Helvellyn (3118ft/950m Wainwright summit) – 2550ft/777m total ascent.
Approx 6 – 7 Miles, inc White Sides (2832 ft/863m Wainwright summit). Led by Richard
This is a steep ascent and descent which is not unexpected due to Helvellyn being the third highest mountain in the lakes.
The ascent path is safe and well defined and comprises of stone steps, gravel and grass. The descent is safe but a little more difficult: the path is well defined, it has no steps but it does have gravel and is stoney/ grassy banks with small ledges of rocky terrain (no climbing) one small part has a drop but is wide enough to be safe.
Once in sight of the road (still quite high) the path narrows and forms part of the slope down. It is rocky in parts so watch the ground but it’s not too difficult.
The walk takes in two Wainwrights, Helvellyn 3118ft and White Sides 2832 ft and includes Lower Man, with views on both the ascent and descent. Many of the lakeland fells can be seen as you walk over the summit together with the lakes of Windermere, Coniston, Ullswater, Bassenthwaite and Thirlmere. It is not an easy walk from start to finish but it is satisfying, worth the effort and the views are fantastic.
The walk will have time constraints to arrive back in time for the summer meal, so you will need to be a fairly good walker for this particular walk. The walk will also be weather dependent.
Led by Richard