214 HELVELLYN. 



Some sturdy climbers go on to Grisedale Tarn, 

 and climb the mountain from its head : 

 hIItTl™. *>ut ^ is best to take the road to Red 

 Tarn, either by Grisedale or Glen- 

 ridding, — the next turn from Patterdale. It is 

 possible to go on ponies to within half-an -hour's 

 walk of the summit. Red Tarn lies 600 feet 

 immediately below the highest point, parted off 

 from Grisedale by the rocky ridge of Striding 

 Edge, and surmounted in the opposite 

 6wXl G E dge. direction by the similar ridge of Swirrel 

 Edge. This last is the ridge along 

 which the track lies, the conical head of Catche- 

 decam being its termination. This part of the 

 ascent is that which is most trying to unaccus- 

 tomed nerves, though there is no real danger. It 

 was in trying the other ridge, (which it is always 

 fool-hardy to do,) that Charles Gough fell from the 

 precipice, where his corpse was watched b}^ his dog 

 for two months, till it was found. Every one 

 knows the story, as told by Wordsworth and Scott. 

 There are stakes near the tarn where horses are 

 fastened, and then there is a steep scramble to 

 the top. 



There are precipices on the east of the summit ; 

 but its mossy plain slopes gently towards the west. 

 No mountain in the district is, we 

 believe, so often climbed. Its central 

 situation renders the view attractive on every 

 account ; it is very conspicuous ; and it is not 

 difficult of ascent. According to the Ordnance 

 surveyors, its height is 3,055 feet above the level 

 of the sea ; that is, 33 feet higher than Skiddaw, 

 and rather more than 100 feet lower than Scawfell 



