Wythburn – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike – High Crag – Dollywaggon Pike – Wythburn
Distance: 6.5 miles Total Ascent: 880 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 06:55
Firstly, today is a celebration as it is 20 years today that the first walk was published on this website – 20 years! The first walks were actually in 2003 when I started recording summits on camera to keep a record of Wainwrights I had walked, as previously they were walked randomly and without any record. In January 2004 I got my act together, got a suitable domain name and published a few walks on 12th January 2004 (mainly looked at by me, it has to be said).The memory card on that camera could hold 6 photos hence the reason why there are so few photos on the early walk plus of course they took hours to upload via dial up!
Anyway, it has been a great journey, thanks for all the support over the years (including the lean years when the rest of life got in the way of fell walking) I have made some great friendships far and wide and I hope that plenty of you – the viewer – have too.
On with today’s walk – conditions appeared to look favourable for an inversion today but as you all know, you never can tell…
![694A2430 694A2430](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2024-01-12-helvellyn/694A2430.jpg)
When I set off from Wythburn it was snowing. The snow got progressively worse as I climbed in the dark with a head torch on. I must admit, I did wonder whether it was worth carrying on as it didn't look very likely to get above the cloud today and perhaps I should turn back. Anyway, I persevered and plodded on...until suddenly the sky was lit up as in this photo!
![694A2435 694A2435](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2024-01-12-helvellyn/694A2435.jpg)
The highest fells were indeed above the clouds - this is looking across to Bowfell and the Scafells, Great Gable on the right.
![694A2437 694A2437](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2024-01-12-helvellyn/694A2437.jpg)
The path to Helvellyn, I think we have timed this right to get to the summit just before sunrise (08:30 sunrise time today).
![694A2451 694A2451](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2024-01-12-helvellyn/694A2451.jpg)
I was surprised at how many people were up there today, I am more used to it being one man and his dog! Clearly everyone had heard how spectacular it was going to be today.
![694A2466 694A2466](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2024-01-12-helvellyn/694A2466.jpg)
What a fantastic view to the north - this is my personal favourite of the day, I think the colours are fabulous. Can you spot the climber on Swirral Edge?
![694A2501 694A2501](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2024-01-12-helvellyn/694A2501.jpg)
Although it all looks frozen, it was surprisingly warm up here today and I ended up in shirt sleeves.
![694A2512 694A2512](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2024-01-12-helvellyn/694A2512.jpg)
Helvellyn summit plateau and you can just make out Helvellyn's own Brocken Spectre in the distance. Two lads were sat at the trig column throughout the morning and never moved - call me old fashioned but I thought it was fell etiquette not to sit at the summit and to allow others their moment of topping out and to take photos etc - any thoughts?