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Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: hinch184 on 08:56:52, 15/10/19

Title: Helvellyn
Post by: hinch184 on 08:56:52, 15/10/19
Morning,


Anyone able to advise how difficult Helvellyn is to climb in winter, I've seen a few things online for "Gully 2" and it looks fairly tame. Can anyone correct me, harder than it looks?


Cheers

Title: Re: Helvellyn
Post by: gunwharfman on 09:40:56, 15/10/19
I've climbed it a few times over the years, had danger problems twice, both hikes were aborted, once because of heavy rain and high winds (it was the high winds that made me decide) and the second time because of deep snow on Striding Edge. Mind you this was years ago, in the 80s.

I was involved in danger a third time, this time in the late 90s. Three of us came down Striding Edge, late morning on a very cold but sunny day. We walked down to a sloping field, didn't bother to concentrate anymore, we were relaxed and joking with each other when one friend took a step forward, suddenly yelped and in an instance was sliding down the grass on his back, the field was a sheet of ice! My other friend and I were rooted to the spot. The other friend was lucky, he hit the bottom of the field wall with his feet, not his head but in his panic had tried to slow down using his hands. When we got down to him his hands were in a sorry state, bleeding, grazed and bruised and his trousers and coat were ripped as well. We all learned something that day about how deceptive a beautiful landscape can be.
Title: Re: Helvellyn
Post by: hinch184 on 10:29:39, 15/10/19
Thanks for the response, ideally I'd be wanting to go to Red Tarn then ascend at the far side as can be seen in this photo


https://www.summitpost.org/helvellyn-no-2-gulley/889432 (https://www.summitpost.org/helvellyn-no-2-gulley/889432)


I'd avoid Striding and Swirral altogether (apart from maybe a descent down Swirral).
Title: Re: Helvellyn
Post by: ninthace on 10:32:20, 15/10/19
YouTube has videos on the subject
Title: Re: Helvellyn
Post by: hinch184 on 10:34:06, 15/10/19
YouTube has videos on the subject


Thanks I'll take a look  :)
Title: Re: Helvellyn
Post by: richardh1905 on 13:28:59, 15/10/19
The steep descent down to the top of Swirral Edge requires care if snow covered.


If in doubt, head north and use the much easier Keppel Cove path.
Title: Re: Helvellyn
Post by: hinch184 on 13:30:37, 15/10/19
The steep descent down to the top of Swirral Edge requires care if snow covered.


If in doubt, head north and use the much easier Keppel Cove path.


Great idea, just had a Google and looks like a suitable alternative route down  O0
Title: Re: Helvellyn
Post by: staggerindragon on 14:36:20, 15/10/19
And starting in December, the fell top assessors will be back at their daily reports. More info at @LakesWeather.
Title: Re: Helvellyn
Post by: hinch184 on 14:39:51, 15/10/19
And starting in December, the fell top assessors will be back at their daily reports. More info at @LakesWeather.


Brilliant! Thanks for the tip  O0