Raise, White Side, Helvellyn & Nethermost Pike - Monday 3 December 2018
Route
Stanah - Sticks Pass - Raise - White Side - Helvellyn Lower Man - Swirral Edge Cairn - Helvellyn - Nethermost Pike - Helvellyn - Browncove Crags - White Stones - Stanah
Parking
Stanah Village Hall (Donation) - Grid Reference NY 3184 1896 (Nearest Postcode is CA12 4TH)
Mileage
9.1 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout.
Weather
A bit of a mixed bag. Cold on the ridges and whilst the visibility was poor for the most part, we did get some decent breaks in the cloud cover.
Time Taken
6hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
3234ft (986m)
Wainwrights
4
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes (North Eastern Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge with Ian & Chester the Sprocker
Stanah - Sticks Pass - Raise - White Side - Helvellyn Lower Man - Swirral Edge Cairn - Helvellyn - Nethermost Pike - Helvellyn - Browncove Crags - White Stones - Stanah
Parking
Stanah Village Hall (Donation) - Grid Reference NY 3184 1896 (Nearest Postcode is CA12 4TH)
Mileage
9.1 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout.
Weather
A bit of a mixed bag. Cold on the ridges and whilst the visibility was poor for the most part, we did get some decent breaks in the cloud cover.
Time Taken
6hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
3234ft (986m)
Wainwrights
4
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes (North Eastern Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge with Ian & Chester the Sprocker
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GPX File
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Route Map
Near Stanah Farm the route crosses a ladder stile to join the Sticks Pass.
The Sticks Pass runs from near Legburthwaite in the west to the shores of Ullswater near Glenridding in the east. It is an ancient packhorse route which was used to cross the Helvellyn Range. A fence once ran along some of the route which served as a guide to the traveller, particularly in deep snow. In time the fence rotted and only the fence posts remained - the name "Sticks Pass" originates from when the wooden stakes or 'sticks' remained in situ and continued to serve as a guide until eventually disappearing.
The Sticks Pass runs from near Legburthwaite in the west to the shores of Ullswater near Glenridding in the east. It is an ancient packhorse route which was used to cross the Helvellyn Range. A fence once ran along some of the route which served as a guide to the traveller, particularly in deep snow. In time the fence rotted and only the fence posts remained - the name "Sticks Pass" originates from when the wooden stakes or 'sticks' remained in situ and continued to serve as a guide until eventually disappearing.
The lower waterfall of Stanah Gill
Looking back to Stanah & Legburthwaite from the ascent via Stanah Gill.
Great How is in the foreground with Raven Crag behind and The Benn to the right. In the far distance to the left is High Seat with Bleaberrry Fell to the right.
Great How is in the foreground with Raven Crag behind and The Benn to the right. In the far distance to the left is High Seat with Bleaberrry Fell to the right.
The unnamed rock outcrop on the lower western flank of Watson's Dodd - Stanah Gill runs behind the fence
Thirlmere & Fisher Place
Moody skies as we continue the ascent to the top of the Sticks Pass.
Bassenthwaite Lake can be seen in the far distance with the Skiddaw Range to its right. The lump in the middle of shot is Wren Crag & High Rigg with St John's in the Vale to the right.
Bassenthwaite Lake can be seen in the far distance with the Skiddaw Range to its right. The lump in the middle of shot is Wren Crag & High Rigg with St John's in the Vale to the right.
Continuing the ascent on what is a very good path up the fell side.
By now the weather was starting to close in a bit and we would be lucky if we would get any sort of view once we reached the top of the pass.
By now the weather was starting to close in a bit and we would be lucky if we would get any sort of view once we reached the top of the pass.
And so it proved - no views for us or the pooches from the summit of Raise
The summit of White Side - just a thick grey soup today
The summit of Helvellyn Lower Man
Not much of a view from the top of either Swirral or Striding Edge today - would the viz get better? Read on to find out!
Whey hey! Sometimes it pays to persevere.
When we arrived on Helvellyn's summit we pressed on over the top as we knew that a break in the cloud was about to happen and we would be going back that way anyway. This is a view of Striding Edge and High Spying How from just below the path to Nethermost Pike.
When we arrived on Helvellyn's summit we pressed on over the top as we knew that a break in the cloud was about to happen and we would be going back that way anyway. This is a view of Striding Edge and High Spying How from just below the path to Nethermost Pike.
Looking into the sun to Nethermost Pike
St Sunday Crag through the remains of the cloud
Approaching the northern cairn on Nethermost Pike
Angie, Ian & pooches on Nethermost Pike looking to Striding Edge
Nethermost Cove
Striding Edge in mono from Nethermost Pike
The summit of Nethermost Pike
The light and cloud formations when we arrived on the summit of Nethermost Pike were just superb
Back at Helvellyn looking to the summit cairn from the cross shelter.
The figure in the mist is the Helvellyn Fell Top Assessor who climbs the fell every day, usually between December & March in order to provide weather updates and data. The link to the Fell Top Assessors weather report can be found here - it is a useful tool to have, particularly in the winter months.
The figure in the mist is the Helvellyn Fell Top Assessor who climbs the fell every day, usually between December & March in order to provide weather updates and data. The link to the Fell Top Assessors weather report can be found here - it is a useful tool to have, particularly in the winter months.
Looking to Helvellyn's summit cairn from near the Trig Point
As is tradition
Helvellyn's summit ridge
Descending back to Stanah via the White Stones route.
Definitely a game of two halves today with regard to the weather - AM poor, PM superb. That's fell walking!
Definitely a game of two halves today with regard to the weather - AM poor, PM superb. That's fell walking!