Scrambling in the Sun: Helvellyn Ghyll & Browncove Crags

Canoes, Mountains & Caves  spent a day in the sun exploring Helvellyn Ghyll & Browncove Crags. Much time has been spent in the past considering Helvellyn Ghyll and its options but Browncove Crags was a first today.

The weather was superb, touching 20 degC on return to the car, we entered the ghyll at the first proper footbridge after leaving Swirls car park & spent the next two hours progressing up the numerous cascades. At just about all times we were able to stay at the rock-water margin & we didn't get wet. The photos below give a feel of the challenges presented.

 

 

 

 

 

We left the ghyll, with still plenty left undone, to continue briefly along the tourist path as far as the end of the broken wall before heading off towards Browncove Crags. Scrambling routes on these crags are described in: "50 Best Scrambles in the lake District" by Bill O'Connor (a book I have cherished for many years) & in the Cicerone Guide: "Scrambles in the Lake District, North". Both guides describe route finding as "intricate". For our part we approached the main gulley via the lower scree slopes and "scrambled on sight" broadly up the right hand side of the gulley combining scrambles & traverses across the rock with steep climbs up the small grassy/rocky rakes before eventually reaching the top of the crags and continuing to Helvellyn Lower Man. We opted not to take in Helvellyn's summit, it was in cloud, preferring to stay in the sun for the day! By the way, there were some excellent views as well!