Memory Map Route data
Google Earth KML fileHelvellyn summit
18th April 09
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Memory Map Route data |
Google Earth KML file |
Halfway to Hel (GPX) (right click>save as) |
| TOTAL DISTANCE | 10.7 MILES | TRIP TIME | 6 HOURS 3 MINUTES | |||||||||
| AVERAGE SPEED | 1.76 MPH | TOTAL ASCENT | 2837 ft | |||||||||
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Made a nice change to do a walk with company. On this occasion I had the
conversational company of Dave. We both agreed an early start was in order, and
we arrived at Patterdale at 08:00. It was a lovely clear day with a cool light
breeze, perfect weather for walking.
We started from outside the gates of Patterdale Hall at 08:15 and retraced
the steps from I made on 21/03/09 up to High Spying How. The steps up to the hole-in-the-wall were just
as energy sapping as before.
We reached High Spying How at 10:00 and had a seat to look at the awesome panoramic view from 2850ft up. You can see so much from up there. The breeze was gentle but a little to cool for waiting around for too long. So we cracked on to traverse Striding Edge. The are two option when it comes to Striding Edge. The first is to follow the little path that runs just down from the peak on the Red Tarn side. The second is to go of via the very top of the peak. On a windy day I would advise the path, but on a like it was then it had to be the peak. Dave had a head for the height, whereas I did not. Nevertheless I WAS going to make it.
It was nerve racking for me, with one false move and the drop would of hurt for a lifetime....... It is nearly half a kilometre across, and would love to say the view was all worth it. It wasn't the view because I didn't really get a chance to see while I was cross. I was concentrating on staying in one piece. I was so glad though that I did it when I got to the end of that stretch. It was exhilarating. As we climbed down the chimney there was a young lad there. Must of been all but 10-11 years old and the climb down had scared him because he couldn't feel his way down with his feet. He had 2 adults with him trying to coach him down. I personal thought the lad had done an excellent job getting to where he was.
At the end of Striding Edge there is a climb. It certainly not a walk, but a
beginners mountain climb. It's the final obstacle to the summit. The change in
terrain was I brilliant adage to the walk. Gentle gradient walk, steep gradient
walk, easy climb and the walk over the top of Striding Edge itself was a great
variety.
To be honest the summit I found disappointing itself. I felt more like I'd reach
the moon rather than than the summit of England's 3rd highest mountain. It was
very baron on the plateau. Just very boring. The view on the other hand is very
impressive indeed. The cloud was almost none existent, so the views were far in
all directions. It was 10:45 when made the top.
We rested on the Plateau looking over Red Tarn to eat nuts and drink whiskey.
Not sorry that's wrong some forgot the Jura.....!
A fella from Reading decided to join us while we rested. Seems he was over for
the weekend to find routes to take his kids. Not sure Helvellyn is the right
place. Thought it strange, as he reckoned he was going to do Scafell the
following day. Good luck I say..............
At the summit, but not even halfway round. That point was just before Dollywaggon Pike. So the descent started.
As we descended down to Nethermost Pike, I looked back to see Striding Edge. It was now had a swarm of people all over it. The early start paid off for the peace and quiet, for crossing the edge.
For beauty, my opinion is most definitely Dollywaggon Pike over Nethermost Pike. As you stand aloft the tongue looking down Grisedale valley and with Ullswater in the distance, the sight is inspiring. There is a great view of Fairfield and St Sunday Crag. I was eyeing up St Sunday Crag for future ventures.
The decent from Dollywaggon Pike is a good gradient down. The path twists and turns to take some of the steepness out. This when out of the blue 2 people that made Fell runners look nearly sane came hurtling down the hill on bikes! It has to said that Fell runners do not take up the whole path. I feel a certain sympathy for the ( mad) Fell runner and happily yield to give them a easier (for want of a better word) way passed. The 2 loonies on bike however, because they were travelling downhill on bikes, over loose stones, they came through if you liked it or not. The bike took up the whole path so everyone on the path had to dash to the side so as not to get hit by them. Well let just hope they don't encourage any more care-in-the-community types to pick up bikes.
Grisedale Tarn was a lovely sight. The sunny was now high enough over the opposite peaks to shine on the surface. This made the surface glisten magically. It would make a fine destination of its own. So peaceful.
We were now on the final leg, even though only 2/3 of the route had been completed. The path from Grisedale Tarn to Patterdale is part of the C2C walk and the busiest part of the walk we encountered.
The remaining walk to Patterdale was more just a pleasant walk in the sun. We made it back to the truck and considering we had walked near 11 miles, I felt fairly fresh. Though I wasn't going to say no to a drink in the White Lion at Patterdale. They were serving Tirrel's Wainwright Ale, which they said was only sold in that pub. Nice pint and well deserved
