Is it safe to climb Helvellyn today and tomorrow?

Today on Helvellyn is rated Good and tomorrow Marginal, from the summit forecast. Summit forecast updated 19:10, 18 Oct. The reasons are below, followed by what the rating can't tell you.

Is it safe to climb Helvellyn today?

Good Today Sunday 18 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 22 mph, gusting 28 mph. That is under the Marginal line of 25 mph wind or 45 mph gusts.
• Rain: 0% chance of rain, about 0 mm in all.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 6% and humidity 82% at summit height. The forecast gives no cloud base height; the main peak page estimates one from the valley forecast.
• Temperature and wind chill: Up to 5°C at the summit, down to -3°C, feeling as cold as -6°C in the wind. Below freezing at the summit, so expect ice on rock and paths, especially early.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07: 10h 21m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 4h 40m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

Is it safe to climb Helvellyn tomorrow?

Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 35 mph, gusting 44 mph. That is past the Marginal line (wind 25 mph or gusts 45 mph): expect to be pushed about on ridges and the summit.
• Rain: 59% chance of rain, about 2 mm in all.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 69% and humidity 93% at summit height. The forecast gives no cloud base height; the main peak page estimates one from the valley forecast.
• Temperature and wind chill: Up to 7°C at the summit, down to 2°C, feeling as cold as -3°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05: 10h 17m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 4h 40m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

What the verdict covers, and what it doesn't

Peakify rates each day Good, Marginal or Poor from the forecast summit wind, gusts, chance of rain and wind chill. Wind of 40 mph or gusts of 65 mph make it Poor; wind of 25 mph, gusts of 45 mph, a 60% chance of rain or a feels-like temperature of -8°C or below make it Marginal. That is all it measures: the weather forecast at the summit.

It does not know your fitness or experience, whether you can navigate in cloud with a map and compass, or what you are carrying. It does not see the state of the path, river levels, snow and ice already on the ground, or how the forecast is changing during the day. A Good day can still go wrong if you start late, turn an ankle or lose the path in mist, and a Marginal day can be fine for an experienced party on the easiest route.

On any day, carry waterproofs, warm layers, a hat and gloves, food, water, a head torch and a charged phone, and know how you would navigate if the top is in cloud. Tell someone your route and when you expect to be down. In winter conditions you need an ice axe and crampons and the skill to use them, or a guide.

Route notes for Helvellyn

Wythburn

From Wythburn church car park. A pitched path climbs steep grassy slopes through the plantation and onto the broad ridge south of the summit. Graded Moderate: a hill path, rough or rocky in places, below the Hard and Scramble grades. In cloud, take care to stay on the path. About 2h 45m there and back by Naismith's rule (3.8 km one way, 760 m of ascent).

Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge

From Swirls car park, Thirlmere. A hard mountain walk to the summit from Swirls car park, Thirlmere. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground. About 2h 50m there and back by Naismith's rule (3.9 km one way, 740 m of ascent).

Glenridding via White Side and Keppel Cove walking paths

From Glenridding main car park. A hard mountain walk to the summit from Glenridding main car park. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground. About 4h 40m there and back by Naismith's rule (8.0 km one way, 870 m of ascent).

Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause

From Glenridding main car park. A hard mountain walk to the summit from Glenridding main car park. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground.

Glenridding via Striding Edge

From Glenridding village car park. A path climbs past Birkhouse Moor to the Hole-in-the-Wall, then follows the rocky crest of Striding Edge and up a steep rock step to the summit plateau. Graded Scramble: hands-on rock. Wind and wet rock make a scramble far more serious than its grade, so it is the first route to drop on a Marginal or Poor day. About 3h 55m there and back by Naismith's rule (6.5 km one way, 801 m of ascent).

Glenridding via Swirral Edge

From Glenridding village car park. You walk up to Red Tarn and climb Swirral Edge, a shorter rocky ridge with easier scrambling than Striding Edge. Graded Scramble: hands-on rock. Wind and wet rock make a scramble far more serious than its grade, so it is the first route to drop on a Marginal or Poor day. About 2h 55m there and back by Naismith's rule (4.5 km one way, 668 m of ascent).

Full distances, ascent and times are on the Helvellyn routes page.

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Mountain rescue teams in the UK are volunteers called out through the police. Give your location (a grid reference from a map or phone app if you can), what has happened, how many are in your group and your phone number, then keep the phone free. If you have no signal, try to move to higher ground or text 999; you need to have registered your phone with the emergencySMS service before for a text to work.

Questions about Helvellyn

Is it safe to climb Helvellyn today?

Today, Sunday 18 October: mainly clear, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -6°C, summit wind 22 mph gusting 28 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. The rating covers the summit weather only; your route, kit and experience matter as much.

Is it safe to climb Helvellyn tomorrow?

Tomorrow, Monday 19 October: light drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 44 mph, 59% chance of rain. Rated Marginal.

How does Peakify decide whether Helvellyn is safe to climb?

Peakify rates each day Good, Marginal or Poor from the forecast summit wind, gusts, chance of rain and wind chill. Wind of 40 mph or gusts of 65 mph make it Poor; wind of 25 mph, gusts of 45 mph, a 60% chance of rain or a feels-like temperature of -8°C or below make it Marginal. It does not judge your fitness, kit, navigation or the state of the path.

Who do I call in an emergency on Helvellyn?

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (a grid reference if you can), what happened and how many are in your group. Stay with the casualty and keep them warm.