Helvellyn

[Guinessman]

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Lakes trip Wednesday 16/09/2015 topping up the fitness for a Scottish backpacking trip next month. Drove over to Glennridding Ullswater and parked up at the lay by about 1/2 mile north of the village. It costs £8 per day to park in the big car park, I'd rather walk the extra 1/2 mile. Got there for 8.30 and was walking by 8.45. The forecast had been 15mph wind increasing. There was no wind and the car temp read 5 C , perfect for walking. Walked into the village and took the road past the Travellers Rest PH up towards the YH. Went past the YH and up the zig zag route that takes you into a heathery bowl area that is reminiscent of the Perthshire hills and then up onto to Sticks pass. You can ascend Raise straight from the top of the zig zag part of the path on a path that takes you to the ski huts. I continued onto Raise and onto Whiteside before climbing onto Lower man and then walking onto Helvellyn. Got there just after 12 noon. Initially the plan was to walk along the Helvellyn ridge and then drop down to Grisedale tarn and out through the valley but I hadn't been on Striding edge since around 2003 usually because its always heaving so started to think about doing it. It was too early to go down onto Striding edge because to do It now would mean being at the car by 14.30 so I walked along the Helvellyn ridge to Nethermost pike by the corrie edges rather then the Helvellyn highway- the main route along this way-and continued onto Dollywagon pike. There is a spur that runs to the summit of Dollywagon pike from the climbing hut below in Grisedale that I'd done before. After a rest on top of Dollywagon pike I returned to Helvellyn via the highway and went to the top of Striding edge getting there for around 13.45hrs. Dropped down to the edge and continued along it by passing a few people who were either hobbling along it crab style or going too slow. Dropped down to Red tarn and then walked out via the spot height of 718 metre on Birkhouse moor and down to the camp site at Gillside and back to the car.

I usually give Helvellyn a miss because of its popularity and I still wouldn't say its a favourite however doing it yesterday and looking at it from different angles and in different light it is actually an impressive mountain and if you like your mountains like I do it has everything you would wish for. Here is few pics.

Catsyecam from just above the YH


The heathery bowl above the zig zag path


Lower man



Top of lower man



Classic shot of Striding edge and Red Tarn



Helvellyn from Nethermost pike



Across from Dollywagon Pike



Striding Edge looking to Helvellyn



Red Tarn and Swirral Edge

[ChrisW]

Great stuff Guinessman, if that's you getting your fitness up what are you going to do up in Scotland That looks a beautiful hike, though as you say not as much fun when heaving with folks As for the 8 quid parking I'd rather hop all the way

[Guinessman]

Thanks for that, agreed with the car parks, last time I went to langdale ,about 3 years ago it was 7 quid to park for the day, that coupled with fuel costs makes it an expensive day

[trailmasher]

Another fine route Guinessman and the parking fees suck. £8, the cost is going up . I don't know if you are aware but just down the road at Patterdale just at the end of the track to Side Farm there is an area of free parking in front of the old school . OK, a bit of road walking but saves the money

[mamoset]

Always been a good starting point Stybarrow Crag over the years. Some nice pics and report there Guiness.