This was a comparatively brief trip up Helvellyn. The night before a swathe of the UK had experienced freezing rain, this is a relatively unusual phenomenon where the rain freezes on hitting frozen ground. Whilst not in traditional winter conditions, Helvellyn was unbelievably icy. I had to put the crampons on before topping out Birkhouse Moor as the path was basically sheet ice all the way!
I set off in the dark and a little rain came in and cleared again as I made my way up the Miresbeck route from Glenridding.
It's always a special moment when Helvellyn comes into view
looking back from Birkhouse Moor summit
an icy path
incredible ice formations
onwards and upwards
Striding Edge
it's as if Mr Freeze had paid a recent visit
The traverse of Striding Edge was rather technical, a combination of exposed rock and sheet ice with minimal snow. It took so much longer than in Summer when the rock is dry and one doesn't have crampons on! Due to this and a period of initial faffing with crampons (I forgot to adjust them to fit my new winter boots) It took me a full four hours to top out...
the memorial was also totally iced
Sadly the summit had clagged out by the time I got there, this was OK though; really I was there to experience the conditions on this occasion.
From the summit, I made my way Southwards along the bridleway and down to Grisedale tarn.
the solitary post
Grisedale Tarn under a low ceiling of cloud
I had considered a trip up Saint Sunday Crag but decided against it as my weather window would soon draw to a close.
the route back along Grisedale
Eagle Crag soars over Grisedale
looking back again. the path becomes a road and civilisation draws near
Looking across Ullswater to Place Fell
Sure enough, the drizzle started coming in as I approached the car in Glenridding. An excellent day out.
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