Helm Crag November 2010

15 members arrived on a quiet morning with a forecast of a deterioration in the weather during the afternoon to a  climb on the Helm Crag ridge. Parking on the main road above the Swan we set off up the steep northern slope to Bracken Hause. Good walking conditions and a break for coffee half way up made for an uneventful climb but the lowering clouds over Fairfield and a hint of cloud on Gibson Knott made us opt for Helm Crag  where we had our lunch with an impressive rainbow but only a little drizzle in the air. The views were interesting with lots of cloud banking up from the NE covering Helvellyn, Fairfield and all northern fells but leaving the southern aspect clear with quite a lot of sunshine.  After exploring  some of the rocks at the top (but not the NW crag!) we decended along the main path toward Grasmere. Sheltered and good views (although not the easiest decent on the ankles with paving and stones) got us back to the village just before the rain started.  A satisfying and enjoyable winter walk on a real little mountain at a relaxed (or for some a very relaxed) pace.  Text by John Ellison and photos by  Pauline Hyder and John.