Start point:Â Wythburn (NY 324 136)
Wythburn – High Crag – Nethermost Pike – Helvellyn – Helvellyn Lower Man – Swirls – Wythburn
Distance: 8.2 miles     Total Ascent: 1233 metres     Time Taken: 3 hours 20 minutes
Weather: Misty and murky, valley level. Clear above 700m. 3°C.
The conditions looked right for a temperature inversion today, so I was determined to get high enough to get above the cloud. Thankfully I did and was rewarded with splendid views across the low lying clouds.
The path through the forest from Wythburn.
Icy and misty on the way up - a bit grim.
Suddenly out of the mist into sunshine and blue sky.
Looking south from the path to High Crag.
Bow Fell and the Scafells.
Looking south into the sun from High Crag to Dollywagon Pike with Fairfield behind. Beyond is a sea of cloud.
The Coniston fells and Harrison Stickle with the Crinkle Crags behind.
The view from High Crag.
Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn.
Saint Sunday Crag across Grisedale, Hard Tarn below.
On the path to Helvellyn.
Striding Edge.
Catstycam.
The cirque of Helvellyn summit with Skiddaw beyond.
A panoramic view from Helvellyn - select on the image for a larger version.
Select on the image above to see a larger, annotated version.
Swiiral Edge, Catstycam, a frozen Red Tarn and Striding Edge.
Bow Fell.
Great Gable.
Not bothered about the view?
Approaching Helvellyn Lower Man.
White Side, Raise and the Dodd's.
Skiddaw.
Great Gable and Pillar.
Bow Fell, Esk Pike and the Scafells.
Descending from Helvellyn Lower Man.
Angus.
A fleeting Brocken Spectre in the centre distance (couldn't get a decent shot of it!).
Helvellyn Gill.
The cloud clears in the forest above Thirlmere.
Wythburn Church.