Hellvellyn's Views

 

Helvellyn dominates the skyline between the Thirlmere & Patterdale valleys in the Lake District. At 950 metres (3117 feet), Helvellyn is the third highest mountain in England and boasts some of the country's most demanding climbing terrain, the most famous being Striding Edge. Sadly, even some of the most experienced of climbers have fallen victim to Helvellyn's notorious terrain. In January 2008, two climbers died after falling from Helvellyn in two separate incidents in less than a week.

The weather conditions can change very frequently anywhere in the Lake District, particularly on the higher fells. Any walker should be prepared for all weather and check the forecast on the Lake District National Park Authority Weatherline.

There are many routes to choose from when planning to climb Helvellyn, the most popular being via Grassthwaite Howe or Red Tarn Beck from Glenridding on the East side and Helvellyn Gill from Thirlmere on the West. Click the link below to be taken direct to the route or scroll down the page at your leisure and enjoy.

 

Red Tarn Circular In Snow Via Red Tarn Beck

After having planned climbing Helvellyn again for several years now, I was somewhat disappointed to learn that it was snow-covered at the time I was ready. The last time I climbed Helvellyn was around seven years ago. I suffer from chronic back pain due to a slight spinal defect and after increasing exacerbations of the problem, I'd began to think that climbing the higher fells was to become a mere memory with very few photographic reminders of my own. I decided to go ahead and attempt the climb in the snow as far as Red Tarn. As well as my own physical limitations to consider, two experienced climbers died on Helvellyn within a week of each other just two months ago.

This walk begins at the large main car park in Glenridding and follows Red Tarn Beck up the valley to Red Tarn, returning along Grisedale Brow and Grassthwaite Howe. There is a visitor centre and toilets in the car park. The charge for parking is £6 for a full day.

There are two paths from the car park. The path at the back to the right leads up a small, steep street with a pub to the road leading to Greenside Mine. Leaving the front of the car park and crossing the bridge and turning right, leads along another lane beside Red Tarn Beck.

For the most direct route up Helvellyn and to Lanty's Tarn, take the left turn at the end of this lane. My walk carries on, following the beck.

The path leads through a farm and campsite.

At the end of the campsite, turn left.

Going straight ahead, through the gate, leads up to Grisedale Brow and on to Helvellyn. Following the distant wall will lead to Red Tarn Beck further upstream. Turn right instead to follow the beck more directly.

The track leads through a field to a bridge over the beck.

The short track leads to the road.

From here, the road leads to the disused Greenside Mine & the Youth Hostel.

Further on past the mine, another small wooden bridge crosses the beck.

 The path then leads up, along the valley to red tarn and Helvellyn's summit.

The sun surrounded by dark clouds produced some interesting contrast for pictures.

This was taken while experimenting with apature and ISO. I liked the result.

The view back down the valley with Sheffield Pike.

Looking towards the summit with Catstye Cam to the left.

The view back down the valley from higher up.

Grisedale Brow & Sheffield Pike to the left.

The path ahead with Striding Edge now visible.

Grisedale Brow with the wall.

Striding Edge to the left & Helvellyn's summit to the right.

Swirral Edge is on the far right.

The path up to Swirral Edge on the right.

Icicles.

The view towards Grisedale Brow prior to leaving.

Stang and Green Side.

Grisedale Brow.

The view South.

The first glimpse of Ullswater.

Looking back along Striding Edge to Helvellyn's summit.

The view down to Grassthwaite Howe and Glenridding.

The view up from Grassthwaite Howe.

 

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