Helvellyn and Blencathra

[Amarillo]

I had a weekend away in the Lake District with my youngest, Jack (7). On Saturday we scrambled up Helvellyn via Striding Edge and down via Swirral Edge. This was Jack’s first scramble and he took to it like a duck takes to water.

The slog to the base of Helvellyn. Striding Edge to the left, Swirral Edge to the right.

The view along Striding Edge

The scramble along Striding Edge

Looking back along the ridge.

Summit photo.

Back down at the lake.

On Sunday, still stiff from Helvellyn we decided to walk up Blencathra before the long drive home. We took the simple route from Bleath Road instead of another scramble.

Rewarded with hula hoops at the summit.

Amarillo was required for a car boot sale over the weekend, so we travelled in our Skoda Citigo and stayed in the youth hostel. Happily we managed 65 mpg in the little car, but my back ached by the end of each drive.

 

[Gavin123]

Great effort and blue sky!!!

 

[westfalia]

Done that years ago, did you find my banana skin that I threw away
Those were the days.

 

[Amarillo]

Done that years ago, did you find my banana skin that I threw away
Those were the days.

Jack tried to leave his banana skin behind. I showed him one tucked between rocks that looked like it had been there for years. “That is why we need to take it home,” I told him.

Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos, pick nothing but your nose, break nothing but wind is our code.

 

[The Blue Merle]

I had a weekend away in the Lake District with my youngest, Jack (7). On Saturday we scrambled up Helvellyn via Striding Edge and down via Swirral Edge. This was Jack’s first scramble and he took to it like a duck takes to water.

The slog to the base of Helvellyn. Striding Edge to the left, Swirral Edge to the right.

The view along Striding Edge

The scramble along Striding Edge

Looking back along the ridge.

Summit photo.

Back down at the lake.

On Sunday, still stiff from Helvellyn we decided to walk up Blencathra before the long drive home. We took the simple route from Bleath Road instead of another scramble.

Rewarded with hula hoops at the summit.

Amarillo was required for a car boot sale over the weekend, so we travelled in our Skoda Citigo and stayed in the youth hostel. Happily we managed 65 mpg in the little car, but my back ached by the end of each drive.

Wow looks like you had fab weather and you finally got to do it with him.
I spent my birthday (couple of weeks back) going up snowdon with my daughter (not so little 29) but was pretty much her first proper mountain.
Yep terrible dad me!

 

[Amarillo]

Wow looks like you had fab weather and you finally got to do it with him.
I spent my birthday (couple of weeks back) going up snowdon with my daughter (not so little 29) but was pretty much her first proper mountain.
Yep terrible dad me!

This is my list in order:
Cadair Idris - Ben only
Pen y Fan - Ben only
Ingleborough - Ben only
Pen y Ghent - Ben only
Helvellyn - Ben only
Cadair Idris - Jack only
Snowdon - both boys
Helvellyn - Jack only
Blencathra - Jack only

But so much more to do…

I want to camp out on Dartmoor. Both boys want to climb Ben Nevis.

I think camping out comes next…

 

[Melanie Day]

We are looking to do Helvellin with our 7 year old pretty soon but would like to camp nearby - is the quiet site the closest or any others??

Longish walk from Leck up Ease Gill and back round - he loved the climbing aspect up the dry waterfalls in the Gill.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

 

[Amarillo]

We are looking to do Helvellin with our 7 year old pretty soon but would like to camp nearby - is the quiet site the closest or any others??

Longish walk from Leck up Ease Gill and back round - he loved the climbing aspect up the dry waterfalls in the Gill. View attachment 93110

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

Gillside is probably the closest campsite if you are going up by Striding Edge.

 

[Melanie Day]

We went from granddad's in Ingleton so didn't need a campsite in the end.
Seven year old loved it a bit too much and wants more similar climbs!

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Amarillo]

We went from granddad's in Ingleton so didn't need a campsite in the end.
Seven year old loved it a bit too much and wants more similar climbs!View attachment 96592

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

We are planning to do Tryfan next Wednesday or Thursday. Then we will take the ferry to Ireland for the The Coomloughra Horseshoe weather permitting.

 

[Gàirnealair]

Threlkeld Hall Touring Site near Keswick in Cumbria

Threlkeld Hall is a new, family run, touring site in Cumbria welcoming caravans and motor homes.

www.threlkeldhalltouringsite.co.uk

You could try this place. Family farm, son runs an NCC approved workshop from premises. Fabulous location just off A66.

 

[Karlos]

Well done Jack.

 

[JaneJ]

@Amarillo This site might be of interest to your adventurous boys. Badges, pins, stickers and maps for the UK's popular hills, mountains, national parks and outdoor challenges.

https://adventurepatch.co.uk

 

[Melanie Day]

We have these badges for my boys camp blanket (beavers / cubs) !

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk