Helvellyn

I got out on the hill today despite being a bit under the weather.  Coughs and colds and all that!!  Perhaps it time to get that new sleeping bag - it could keep me alive just a wee bit longer.  I am thinking about possibly insulating the land rover next time, just so I don't freeze to death.  People have been good, I've been offered floors and beds and cooked meals.  I have taken a few up on their offer, many thanks you charitable people!  Nights in youth hostles with 'middle age plastic bag rattlers' - no thanks!!

There's nothing better than waking up and opening the door, sitting on your roof with some hot oatmeal and hitting the trail.  Today it was Helvellyn.  And the drive around Thrilmere had to be done first.  My favourite view in the whole of the lakes.  I don't know why this Lake attracts me so much.  Maybe it's the steep banks, covered in pine, the islands floating in the middle, Wrythburn Forest and fells all around, the high road that runs on the western edge.  There is something about it that just makes me feel great when I rush by it in the car.

This morning it was covered in a still low lying fog.  The water was as still as a mirror and the snow was thawing on the ground all around.  Occasionally the fog cleared and I could see to the other side of the lake - beautiful.

I pack the crampons, axe, coffee, hat, gloves, map and compass and got my ass up the hill.  I was blowing a bit.  Still a bit ropey from the cold that I've had but I shot up the fell and was up on the Lower Man within an hour.  I dropped down Swirral Edge and circled Red Tarn before beasting up Striding Edge.  Get the crampons out! 

There was nobody around, the mountain was mine.  I carried on South to Nethermost Pike and then to Grisedale Tarn .  By this time I was totally knackered and stopped for some bread and jam.  At 2pm the cloud split and the sun came out for about 20 minutes, and the view was spectacular.

I dropped down into Wrythburn Forest and followed the fire track back to the car and curled up in my sleeping bag and fell right asleep!  Bushwacked and aching cuddling a hot water bottle!

Peace,

Dan