Helvellyn Sunrise

Walked on 17/12/2021

Start point: Wythburn (NY 324 136)

Wythburn – Birk Side – Nethermost Pike – High Crag – Dollywaggon Pike – Seat Sandal – Wythburn

Distance: 8 miles Total Ascent: 1042 metres Time Taken: 5 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 06:30

Clear                 
Temperature      5 ℃ 
Felt like        5 ℃
Wind Speed       1.3 mi/h
Wind Direction   ENE

Regular followers of this site over the years will know I like a sunrise walk and particularly at this time of year up to Helvellyn. All the conditions looked to be good for a decent sunrise today so I felt compelled to go for it, and I am mighty glad I did as it was absolutely fantastic up there. Previously all my December walks up there have been memorably cold but this time it was not so bad. Of course you never know what the conditions are really going to be like walking up in the dark but the view of the inversion to the east when nearing the top was fabulous and I knew I was in for a treat from that moment.

Pre-sunrise and it is shaping up to be a fantastic day ahead.

Ghostly Striding Edge is completely enveloped in cloud.

I had time for a walk along the summit plateau before the sunrise proper - there were another couple of people there to witness the spectacle as well.

Here we go, the first glimpse of sunrise - it is, of course, relatively late at this time of year at around 08:30.

Catstycam looking solitary.

Well worth the wait...

...and well worth a photo or two.

Helvellyn sunrise.

It is absolutely superb this morning.

The clouds look like you could jump from the edge into them. Perhaps you could swim to Catstycam?

Striding Edge looking fantastic, like some sort of prehistoric beast emerging from the clouds.

No man is an island.

Fletcher leads the way from Helvellyn.

Striding Edge is constantly changing with more - or less - being revealed by the clouds as they ebb and flow.

Acres of fluffy clouds as far as the eye can see to the east.

Looking great from every angle.

Fletcher is oblivious to the magnificence behind him.

I did hang around on Helvellyn for a good while (for me anyway) and walked along the ridge a couple of time before heading south to Nethermost Pike, here looking to the west with Bowfell to Great Gable in view through the inversion.

The inversion clouds are sinking away from Striding Edge and Catstycam now.

A penny for them Fletcher.

Heading for High Crag.

A panorama to the west. The central part if the lakes along Thirlmere was clear of cloud.

Fairfield and the Ill Bell ridge beyond.

Seat Sandal under a cloud cap. I stopped on Dollywaggon Pike and had a coffee and watched the fascinating cloud movements unfold. The cloud was pouring from Grisedale Tarn and down Raise Beck and began to fill up the Thirlmere valley.

Looking along The Tongue from Dollywaggon Pike summit, a good place to sit for a while. Amazingly I never saw anyone along this ridge after I left Helvellyn.

...and looking back the other way.

At the old gatepost that marks the start of the steep descent to Grisedale Tarn, Seat Sandal summit is out of the clouds now so let's go for it!

More thoughts for Fletcher on the way down. Oh my, I had forgotten how steep this was!

We're going in!

Then, as if by magic, the cloud has all but gone looking to Fairfield and St Sunday Crag from the steep climb to Seat Sandal.

Grasmere, Windermere and Coniston from Seat Sandal summit.

A brocken spectre? Nearly....sort of...not quite. If the clouds were a bit thicker it would have been a cert from that position but not to worry.

The view from Low Wood on the way home - rarely is Winderemere this calm.

Helvellyn

Walked on 04/12/2018

Start point: Wythburn (NY 324 136)

Wythburn – Birk Side – Nethermost Pike – High Crag – Dollywaggon Pike – Nethermost Pike –Helvellyn – Wythburn

Distance: 7.2 miles Total Ascent: 1018 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 10 minutes Start Time: 06:45

Weather: Freezing, some cloud and a strong cold wind. 0ºC

Today seemed to be the best bet for some decent wintry weather with the forecast showing wet and windy for pretty much the remainder of the week. It is always a bit of a leap of faith setting off up to the fells in the dark and hoping that the weather will be okay when you get to the top. Perhaps it wasn’t as fabulous as I hoped it may have been but still it was a great walk along the frozen Helvellyn ridge. That wind was bitingly cold up there yet at valley level it was as still as could be, especially to the south as you will see in the photos. There wasn’t a soul around this early and on such a day and it was quite special to have a sunrise and Helvellyn all to myself.

Helvellyn Map

In the twilight on Nethermost Pike. All the way on the journey and then on the climb I was intrigued by the crescent moon and close by Venus shining brightly. The indications were good that this was to be a clear day but as I approached Helvellyn I could see the cloud was already forming on the top so I cut straight across to get here, hoping it would remain clear.

Witnessing the sunrise from up on high is always a great moment and fantastic sight.

The mist was constantly swirling in and out now with a strong and cold wind blowing it.

Despite the cold it was still a beautiful sight to witness and gave some interesting perspectives on the daybreak.

To the south the low lying valleys were under a nice temperature inversion, here lit up by the rising sun. I think that makes High Crag and Dollywaggon Pike look even colder.

Looking back to frozen Nethermost Pike from High Crag.

As above, so below - there was plenty of cloud forming around us now.

Fletcher and Dougal are ready to go, they certainly don't want to be sitting around in this weather.

Frozen Grisedale, Ullswater beyond.

A similar view from The Tongue on Dollywaggon Pike.

In the mist - the ridge just walked.

It is looking quite clear over to the east now.

Wow, what a winter's view looking back to Dollywaggon.

High and mighty Striding Edge.

On my own - the frozen summit of Helvellyn.

Fletcher looking pensive.

Follow the path...but which one?

The view across to Coniston.

...and closer up. Looks like Great Langdale and Coniston Water are beneath the clouds today.

Frozen Steel Fell to Harrison Stickle.

Thirlmere to Skiddaw from the descent.

Dollywaggon Pike

Height: 858 metres / 2815 feet Grid reference: NY 34629 13063 Category: The Eastern Fells

Grisedale from Dollywaggon Pike

A panoramic shot of Saint Sunday Crag and Fairfield

Dollywagon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn – plus of course Striding Edge – from the summit of Fairfield

Helvellyn

Walked on 05/12/2012

Start point: Wythburn (NY 324 136)

Wythburn – Birk Side – High Crag – Nethermost Pike – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike – Dollywaggon Pike – Wythburn

Distance: 5.8 miles Total Ascent: 924 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 06:40

Weather: Freezing, some cloud and a cold wind. 0ºC

I seem to be following a bit of a pattern here with heading out early, chasing the sunrise but I find it is well worth it. Today’s views were just jaw dropping with the sun lighting up the fells with some fabulous colours. The wind was very strong making it feel like a bit of an Arctic expedition at times and I was well layered up for this one.

Helvellyn Route Map

First light, the moon still high in the sky.

Climbing to High Crag, trying to make it in time for the sun coming over the horizon.

Made it, and well worth the effort it was too.

Big cornice lit up with a lovely pink hue by the early morning sun.

The Coniston fells.

Looking back to High Crag.

There was a strong, cold wind blowing up here as Casper and Dougal will tell you.

A jaw dropping sunrise, just fabulous.

A panoramic view from Nethermost Pike, select on the image to see a larger version.

Pink snow looking to Helvellyn from Nethermost Pike.

Catstycam and Striding Edge.

Cornice on Helvellyn and the climb to the cross shelter. Time to get the crampons on from here, there was snow on ice and it was quite treacherous in places.

My original intention was to drop down and cross Striding Edge, however I reckoned it would be a little tricky today especially with this wind so I gave it a miss.

It has calmed down a little now looking down on Striding Edge.

The view from Helvellyn. Select on the image to see a larger version.

A brand new white coat for Catstycam.

The cross shelter.

The summit of Helvellyn.

Spindrift on Helvellyn.

It was quite fierce at times!

Striding Edge from the summit.

Swirral Edge.

Swirral Edge to Catstycam.

Heading back across the summit plateau.

Snowbeard has a piece of my banana!

Having a quick coffee in the cross shelter Dougal decided he would become the King of Helvellyn. People often ask how Dougal and Casper manage in the snow but remember, they are fell bred and the fells are a Beardies home turf.

At the Gough Memorial.

Of course, I can't resist another view of Striding Edge!

A panoramic view of Striding Edge. Select on the image to see a larger version.

Blue skies now the sun is up but it still oh so cold.

The view to the west from Nethermost Pike.

Seat Sandal.

Grisedale, frozen Hard Tarn below.

Sun, shadows, cloud and cornice.

Fairfield.

The summit of Dollywaggon Pike.

A lovely, windblown view.

Great Gable to Pillar across Ullscarf.

Bowfell to the Scafells.

A panorama from Dollywaggon Pike. Select on the image to see a larger version.

From the descent of Dollywaggon Pike.

At the ruined sheepfold on the descent - I managed to lose the path here, I couldn't see it anywhere!

This will do though, Thirlmere and Skiddaw from the descent.

Grisedale Horseshoe

Walked on 12/10/2010

Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)

Patterdale – Hole-in-the-Wall – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike – High Crag – Dollywaggon Pike – Seat Sandal – Deepdale Hause – Saint Sunday Crag – Birks – Patterdale

Distance: 11 miles Total Ascent: 1419 metres Time Taken: 6 hours Start Time: 06:45

Weather: Sunny and clear. 13C

I was up early this morning to make the most of the expected good weather to come for the day. I wasn’t disappointed and it turned into a fantastic and memorable day on the fells with incredible clarity and an inversion over the Lake District as well. When I set off from Patterdale this morning (in the dark!), the temperature gauge was showing -1C but once the sun rose it was really warm and I ended up completing the walk in shirt sleeves.

Grisedale route map.

It was below freezing when I left Patterdale and pretty chilly climbing to the Hole-in-the-Wall, here looking back towards Patterdale with Ullswater under the early morning mist.

Sun rising but not visible here yet. That mist is following me up the valley below.

The sun rising over High Street.

All a-glow heading for the Hole-in-the-Wall.

Beautiful sunrise and the inversion has flooded into Grisedale.

Climbing the steep section of the path.

Looking to Birkhouse Moor from the Hole. All the low lying ground to the east is covered with mist.

Helvellyn and Catstycam at dawn.

A panoramic view.

Looking back from the climb to High Spying How.

Even the normally dull as ditchwater Great Mell Fell looks good today, taking on a special interest in the inversion.

The Mell Fells and Gowbarrow Fell rise from the mist, Sheffield Pike in the foreground.

The mighty Striding Edge.

Flat calm Red Tarn.

The view from High Spying How.

Crossing The Edge.

Red Tarn and Catstycam.

Panoramic Red Tarn.

Looking down on Striding Edge.

There is a big inversion to the south too looking over the cross shelter. In fact the whole Lake District is surrounded by the inversion.

The view from the summit of Helvellyn.

Dougal and Casper on the summit.

The 'Isle of Skiddaw', the Vale of Keswick is beneath the cloud somewhere.

A panoramic view of the Vale of Keswick.

Swirral Edge and Catstycam, the Pennines beyond Ullswater.

Cross Fell beyond Ullswater.

Looking into the bright sunshine from Helvellyn.

Looking to the south west from the path to Nethermost Pike. That distant fell (Black Combe), in solitary peeping out in the clouds intrigued me - I wonder what it would be like to be stood on the top of it? Actually, I have had a similar experience on Hard Knott with Connie (here) and you never know whether you will actually ever get above the cloud.

All clear over Bowfell, Scafell and Great Gable.

Striding Edge.

Misty Grisedale.

The view from Nethermost Pike.

Casper takes it easy heading for Dollywaggon Pike.

The Solway Firth is also under inversion between Robinson and Grasmoor to the north.

Dollywaggon Pike from the steep climb to Seat Sandal.

Thirlmere under cloud and Skiddaw from Seat Sandal.

The Vale of Grasmere.

Thirlmere

Saint Sunday Crag and Fairfield from the descent of Seat Sandal.

Seat Sandal from the start of the climb to Fairfield.

I took the path to Deepdale Hause which turned out to be a good one to get to Saint Sunday, well worth a go. It was cold along here though in the shade looking down on Grisedale Tarn.

Seat Sandal and Grisedale Tarn.

Fairfield and Cofa Pike from Deepdale Hause.

Dollywaggon Pike across Grisedale.

Looking west from the climb to Saint Sunday Crag.

The Helvellyn ridge.

The summit of Saint Sunday Crag.

Heading for Birks below, Place Fell beyond.

Dougal and Casper on Birks.

Looking back to Saint Sunday from Birks.

On the edge of heaven?

Ullswater panoramic.

Place Fell.

Striding Edge

Walked on 09/12/2008

Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)

Patterdale – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike – Dollywaggon Pike – Hause Gap – Fairfield – Cofa Pike – Saint Sunday Crag – Patterdale

Distance: 11 miles Total Ascent: 1410 metres Time Taken: 7 hours

Weather: Sunny spells, icy wind. 3ºC.

The snow has begun to thaw and it was all a bit dull and overcast when I set off from Patterdale this morning. Once up to the Hole-in-the-Wall though, there were regular sunny spells and the crossing of Striding Edge is a s fantastic as ever in winter conditions. I lengthened the walk by climbing to Fairfield after the Helvellyn ridge but the wind was mighty strong and cold up there and it made walking quite difficult at times. The days are pretty short at the moment and the descent was mirrored by the setting of the sun.

NOTE: This walk was done in winter conditions and it can be extremely hazardous up on Striding Edge in this weather. Just because I did it with my dog doesn’t mean to say you can. Please make sure you are properly equipped for the conditions.

It was all a bit overcast when I set off into Grisedale. Here the path to the Hole-in-the-Wall can be seen running diagonally right to left with the wall visible in the centre.

Looking to the head of Grisedale, Saint Sunday Crag to the left.

Clearing out a bit now looking back to Place Fell.

Climbing the path.

Dollywaggon Pike and Nethermost Pike under cloud.

At the Hole-in-the-Wall. The crampons were on by here.

Looking back to Birkhouse Moor and Ullswater.

Heading for Low Spying How.

Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstycam.

Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Low Spying How.

Who's the King of the Castle?

The first view of Striding Edge.

The cloud was constantly clearing then swirling back in on the climb.

There was quite a contrast with a lot less snow on the Far Eastern fells.

I caught up with group from Sheffield on the crossing of Striding Edge. They were much hardier than me as they had camped out at Red Tarn last night.

A tricky crossing over the icy rocks. Crampons and an ice axe were essential today. The Dixon memorial is to the right.

Further along Striding Edge.

These photos make it look clear but the mist was still swirling on and around us as we crossed.

Looking back, almost at The Chimney now.

The Chimney.

The climb to reach Helvellyn.

A misty Striding Edge from the climb.

That's a clearer view.

A great view of the full length of Striding Edge.

Here's a view looking down the climb to show conditions when the mist was down and the equipment required to get up here!

The Gough Memorial.

No view from the summit for us today.

Heading for Nethermost Pike.

A bit further along the ridge and the mist has cleared again.

Fairfield, Dollywaggon Pike and High Crag from Nethermost Pike.

A view to the west.

Heading for Dollywaggon Pike with Fairfield and Great Rigg in view with a glimpse of Windermere.

Dollywaggon Pike.

High Crag from Dollywaggon Pike.

The old post marks the start of the steep descent to Grisedale Tarn.

Snowbeard on the descent.

Saint Sunday Crag and Fairfield above Grisedale Tarn.

All clear over Fairfield.

Once at Hause Gap the wind really picked up and the climb to Fairfield was pretty tough. This view is through to the Coniston fells. This is where I took my crampons off too as they were more of a hindrance rather than a help.

Seat Sandal from the climb.

The Far Eastern fells from Fairfield.

Mushroom cloud over Helvellyn.

The Helvellyn ridge recently walked. Crampons back on again for the steep and icy descent to Cofa Pike.

Saint Sunday Crag from Cofa Pike.

Helvellyn and Striding Edge in sunshine.

Grisedale Tarn and the view to the west from Deepdale Hause. Crampons off again!

The moon rising over the eastern fells from Saint Sunday Crag.

Casper at the summit of Saint Sunday Crag.

Looking across to Helvellyn and Catstycam.

It was amazing how quickly the sun began to set with the clouds over Helvellyn already tinged with red.

Sunset on High Street.

The moon rising over Place Fell.

Striding Edge

Walked on 03/12/2007

Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)

Patterdale – Hole-in-the-Wall – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike – High Crag –Dol lywaggon Pike – Seat Sandal – Grisedale Tarn – Patterdale

Distance: 11 miles Total Ascent: 1170 metres Time Taken: 5 hours

Weather: All sorts, with snow on the tops. 6oC.

It was a bit wintry to say the least today. The climb up to and across Striding Edge was quite clear but with plenty of soft, fresh snow around. As soon as I hit the top of Helvellyn, the clouds came down and made the views non-existent. From then on, there was all sorts of weather – rain, sleet, snow, hail – you name it! Still, it was nice to get in the snow again. It certainly makes a change from the somewhat damper weather we have had recently.

Grisedale from Grisedale Beck. Looks like there is a bit of snow on Dollywagon Pike and Nethermost Pike.

Looking along Grisedale near the start of the climb, St. Sunday Crag up to the left.

The view from further up the path.

Looking back along the valley to Place Fell.

The climb to the Hole-in-the-Wall.

Birkhouse Moor from the Hole-in-the-Wall.

Catstycam and White Side from the start of the climb towards Striding Edge.

Are you ready for this climb?

Heading for Striding Edge and Helvellyn.

The retrospective view along Low Spying How to Birkhouse Moor and Ullswater. Place Fell seems to be getting a bit of sunshine.

Striding Edge and Helvellyn from High Spying How.

Red Tarn and Catstycam from Striding Edge.

Crossing Striding Edge.

Casper getting set for the crossing. There was a strong wind building across the Edge now.

From further along.

Casper leads the way across the sharp arête.

Looking back along Striding Edge.

The final part of the climb to Helvellyn - plenty of snow up there.

Sunburst over Fairfield.

Striding Edge from the climb to Helvellyn.

Casper - he's doing well the lad!

The Gough Memorial on Helvellyn, erected 1890.

Where did all this snow come from?

In the cloud on a white Helvellyn summit.

Frozen Helvellyn.

Out of the cloud descending from Helvellyn towards Nethermost Pike.

Striding Edge from Nethermost Pike.

A bleak looking Nethermost Pike summit.

Grisedale from Dollywagon Pike.

Seat Sandal from the old fence post below Dollywaggon Pike.

The steep descent down to Grisedale tarn and then straight up the other side for a similarly steep climb to Seat Sandal.

Fairfield and Great Rigg across Grisedale Tarn.

That was about it with clear weather, it was changing almost by the minute now. This is St. Sunday Crag and Fairfield from the descent of Seat Sandal with sleet and hail moving in.

A brief clearing of the weather for a view along Grisedale heading down to Patterdale. A couple of minutes earlier - and later - there were no views.

Falls in Ruthwaite Cove.

Plenty of water around today.

he head of Grisedale from the valley.

Helvellyn

Walked on 03/03/2006

Start point: Dunmail Raise (NY 329 111)

Dunmail Raise – Willie Wife Moor – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike – High Crag – Dollywaggon 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

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.

Striding Edge

Walked on 28/01/2005

Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)

Patterdale – Hole-in-the-Wall – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike (273) – High Crag (274) – Dollywaggon Pike (275) – Grisedale Tarn – Patterdale

Weather: Sunny at first, gradually becoming overcast. Cold, biting wind on the tops.

As it is StridingEdge ‘s first birthday on Monday, what could be a more fitting walk than an ascent of Helvellyn across Striding Edge. The day promised to be clear but by the time I reached Helvellyn across a deserted Striding Edge, the cloud and cold wind arrived. Still, it was a very enjoyable round…

Striding Edge route map.

Elevation profile of the route. Key: HitW=Hole-in-the-Wall, SE=Striding Edge, H=Helvellyn, NP=Nethermost Pike, HC=High Crag, DP=Dollywagon Pike, GT=Grisedale Tarn.

3D image of the walk route.

Looking to the head of Grisedale at the beginning of the ascent.

Birkhouse Moor from the Hole-in-the-Wall.

Catstycam.

Helvellyn with Swirral Edge to the right.

Helvellyn from the start of Striding Edge.

Striding Edge from the ascent of Helvellyn.

The steep ascent up the face of Helvellyn.

A bitterly cold Helvellyn summit. The wind was so strong here that I could hardly stand up.

Looking west on the descent from Helvellyn - annotated.

Looking west on the descent from Helvellyn. See below for an annotated version of this photo.

Striding Edge from Nethermost Pike.

Looking along Grisedale to Ullswater and Place Fell from High Crag.

High Crag, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn from Dollywagon Pike.

Grisedale Tarn.

Wordsworth's Brothers Parting stone lies below the outlet of Grisedale Tarn. It is a memorial to his brother John, this being the place they last saw each other and parted on September 29th 1800. The inscription: 'Here did we stop; and here looked round While each into himself descends, For that last thought of parting Friends That is not to be found. ... Brother and friend, if verse of mine Have power to make thy virtues known, Here let a monumental Stone Stand--sacred as a Shrine.'

Helvellyn

Walked on 07/11/2003

Patterdale – Birkhouse Moor (140) – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike (141) – Dollywaggon Pike (142) – Seat Sandal (143) Fairfield – Cofa Pike – Saint Sunday Crag – Birks – Patterdale