A great ascent in the Lake District needing care throughout the climb. This route was a great adrenaline rush route on summitting on top of the Hellvellyn plateau. The plateau is always wind swept and this day was no different - bitterly cold on the plateau as the wind was cutting in across from the West, we had to wear ski goggles on the plateau with the snow coming side ways at us. A first ascent of Gully 1 on this route. I lead this route throughout making all the decisions necessary. Using crampons and ice axes throughout the gully ascent. No need for rope although this was carried as rope lengths and tied off on my body. Navigation was necessary to identify the gully to at climb Red Tarn and also when arriving on the plateau to descend Swirral Edge. I had spent time prior to the trip planning our route and taking with me laminated pictures of the various gullies ascending the East face of Hellvelyn. At the rim to Hellvelyn plateau there was no cornice to cut through, usually the rim is corniced as the wind cuts in from the West and then over hangs the East face. The snow level was all the way back down to Glenridding with the road access to the Youth Hostel being very icy.
A great ascent in the Lake District needing care throughout the climb. This route was a great adrenaline rush route on summitting on top of the Hellvellyn plateau. The plateau is always wind swept and this day was no different - bitterly cold on the plateau as the wind was cutting in across from the West, we had to wear ski goggles on the plateau with the snow coming side ways at us. A first ascent of Gully 1 on this route. I lead this route throughout making all the decisions necessary. Using crampons and ice axes throughout the gully ascent. No need for rope although this was carried as rope lengths and tied off on my body. Navigation was necessary to identify the gully to at climb Red Tarn and also when arriving on the plateau to descend Swirral Edge. I had spent time prior to the trip planning our route and taking with me laminated pictures of the various gullies ascending the East face of Hellvelyn. At the rim to Hellvelyn plateau there was no cornice to cut through, usually the rim is corniced as the wind cuts in from the West and then over hangs the East face. The snow level was all the way back down to Glenridding with the road access to the Youth Hostel being very icy.
