Author Topic: From Hartsop to Helvellyn: epic day in the eastern fells - blue sky day  (Read 982 times)

henryb

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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. :D  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:
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Brotherswater:
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The eastern fells:
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The Far eastern fells:
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Descent into Patterdale:
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Dollywagon from Grisedale Valley:
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Grisedale tarn from ascent of Dollywagon Pike:
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St Sunday crag and Grisedale:
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The western and NW fells from Nethermost:
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Following the eastern ridge:
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COniston fells, Scafells and central fells:
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the eastern fells:
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Striding Edge and St Sunday crag:
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COniston fells, Scafells, the central fells and Great Gable:
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Coledale fells:
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Ullswater:
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Skiddaw and Blencathra:
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Thirlmere:
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April

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Great pics and what a route  O0  A tough day out. Your walk illustrates good use of the buses to get about  :)

Did you do this on the 14th July? It was really windy where we were in Borrowdale and grim first thing. Improved as the day went on though it remained windy.
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redeye

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Great TR and photos on what looks like the perfect day O0

beefy

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Great stuff Henry,  O0
What a walk eh ;D



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henryb

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Thanks for the replies folks :)
@ April - yes, I did the walk last Saturday. It was windy in the eastern fells in the afternoon when I got onto the ridge. The bus service is excellent. I'm tempted to use the same services again on my next trip for a far eastern fell walk :)

Ridge

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Great photos Henry and a good call second guessing the weather.

pleb

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Tremendous pics and views  O0
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richardh1905

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What a day you had, Henry. Thanks for posting; great shots of Striding Edge and Red Tarn.


Been contemplating taking my 11 year old son up Striding Edge when we head south to see family in August.....
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pdstsp

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Great TR Henry and good to see a gamble pay off.  I walked from Mardale Head up onto Kidsty Pike and then round to Mardale Ill Bell on Saturday early morning and the stretch between High Street and Mardale Ill Bell was in clagg for quite a time.

sunnydale

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Lovely photos :D
***Happiness is only a smile away***

 

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