For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

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We only had time for a short walk today and time would have been wasted by travelling any further north so our destination was The Helm. Part owned by the Lake District's premier charities The Friends of the Lake District this little hill is a delight to walk upon and a favourite for those with little ones.

Route.

Having left the car in a lay-by a short walk back down the A65 took us to the lane that runs below The Hem from where access is made.

The steepest part of the climb comes at the start but it is short and poses no problems.

After a short climb we leave the path opposite a small building which may have been a Victorian viewing station.

Gaining height the views southwards to Arnside Knott begin to open.

Looking towards Whitbarrow...

....and over Natland to the Kendal Scars with the Lakeland fells in the distance.

The final climb....over the wall to the right The Friends of the Lake District volunteers have been planting a new wood. For further information look.....HERE

Almost there!!

The summit views southwards to Arnside Knott...

....towards Hampsfell and Whitbarrow...

....over Natland to Scout Scar and Lakeland...

....over Kendal to the Eastern and Far Eastern fells.

....looking northwards along the ridge to Benson Knott with the Shap Fells and Whinfell Ridge behind.

To our right The Howgills peek over the hills near Killington.

The land we are on is common land with no access problems. However over the wall until 2007 was in private hands. The Friends of the Lake District bought part of the eastern side of the Helm, above Oxenholme  in 2007, to open up to public access and improve the landscape for nature conservation. It covers an area of around 83 acres.
 

Access point.

A look back as we walk down towards the small tarn.

We had noticed a sign saying that there were a number of fell ponies on the land along with a request not to feed them because this can cause aggressive behaviour.

Approaching the small tarn there were a few more...

....and one came up to see us much to Edith's delight.

Although it goes against all Edith's natural instincts there was no transfer of food just a pat and a friendly lick.

A look back as we make our way back up to the ridge.

Back on the ridge we carried on northwards for a while...

Looking towards Kendal.

Bowfell and the Langdales peek over Scout Scar.

The building below us is the Westmorland Hospital.

Having nearly descended to the lane we took a path leading back towards the summit again.

The last couple of times along here we returned along the lane but we had one of the granddaughters with us on those occasions.

We met up with a chap with 6 Border Terriers in tow. He was a breeder and 3 of them had appeared at Crufts and I had quite a chat with him.

Edith needless to say was in her glory and all the doggie biscuits were disposed of.

Just short of the summit and with this retrospective view we took a track down.

And finally....back to the car.

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Next Walk:       15th April 2012 - Lake District - School Knott and Brant Fell

Last Walk:       7th April 2012 - South Cumbria - A Sedgwick Saunter

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