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| "There is some quality about Helvellyn which endears it to the memory of most people who have stood on it's breezy top." |
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A.W Wainwright
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The Thirlmere face of Helvellyn gives a good alternative in winter to the more technical eastern edges. The ridge south from Helvellyn over Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike is a fine ridge with spectacular views in all directions. This is a good chance to climb one of the four mountains over 3,000ft in England whilst getting a bit off the beaten track. |
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The western slopes of Helvellyn bear witness to historic mining activity. Helvellyn (or Wythburn) mine operated from 1839 until 1880, when the land was acquired for the Thirlmere reservoir scheme. Four levels can be found along the course of Mines Gill, from where lead was extracted. Despite the sizeable workings the venture was never a commercial success. The flat summit made the first British mountain-top landing of a plane possible, when John Leeming and Bert Hinkler successfully landed and took off again, in 1926. |
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We use this route during the winter months to avoid the Striding Edge ridge in bad weather conditions, although both routes can be privately booked all year. From Wythburn Church we will climb through the woods to the fell track climbing above Comb Crags to reach the summit of Helvellyn, this route gives wonderful views as we climb above Thirlmere. We will follow the fine ridge south from Helvellyn over the summits of Nethermost Pike, High Crag and Dollywaggon Pike before descending to Grisedale Tarn and the Raise Beck path down to Dunmail Raise and the track back to Wythburn Church. Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Equipment Required. |
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