Striding Edge and Red Tarn, Helvellyn

Favourite Lakeland Walks

(Click on image to see a larger version in isolation)

September 4th 2005

This ascent is a perfect mountain excursion and another of my Top Ten walks. Its a day to remember for many years to come buy make sure that you pick a good day to do it on.
The walk starts in Glenridding where you make your way up a series of zig-zags onto Birkhouse Moor. Passing through the aptly named “hole in the wall” your forward path becomes clear.
Striding Edge is an arrete between Nethermost Cove to the south and Red Tarn to the north. In places there are significant drops on either side. You can either stay on the top of the ridge or, if you feel uncomfortable, drop down to a lower path and keep within your limits. The only tricky section is the bad step -a clamber down ten or fifteen feet with good hand holds. Having successfully negotiated Striding Edge the final ascent onto the top of Helvellyn is probably the trickiest section of the whole walk. A steep climb on badly eroded ground makes this a very uncomfortable ascent. Finally, you reach the summit and are rewarded with excellent views in every direction. But the most rewarding is looking back along the length of Striding Edge, which looks even more impressive from this elevated position.

Technical details

Canon EOS 20D, canon 24-85 lens, 1/60 sec @ f/10, ISO 100, no filter

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Favourite Lakeland Walks