Helvellyn

Helvellyn

Eastern Lake District

Route: Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon Pike

Area: Eastern Lake District

Date of walk: 16th April 2014

Walkers: Andrew

Distance: 9.1 miles

Ascent: 3,600 feet

Weather: very cold and windy on tops, bright spells

With Easter approaching, I wanted to avoid a crowd scene on the summit of Helvellyn, which is a magnet for walkers especially at this time of year, so I set off bright and early and was on the starting grid near Wythburn Church before 8am

There was no one else around as I plodded up the slopes of Birk Side towards my first target, Helvellyn. Just before reaching the top, it clouded over and there were no views at all – a real disappointment. It was freezing cold as well, 2c with a considerable wind chill factor taking the temperature far lower than that. Thank goodness I was properly equipped

I decided to wait in the summit shelter for a while in the hope that the mist would clear and after about 20 minutes it did, giving me the opportunity to admire the dramatic surroundings, particularly Striding Edge

It was an easy walk across to Nethermost Pike, then a longer down and up to the final summit of Dollywagon Pike. Although the mist had cleared, it was hazy and the long distance views were quite poor. I descended to Grisedale Tarn and back to the start via Raise Beck and then easy paths along the valley

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