Friday 3rd March 2006

Start point: Dunmail Raise (NY 329 111)

Dunmail Raise - Willie Wife Moor - Helvellyn - Nethermost Pike - High Crag - Dollywagon Pike - Grisedale Tarn - Raise Beck - Dunmail Raise

Distance: 7.4 miles     Total Ascent: 1000 metres     Time Taken: 3 hours 50 minutes

Weather: Cold with sunny intervals and snow showers. -4oC

Route Map

Blimey, it was cold this morning! It was -8C when I drove through Grasmere for an early start up to Helvellyn from Dunmail Raise. The slog up Willie Wife Moor took longer than I thought and when I reached the snow line at 650 metres, the going became even tougher with the iced over snow making walking difficult. Once on the summit of Helvellyn, I put my crampons on for security and enjoyed the high level traverse of the snowy ridge.

Looking along a part frozen Thirlmere to Skiddaw.

Early morning sunlight on Helm Crag and Steel Fell with the Coniston fells in the distance.

Close up of the Coniston fells.

Skiddaw and Skiddaw Little Man.

Grasmoor and Eel Crag.

Looking over Steel Fell to the Langdales and High Raise.

"Where's me hair bobble?"

Catstycam and Swirral Edge from Helvellyn, Ullswater to the right.

Angus checks out the snowy Helvellyn ridge where there is an angry looking sky.

The summit of Helvellyn.

Ullswater with Cross Fell and The Pennines looking amazingly close.

Helvellyn.

A frozen Red Tarn and Striding Edge.

Looking down on Striding Edge.

Panoramic Striding Edge.

Red Tarn and Catstycam.

Walking the ridge to Nethermost Pike.

Striding Edge from the approach to Nethermost Pike.

Snowy lines and cornices.

Helvellyn, Catstycam and Striding Edge.

The mountaineer, Sir Angus Hilary.

Esk Pike, Scafell Pike, Great End, Lingmell and Glaramara from Nethermost Pike.

Further along the ridge, walking to High Crag.

Looking back along the Helvellyn ridge.

Saint Sunday Crag.

A panoramic shot of Saint Sunday Crag and Fairfield.

Seat Sandal and the Coniston fells from the old fence post that marks the top of the steep path down to Grisedale Tarn.

Fairfield and a frozen and snowy Grisedale Tarn.

This is a steep way down.

Blue sky over Fairfield. That was the last of the good weather - the sky turned dark and the snow came with a vengeance. By the time I got back to Dunmail Raise the snow was severe and continued throughout my journey home. Looks like I timed that one just right!

Icicles on Raise Beck.

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