26th Feb Brown Cove Crags and Helvellyn

A Fantastic Grade 1 Day Out

 Clear blue skies and only a cooling breeze as I approached Brown Cove Crags, and after an over night freeze the snow and ice were in superb condition.
The ice at the bottom of Central Gully was easy and after a few moves I was into the gully itself and a straight forward climb up into the sunshine.

I walked up to the summit of Helvellyn, and after looking into Red Tarn Cove I couldn't resist dropping down Swirrel Edge (still in full winter condition at the top) and wandering round to look at the crags up close.

The crags were in excellent condition and a few climbers were out enjoying what might be the last week of true winter conditions!    :-(

I passed under Viking Buttress and Gully No. 1 Buttress and settled for a climb up Gully No. 2 on lovely sticky ice and solid neve,  back up to the summit for a rest and take in the views across the mountains.

Striding Edge and St Sunday Crag

Brown Cove Crags, Central Gully

Brown Cove Crags, Central Gully and Broad Gully

Right and Left Parallel Gullys

Small ice pitch at the start of Central Gully

Down Central Gully

Catsty Cam

Near the top of Right Parallel Gully

Looking East from the summit of Brown Cove Crags

Red Tarn Cove, Gully No. 2 (centre) and Gully No 1 buttress (right)

Down Gully No. 2 to Red Tarn

Striding Edge