Helvellyn in The Snow
by Martin Stace
Friday
Derwent Water Youth Hostel
As cold weather and snow had been forecast I decided that it would be a good idea to book a youth hostel instead of the only other alterative, camping. On Friday night we met up in a pub just down from Derwent Water Youth Hostel to plan Saturday's route up Helvellyn. After several pints and a good meal we set off back to the hostel to sleep.
Saturday
We were sharing a large room with a group on a winter skills course. Unfortunately the course didn't seem to include hut etiquette as they woke us up before 7.00am packing their kit.
After a full English breakfast at the hostel we set off for Helvellyn. Starting from a car park in the woods surrounding Lake Thirlmere we walked north to the end of Highpark Wood. By this time the weather had improved and the rain and mist on the mountains was starting to lift. As we exited the wood we joined a main path heading east for Helvellyn.
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Unlike the approach from Patterdale the climb up from Thirlmere is direct and steep and after only a few hundred yards the group began to break-up and stretch out.
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As we gained altitude the temperature dropped and the prospect of a walk in snow was looking possible. As we reached Browncove Crags two thirds of the way up the mountain, snow began to cover the ground and as we reached the first peak on the ridge, Lower Man, there was a good two to three inches of snow cover. We continued up to the summit of Helvellyn as wet sticky snow fell more heavily. We reached the summit covered in thick cloud and driving snow and only stayed for a couple of photo's.
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Staying on the ridge we walked south to the shelter level with Striding Edge where we stopped for lunch and a chat with the local mountain rescue who had been out on the hills conducting weather surveys with his search and rescue dog. We continued along the ridge walking in ever deepening snow and completing the demanding peaks of 'Nethermost' and 'Dollywaggon Pike'. Completing the final Pike we dropped down out of the snow to Grisedale Tarn and made our way back to the road and after a short walk through the forest arrived back at the car park.
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Sunday
Dave Jackson had suggested a much easier day for Sunday taking in Napes Needle. Parking at the farm at Seathwaite we made our way south west up the valley past Taylor Gill Force Waterfall and Styhead Tarn to Sty Head where we turned north east along a loose rocky path heading towards Napes Needle.
Napes Needle in summer
Napes Needle is a short grade 2 scramble in the summer but in winter with spitting snow and greasy green rock it feels a lot harder. To climb the needle you scramble up the back passing between the rock face and the needle itself. Standing at the base of the scramble the climb looked easy so I started up and after only a few minutes I reached the top and looked down the other side. Surprisingly at the top there were two climbers racking up to attempt a V Diff that started at the top of our climb. In summer the climb down the needle would have been easy but with falling snow a climb down without a rope seemed like a bad idea. Luckily Dave had been sensible enough to bring a rope with him so I sat down and had a chat with the climbers who by this time were having second thoughts about the route they had chosen. Dave reached the top and set the rope up and we all abseiled down. Not surprisingly the two cold climbers gave up the idea of a V Diff in the snow and also abseiled down. After a sandwich or two we carried on around to Great Gable.
Climbing Great Gable we again walked into the snow and the temperature fell dramatically. Regrouping we headed down off the top in thick cloud cover to Windy Gap and completed the last peak, Green Gable. A pleasant walk took us back across Gillercomb and down the path at Seathwaite Slabs that finished the walk and a great weekend.