Helvellyn Sunrise Walk - at the top
Helvellyn Sunrise Walk
Last week we had the pleasure to guiding Maxine and Joanne to the summit of Helvellyn. And this one was a little bit different with the plan being to arrive at the summit just in time for sunrise.
So an early start was needed and certainly for me the getting out of bed at around 4am didn’t feel too great if I’m honest. But sometimes a little pain is needed to make the gains, and today this was to be true.
We met up at around 5.15am at the Swirls lay-by just near The Kings Head pub. As expected, it was all pretty quiet, just a couple of vans overnighting, so we did our best to be quiet so as not to wake anyone.
The sisters were very well prepared and were ready to go straight away, so we just had a short chat about the route, conditions, and equipment, then set off.
The darkness can sometimes make a big ascent feel a little easier, it seems to make the world around us smaller and focus is just on the next few metres. I think it was a help on this morning, especially so around the steeper areas that can feel arduous for some.
Once at the top of Brown Cove Crags the terrain levels out considerably and a pleasant stride all the way to the summit can be enjoyed. Conditions were looking pretty ideal so far, as was our timing.
Amazingly we arrived at the summit cairn right on time to see a beautiful sunrise. Helvellyn is arguably the best place in the Lake District to enjoy the sunrise and none of us had any complaints about it today, it was sublime.
The inky waters of Red tarn were being beautifully framed by Striding and Swirral Edges and all was peaceful in the world. There was a chilly breeze and the summit wasn’t a place to be for too long this morning, so we took a few snaps and began our descent, now with the help of daylight.
The autumnal colours over Thirlmere were magical, adding so much to this already wonderful outing. As the day began to warm, we could slow the pace and fully appreciate where we were and drink in the gorgeousness of The Lake District in autumn. I can’t remember what time we arrived back at the roadside, but there was talk of being in time for breakfast, so likely around 9am. And we’d already summited the 3rd highest mountain in England. Not bad at all.
It was time to say farewell and I wished the sisters good luck in finding breakfast. For me, it was off to Langdale for a family climbing session that I had postponed earlier in the week due to poor weather.
I’ve had the good fortune to enjoy sunrise and sunsets on quite a few mountains. Some of the more memorable being: Red Screes, Wansfell Pike, Loughrigg Fell, Scafell Pike, Coniston Old Man. But Helvellyn gets my vote as the best of them.
Helvellyn Sunrise Walk - autumnal splendour
Now that British Summer Time has ended, it is the best time to enjoy a sunrise or sunset walk as the very early starts and finishes are not required and the cooler air has more Clarity.
Thanks to Maxine and Joanne for joining us on this and to you for reading
Mark
Looking towards Ullswater from Helvellyn