April Squares: Helvellyn

We’re still in 2005, but it’s now April and the scene has shifted to the Lake District. Here we are at the top of Helvellyn, the third highest point in England at 3117ft. I would definitely not hike up a mountain in those conditions now! I remember the mist came down as we descended, and I didn’t like it one little bit, though we look happy enough at the summit. I also remember that green jacket, but I have no recollection of possessing toning green trousers. What was I thinking?
Linked to Becky’s #SquareTops challenge.

Wow, you have certainly climbed alot of mountains. You put me to shame!
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Yes, but it’s mostly in the past!
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Wow Anabel,
What an adventure & in the snow.
The Lake District is only a short motorway drive from home but I am embarrassed to say, although having climbed Ben Nevis in 1995 with a friend, I have never climbed Helvellyn.
Perhaps another item for my bucket list.
Keep well ❤️🙏
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Thanks Margaret, you are lucky to live near the Lake District. I have never climbed Ben Nevis! Probably won’t now either.
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Hey, you were truly colour coordinating. I am just think about the heights, snow and slippery…nope.
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Yes, wasn’t too keen on the slippery!
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at least they would find you in the snow!!
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That’s true! I look quite conspicuous.
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That looks soooooo cold. I like hiking, but not in the winter. Glad you made it up and down okay.
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From what I can remember, the snow line was quite near the top, so most of it wasn’t like this. I probably wouldn’t have started out if it had been!
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Because we live in a place where it almost never snows and if it does it’s gone before it hits the ground, we are always very excited when we see snow on our travels. I love this photo! Even with the toning outfit. 🙂
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Snow looks beautiful – I’m less enamoured with having to walk in it or drive in it!
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I can understand that.
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MrB’s thoughts exactly . . . . I rather like it walking in it after it has just snowed the first time, then I am with you both!
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Yes, when it’s fresh and crunchy. As soon as it gets slippery it’s horrible.
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Exactly!
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Well done. That’s a big one for a semi winter ascent. Been up it a few times- always in a howling gale and bent double at the summit fighting the conditions.
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We were a bit luckier than that! But not much.
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Oh, Anabel- that sent a shiver! You do know it’s April? 🙂 🙂
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I do, and that photograph WAS April!
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You really are adventurous! I was once just starting to descend Schiehallion when a heavy haar came down. It was so difficult to see where I was going. I just had to focus on my own feet. I was glad I had my SOS kit with me that day – though I thankfully made it down without having to use it.
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We were more adventurous then, and even more so in the past. I shudder at some of the risks we took in our 20s. Much more staid now of course, even without this enforced grounding!
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It definitely looks frigid up there!
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Frigid – good way of putting it!
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Wow, in the snow!
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We were braver in those days!
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Weren’t we all?
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I love how John’s big grin never changes! He is one very smiley man. I don’t think I’d be smiling in that weather.
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I’m amazed I am!
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Stunning photo! (Also slightly terrifying summit, but that’s just my fear of heights)
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It’s nice and flat on the top!
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brrrrrrrrrrrrrr cold = not for me! 😉
Have a great weekend, and stay healthy,
Pit
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Thanks Pit, same to you and Mary! I wouldn’t be keen on that walk now.
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Lovely scenery. It is interesting to look back on our photos and notice hair cut, glasses and how we were dressed. Always an interesting exercise…(Suzanne)
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Thanks Suzanne – it is interesting to look back at how we looked some years ago. Here I noticed that I needed a haircut!
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I tried to fix your comment and inadvertently deleted the whole thing! An edit button would be good, it’s daft that we can’t fix our own mistakes. You said “ And today we all need a haircut… after this lockdown everyone will need a good cut“ and you are indeed correct!
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‘ere we go again – up a mountain to the top!. Love the shot and I love the green co-ordinated outfit, looks very cool against the snow. Would never guess 2005. I’ve got a friend who has climbed to the Base Camp in the Himalayas and has done Mont Blanc (I think that’s the one) so I’m really in awe of people like you and all mountaineers.
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Thanks Mari. I couldn’t do this now! I don’t think I’ve changed much since 2005, mainly because I was already grey (and had been for some time).
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Wow, you really are quite the trekker. 🙂
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Well – I was! Not now.
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I’m sure you still have it in you! If only we could get out!
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If only!
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Oooo, snow! I see nothing wrong with the green pants.🙂
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Well, I’m certainly colour coordinated if nothing else!
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The mighty Helvellyn in the snow! Which way did you go up?
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From Swirls. We went nowhere near Striding Edge! Or no nearer than you can see us there.
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Very wise 😉
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I thought so!
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Yes. After seeing your post I watched a film on Youtube of a young woman doing the horseshoe. https://youtu.be/eQK_pxa9D_s Glad I went up fromthe other side too last time I tackled Helvellyn (a couple of years ago). Mind you, I went up Stridinding Edge snd down Swirral Edge with a school party the day Princess Anne got married (we had a bank holiday granted, if you recall.)
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Wow, I watched that video! Heart in mouth stuff which I could never have done. Thanks for the link. I do remember that Bank Holiday, though I don’t think I did anything as exciting as that with it – my first hill walk would still be some years away. I was doing French A Level at the time and we were “encouraged” (forced) to subscribe to Paris Match. I remember a lesson dissecting its coverage of the wedding. Bizarre.
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Going up Helvellyn was a good way of taking our minds all that Royal nonsense!
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What, you mean you are not excited at Beatrice’s kind offer to lift our spirits with a humongous wedding next year? Shocked, I tell you.
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😂😂😂
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Hi Anabel – I’ve been there too … carried on my father’s back aged 6 months (more or less!)!! … that does look cold – and well we all tried to mix and match our clothes – as you say you look happy … take care – Hilary
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Wow! I don’t suppose you remember much about it then! I wouldn’t have minded being carried up, but John wasn’t willing …
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