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.
![](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Screenshot-2018-12-05-at-15.27.56.png)
Helvellyn Map
![610_6445 610_6445](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2018-12-04/610_6445.jpg)
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.
![610_6470 610_6470](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2018-12-04/610_6470.jpg)
Despite the cold it was still a beautiful sight to witness and gave some interesting perspectives on the daybreak.
![610_6484 610_6484](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2018-12-04/610_6484.jpg)
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.