Grasmere to Swirls via Helvellyn (10.02.2008)

This was a rather straightforward but satisfyingly scenic route from Grasmere in a northerly direction. Since I had a bus to catch before midday, I left the youth hostel at about 7.30am, well on schedule, and made the route into a bit of a time trial by attempting to complete it in as fast a time as possible.

It basically follows the A591 northwards for a while until the foot of the valley starts that leads up to Grisedale Tarn from the south (and not the valley going up here from Dunmail Raise). From Grisedale Tarn it was a bit of hard slog up Dollywagon Pike with a heavy rucksack to carry, but after that there is very little more ascent to make to pass over both Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn. Great views all to myself at the summit, since I arrived there at about 9.30am on a Monday morning and it was still quite early to be seeing hikers around especially for a working day in winter time.

The descent continued in a northerly direction over Lower Man and down the obvious path to Swirls car park where the bus stop was next to. Great weather all day with crisp and cold conditions prevailing. A joy to be out in the Lakes again!