Helvellyn from Red Tarn, flanked by Striding Edge (L) and Swirral Edge (R)
Date
29 August 2019
Location
Lake District, Cumbria
NY 34166 15161; 54.52741°N, 3.01874°W
Information
With an altitude of 950 m (3,117 ft), Helvellyn is the highest point of the eponymous mountain range lying between Thirlmere and Ullswater lakes in the Lake District. Helvellyn is the third highest mountain in England and its summit is managed by the John Muir Trust.
Further Reading
Helvellyn (Wikipedia)
Charles Gough (Wikipedia)
Thirlmere from Lower Man
Red Tarn from Helvellyn summit, with Ullswater in the background
Striding Edge
Trig point, summit plateau
From the cruciform shelter, summit plateau
Cairn, summit plateau, with Striding Edge to the left
Gough memorial, summit plateau. English Romantic artist Charles Gough (1784 – 1805) died on Helvellyn. His dog, Foxie, was found barking by his remains three months later. The inscription on the memorial reads:
The remains of Charles Gough
Killed by a fall from the rocks
His dog was still guarding the skeleton
Walter Scott describes the event in the poem
I climbed the dark brow of the mighty Helvellyn
Wordsworth records it in his lines on
Fidelity
Which conclude as follows
The dog which still was hovering nigh
Repeating the same timid cry
This dog had been through three months space
A dweller in that savage place
How nourished here through such long time
He knows who gave that love sublime
And gave that strength of feeling great
Above all human estimate
In memory of that love & strength of feeling
This stone is erected
FPC 1890 HDR
Red Tarn from Swirral Edge
Swirral Edge
Swirral Edge
Swirral Edge
Good dog! Wonder what he ate though….
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It’s master’s body apparently…
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I thought you might say that 🤢
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Wonderful photographs filled with light, height and space! The story of the dog is very touching – such faithfulness is incredible.
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Thanks, Anne. I was lucky to get a few breaks in the weather to get some shots – most of the hike was in the rain. The story of the dog reminds me of Greyfriar’s Bobby – I used to walk past the statue in Edinburgh to that little dog on a regular basis many years ago.
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A wonderful set of shots.
I’ve walked Helvellyn a few times but I have never taken any photographs!
These have bought back some great memories.
The first time I walked up via Red Tarn to Swirral Edge and remember reaching the top and the world suddenly opening out before me. It was the first walk I’d ever taken in the Lake District and it lives well in my memories. I also walked down via Striding Edge and at the end of the day I felt I’d done a proper walk!
Best wishes
Mr C 🙂
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Many thanks, Mr C. Glad these photos brought back some pleasant memories for you.
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Graham, these are so beautiful. I took a quick look at the Wiki entry and like knowing that Wordsworth and Coleridge both walked up there. The soft colors and misty look in most of these carries that wild feeling nicely. (I’d say the wild feeling is heightened by the story of Gough and his dog, too). The cairn photo is beautifully composed, and I like the character of the cairn itself: so many rocks, so tightly built. The second Red Tarn image is striking, and the repeating shapes in the last four images make me think you have a real affinity for this place. Rain notwithstanding, it must have been a fine day.
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Thanks so much for the thoughtful comments, Lynn!
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