While the weather was overcast it felt like spring had arrived as we left the campsite at Gillside Farm and sweated our way up towards Red Tarn. The illusion didn't last long and once we reached the col before the tarn we were met by a keen wind and soon changed back into winter clothing.
Across the tarn the north face of Helvellyn with its large cornices looked positively Alpine and it did not take long for us to decide on a quick break to take in the scene.
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| Striding Edge on the left and Swirral Edge on the right, with Helvellyn in the Centre. |
Our plan was to head up onto Swirral Edge and then enjoy an easy scramble onto Helvellyn. On the way up we met several people coming down who had abandoned their attempt on the summit because they did not have ice axes or crampons. Some even seemed surprised to find winter conditions up here! If you are heading anywhere in the Lake District it is worth checking out the Lake District Weatherline which provides a daily report on the conditions found on Helvellyn during the winter.
http://www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk/index
We soon made it onto the ridge seeking out the best scrambling to give some added interest. This was great fun and we followed the crest to get some shots which despite the hazy mist still gave a sense of exposure.
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| View towards Catstycam |
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| Moira and Sandra on the upper section |
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| Some nice exposure with Red Tarn below |
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| Exiting Swirral Edge |
We had a quick wander over to the summit, but after two busload sized groups turned up we plodded back to the Swrirral Edge exit cairn to have our lunch and watch a few lemmings without crampons, or ice axes gamble on a slide down to Red Tarn and afternoon spent with the local rescue team.
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| Looking along the cornice from the Swirral edge exit towards the summit |
We then headed onto Whiteside and then down into Keppel Cove, before making our way back to the campsite via the high level path above Glenridding beck.
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| Last shot with the view across Brown Cove of Swirral Edge and Catstycam |
Text images copyright David Forster www.bluestoneimages.com
Hi David. Excellent walk and some great pictures.
ReplyDeleteHelvellyn seems to be a magnet for lemmings. The last time I climbed Helvellyn – which was from Wythburn about three years ago – the summit was covered in snow and ice. Coming down towards White Side I was approached by a chap wearing trainers and a Magpies football shirt with his wife and children in tow. None of them was wearing a scrap of mountain gear. He asked me if they were on the right path for the summit.
What do you do about these people? They are a danger to themselves, their families and others.
Cheers, Alen
Newcastle supporters are a tough lot Alen, a football shirt in winter was probably more than enough. Joking aside I agree about the hill being a magnet for lemmings, mind you the lakes in general is getting serious. I have lost count of the number of times I have been asked the way by folk without a map, or by parents trailing equally ill equipped kids. Education and publicity is perhaps the way forward but then again some people are just plain dense.
ReplyDeleteCheers, David