From Helvellyn Summit

We wanted to make the most of the snowy tops, so setting off before it got light, we parked up at the north end of Thirlmere, and climbed up from there. Within a few hundred metres, we needed to put on our spikes, and about half a mile after that, we changed to full crampons. At times there was almost no visibility, high winds and temperatures on the top around -12 degrees, but when the cloud blew off the top, the views were spectacular.  The first extra is looking down from the summit onto striding edge, the main pic is looking from the summit towards Nethermost Pike and Dollywagen Pike.  Second extra is Deb at the summit shelter.


What really surprised me was the number of people trying to walk up Helvellyn without proper clothing or equipment. About half of the people I saw setting off had no spikes, I even saw a couple of ladies in light fashion puffa jackets, thin trousers and trainers setting off, they asked me how near the top they were (they'd gone about 400 metres) and if it was windy on top. After I questioned their clothing, and warned them of the summit conditions, they decided to go back. (At least one mountain rescue call prevented).