I fulfilled a dream last Saturday in the Lakes: climbing Helvellyn on a clear day. Every since I watched Britain's top 100 walks in February with Helvellyn being voted the nation's favourite, I made Helvellyn my primary objective this year. I got the 555 to Windermere followed by the 508 to Hartsop. Having done Place fell last year I decided to climb Angeltarn Pikes via Boardale Hause. I reached the summit at midday after 1.5 hours walking. The met office was predicting very good visibility in the far eastern fells for most of the day with only very good visibility in the eastern fells from 4pm onwards. As I looked to the High Street range I could see several fells but on the eastern fells, the higher fells had cloud on the summits. What should I do? Should I be safe and stick to the High Street range which would be simpler or gamble on the cloud lifting in the east and obtain a more spectacular view? I decided to gamble and descended to Patterdale. I picked up the path to Grisedale Tarn and got there at 2.30pm for lunch. I met numerous walkers descending who had done Helvellyn earlier but it was cloudy. As I approached the tarn, the sun broke and the western fells could be seen in the distance.
I ascended Dollywagon Pike and Nethermost before obtaining Helvellyn's summit at 4pm. Views were spectacular. I descended to Swirls Car park for 5.10pm. Total distance was 24km which I think is the longest walk I've ever done in the Lakes.
Brotherswater:
Brotherswater:
The eastern fells:
The Far eastern fells:
Descent into Patterdale:
Dollywagon from Grisedale Valley:
Grisedale tarn from ascent of Dollywagon Pike:
St Sunday crag and Grisedale:
The western and NW fells from Nethermost:
Following the eastern ridge:
COniston fells, Scafells and central fells:
the eastern fells:
Striding Edge and St Sunday crag:
COniston fells, Scafells, the central fells and Great Gable:
Coledale fells:
Ullswater:
Skiddaw and Blencathra:
Thirlmere: