Hi All,

Today I had lunch with Alan Hinkes on Helvellyn! Well, to be more
accurate, I was having lunch at the summit shelter when Alan popped
up with a party of climbers. Read on.......

I parked at Dunmail Raise on a day which wasn't as good as forecast.
A bit grey and you couldn't see the higher fells. For a change I
decided not to climb alongside Raise Beck but to cross the beck and
climb over Reggle Knott and skirt Willie Wife Moor to meet the wall
which leads to the famous iron post (marked on the OS Map) near the
summit of Dollywaggon Pike. We met the snowline half way up the wall
and by the time we reached the Dollywaggon summit there was a cover
of about 4 inches of fresh snow above sheet ice. Crampons were
virtually essential for safety - the odd person didn't wear them but
moving around was tricky without them.

I have no idea whether I reached the summit cairn of Nethermost Pike -
there are so many to choose from in mist! The small tablet marking
the landing of an aircraft on Helvellyn summit told me that the
summit shelter was near and seconds later it (and a large crowd of
people) appeared out of the mist. I settled down to feed Polly and
myself and was on my second cup of hot chocolate when up popped Alan
Hinkes. His voice is fairly recognisable and I looked up and saw
the "Challenge 8000" logo on the arm of his jacket and knew it was
him. I presume he and his party had climbed Striding Edge and whilst
I continued with lunch he launched himself over the east face to
check out the route he and his party would use in descent. Straight
down as best I could see - I suppose to him it is small beer after
all he has done - but I was well impressed with it as a descent
route. Unfortunately it was on the wrong side of the mountain so I
didn't follow! ;-)

Instead we took the Wythburn path and I was able to take my crampons
off at the foot of the zig zags. Then down to the forest and up the
forest road and over Birkside Gill from where it was only a quarter
of a mile back to the car. A really enjoyable day IF you were
properly equipped. 4 hours of walking plus half an hours lunch. No
views once we reached the snow but the mist added a little atmosphere
to the traverse of the ridge.

A word on equipment: I wore crampons for virtually all the trip
above the snowline. I carried an ice axe but preferred to use the
walking poles in the conditions. In my sac I carried all the usual
stuff I take on walks plus: a 2 man (1 man 1dog!) bothy shelter, a
reflective survival sac, a head torch, ski goggles (not used), sun
glasses (not used), spare gloves and spare hat, two buffs, mobile
phone, first aid kit. High winter walking takes more planning but
your life could depend on it!

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/562104223Saktkw

John

PS - so pleased to hear Lorriane's good news - let's hope int
continues to be good.