Striding Edge Helvellyn

The ridge of Striding Edge Helvellyn rises up from the depths of Grisedale

The circuit of Striding Edge Helvellyn and Swirral Edge – the ridges that cradle Red Tarn – is probably one of the most popular excursions in all of the English Lake District. For many visitors, the crossing of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge – with a visit to the summit of Helvellyn en route – is their first and probably only encounter with the joys and thrills of rock scrambling on one of Britain’s finest mountains.

Consequently the majority of pictures taken of Striding Edge Helvellyn are either from along the ridge looking towards the main bulk of the mountain, or from Helvellyn summit itself. Fine though these viewpoints are, they do not truly reveal either the stature of Helvellyn nor the character of Striding Edge. Some years ago I concluded an ascent of Eagle Ridge on the neighbouring Nethermost Pike by following the rim of the upper corries of Helvellyn all the way to its summit. En route, I discovered that, at one very precise spot, the ridge of Striding Edge could be seen in perfect profile. Its true character was majestically revealed rising up steeply from the great hollows of Grisedale and Nethermost Cove. From the same location, Red Tarn was also just visible across the tiny col between the end of Striding Edge and the buttress leading up to the summit of Helvellyn.