timmus
A2OC Donor
About a month ago, myself and Tom (tagscuderia) decided to climb Helvellyn in the snow. This winter, the hills of the Lake District have been more Alpine than I've ever known them. It's not often that reaching the tops requires ice axes and crampons, but on this day, they were essential.
We left the car (Tom's beautiful Sprint Blue Storm) in Glenridding at 9am. The first few hours were fairly easy going, but once we were approaching Red Tarn, we were exposed to the 70mph winds. At first, it was our intention to ascend via Striding Edge, but the wind speed made that too dangerous, so we changed route and ascended instead via Swirral Edge. By choosing this route instead, we managed to stay out of the full force of the wind. Nevertheless, progress was very slow. Although it wasn't always snowing, the wind was picking up snow from the adjacent ridges and throwing it into our faces. During strong gusts, we simply had to hack in and lie against the face of the slope. I've never know the Lakes - a relatively benign area of mountains - to be this hostile to its guests! We reached the summit in time for a late lunch, though we didn't stop for long; it was -17°C.
Here is a selection of photos we took that day. Some were taken with my SLR, some with Tom's SLR and some with our phones. Tom and I met simply because we have a mutual appreciation of a small aluminium car, but it's nice that we now pursue other common interests together.
Just below Red Tarn, we stop for a quick bite to eat before the steep bits. Despite the deep freeze, Tom managed to put his foot in the only liquid water for miles, so a quick sock-drying session ensued.
And we're off again. No need for the axe and crampons yet, but they're hanging ready for action!
A quick breather to appreciate the view.
The wind picks up and the snow is coming in horizontally.
We reach the top and have our photo taken by another group training for an ascent of Mont Blanc.
Icicles have formed in my eyebrows and facial hair, giving me something of the polar explorer look.
The view from the top towards the Western Fells.
Snow cornices are made and destroyed by the wind.
We left the car (Tom's beautiful Sprint Blue Storm) in Glenridding at 9am. The first few hours were fairly easy going, but once we were approaching Red Tarn, we were exposed to the 70mph winds. At first, it was our intention to ascend via Striding Edge, but the wind speed made that too dangerous, so we changed route and ascended instead via Swirral Edge. By choosing this route instead, we managed to stay out of the full force of the wind. Nevertheless, progress was very slow. Although it wasn't always snowing, the wind was picking up snow from the adjacent ridges and throwing it into our faces. During strong gusts, we simply had to hack in and lie against the face of the slope. I've never know the Lakes - a relatively benign area of mountains - to be this hostile to its guests! We reached the summit in time for a late lunch, though we didn't stop for long; it was -17°C.
Here is a selection of photos we took that day. Some were taken with my SLR, some with Tom's SLR and some with our phones. Tom and I met simply because we have a mutual appreciation of a small aluminium car, but it's nice that we now pursue other common interests together.
Just below Red Tarn, we stop for a quick bite to eat before the steep bits. Despite the deep freeze, Tom managed to put his foot in the only liquid water for miles, so a quick sock-drying session ensued.
And we're off again. No need for the axe and crampons yet, but they're hanging ready for action!
A quick breather to appreciate the view.
The wind picks up and the snow is coming in horizontally.
We reach the top and have our photo taken by another group training for an ascent of Mont Blanc.
Icicles have formed in my eyebrows and facial hair, giving me something of the polar explorer look.
The view from the top towards the Western Fells.
Snow cornices are made and destroyed by the wind.
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