Helvellyn & Ullswater (Sept 24)

The last time I attempted Helvellyn it was two years ago, I was with Emma, and we were unable to reach the peak given the appalling conditions (ice, snow, gale force winds). We did the sensible thing and turned back about 400m from the summit. It’s been on my “must do” lists to return and climb ever since.

So when I saw the Lake District was experiencing some near perfect weather I jumped in the car and headed up. My plan was to do a circular route taking in Striding Edge (the iconic ridge) and Swirral Edge. The former is a grade 1 scramble with a few tricky bits. I wanted to try it out first before dragging Emma back up here 😝.

After a tyre blowout en-route, I arrived at the campsite later than planned, pitching my tent in the twilight.

The next morning I headed off to Glenridding to park my car and set off on the trek. Ullswater was looking fantastic with mist rising from the surface of the lake. It was the perfect start to a perfect day.

On the way up I bumped into a chap called Tino; we had both missed the first footpath to Striding Edge, so shared thoughts about the best route from where we were.

Six hours later we were still chatting, which was a little comforting given it was my first attempt at this loop. On reaching Red Tarn, the lake at the bottom of the horseshoe, we decided on the direct route “up”and then balanced our way to the summit via the ridge.

Tino is the same age as me, but after spending a day with him I can confidently say his legs/knees are in better shape than mine!

Conditions could not have been better, hardly a breath of wind, and more than warm enough for people to climb in t-shirts or even a few bare chested (the men that is…).

There was only one tricky (downward scramble) which looks worse than it is,

…and on reaching the summit it was pretty much empty, with views over the Irish Sea towards the Isle of Man, and numerous lakes in all directions.

For me, going down was a lot harder than the climb up (my knees ain’t what they used to be), but we made it back, parting company at the car park at Glenridding.

I was staying at the same campsite I used last year – conditions were awful then with floods everywhere, so it was nice to pitch in such dry and warm weather this time.

Ullswater

The next day I spent kayaking on Ullswater. It was pretty much empty this time of the year. Finding a place to launch can be a little difficult in the height of the summer, but in September there were plenty of spaces in most of the parking areas.