell Pike

Swirral Edge to Catstyecam

Anton and Will on Catstyecam

Andy, Rob and Dan on Catstyecam - it's rare for us all to get together for a walk so even better to get the weather we did

Looking back at Helvellyn

One last look at heaven before we drop back into the fog

[dav2930]

What amazing conditions for a family trip round the classic Helvellyn circuit! The best inversions are the ones where only the highest tops peep above the mist. On the preceding Saturday I was on the fells above Buttermere and the whole of the Irish Sea seemed covered by a blanket of white mist, but it was very low lying and only managed to creep so far up the western valleys. I like to make a point of doing the Helvellyn circuit at least once every winter when there's a good covering of snow.

Great report and photos.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Title doesn't disappoint, sensational conditions.

[Alteknacker]

The title says it all: brilliant

[Broggy1]

Thanks you all for your comments - it is certainly a day I will remember forever.