Helvellyn From Swirls car park

After all the lockdowns and getting older I decided to get fitter and start doing all the things I had been putting off. First on the list "climb a mountain" So here with my son Chris is how I got on. From Swirls car park was supposed to be the easy route but I found the steep climb very hard.

[@Therstrium]

Nicely done! What a beautiful day for that hike. Clear visibility, beautiful clouds and light.

[@nicholasmaycock267]

Done this route twice, first time came down same way, next time went down to Wythburn then followed dirt road back to Swirls.

[@rescyn1190]

Helvellyn from doing nowt is likely too much to bite off. Especially the older you get. I bet the climb down was brutal! Hope you weren't too broken the next day ;)
Still, you got a great day for it and there's not much you can't do in the Lakes if you can get up there. If you stick with it, invest in some walking poles and learn how to use them. Your knees will thank you.

[@SteveHollisandfamilyAdve-yv7kw]

Spot on with all your comment, coming down was hard and my legs were like jelly. Took about 4 days to recover and for the of the poles they were purchased ready for the next one along with some decent boots.

[@Campervan-82]

How long did it take to get up and back to the carpark as I'm planning on doing this route brill video

[@rescyn1190]

@@Campervan-82 Dunno if the link with show for you due to TH-cam security, but I've just knocked up a route in OS Maps and put it in another comment. 4.5 miles, 3hrs if a seasoned hiker, allow at least 5 if not (and for it being a lot harder than you expect if you've never done anything similar before).