Helvellyn, Lake District, England.

Helvellyn

Helvellyn, Lake District.

Height – 950 metres. Map – BMC Lake District.

Climbed - 21 September 2010. Time taken – 3.5 hours.

Distance – 9 kilometres. Ascent – 985 metres.

Trip Report Details:

This was my first visit to the Lake District and after a morning spent travelling we drove south on the A591 Keswick to Grasmere Road , along the east shore of Lake Thirlmere. At the south end of this lake we parked in the car park beside Wythburn Church at a cost of £4 for four hours. Parking in the Lake District is obviously expensive.

From the north end of the car park we followed a path through the forest, across the ‘Permitted Path’ from Dunmaill Rais to Swirls, and onto the open hillside. The path followed the fence line, which ran along the edge of the forest, then above the south bank of Comb Gill before climbing round the tops of Comb Crag and High Crag.

It was early afternoon so there were a number of folks descending the path as well as few making their ascent. Higher up we left the path and climbed to the summit of Nethermost Pike. The cloud was floating around the summit of Helvellyn but we did manage views of Striding Edge and Grisedale Beck.

A short descent north from Nethermost Pike was followed by an easy climb towards Helvellyn passing a shelter before reaching the cairn perched above the east ridge. A short walk along the edge of the ridge took us to the summit trig point. The cloud broke briefly and allowed views of Red Tarn and Swirral Edge.

The descent was by the return route missing out Nethermost Pike. We made it back to the car park with half an hour to spare before the parking fee expired.

Photos taken on walk.