The Tongue

Downs, Moorland in Westmorland Eden

England

The Tongue

Striding Edge from Swallow Scarth Descending from Nethermost Pike on the way to Helvellyn, the low point above Nethermost Cove is Swallow Scarth, offering a view ahead to the most exciting part of the day&#039;s walk, along Striding Edge. In winter conditions, a good head for heights needs to be supplemented with crampons, and whilst an ice-axe is good for balance, it&#039;s unlikely to stop a fall on shallow snow over rock, so don&#039;t fall off ! We recommend that you don&#039;t (as I did on a similar day in the same place, but travelling in the opposite direction) manage to stick the front points of one crampon into the trouser leg of the other foot, leaving oneself teetering on the very top of the edge with a climber&#039;s axe too short to reach the ground, pondering the best way out of the predicament. Good balance and a cool head are key. The day seen here was less fraught, but the cloud had rolled in from the west, and daylight was limited, so a headtorch was needed before reaching the car, even though, back in 1987, one was still allowed parking in Grisedale.

Note, although submitted as having been taken 1987-02-22, diary entries are a little sparse, and it might just conceivably have been February 15th (although I would have expected to be too hung over on that Sunday, following a caving club dinner the previous night). — Striding Edge from Swallow Scarth Credit: Andy Waddington

The Tongue is a geographical feature located in Westmorland, a county in the northwest region of England. It is situated amidst the picturesque landscape of the Westmorland Downs and Moorland. The Tongue is a prominent ridge that extends for approximately a mile in length, with its highest point reaching an elevation of 1,500 feet above sea level.

This natural formation offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including rolling hills, verdant valleys, and expansive moorland. The ridge itself is characterized by a narrow, elongated shape that tapers towards its southern end, resembling the shape of a tongue, hence its name.

The Tongue is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers looking to immerse themselves in the stunning rural scenery. Its elevated position allows visitors to enjoy sweeping vistas of the Westmorland countryside, with the Lake District National Park visible in the distance. The area is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including heather, grasses, and various bird species.

Access to The Tongue is facilitated by well-maintained footpaths that wind their way through the surrounding countryside. These paths offer visitors the opportunity to explore the region and discover its natural beauty at their own pace. Additionally, The Tongue serves as a starting point for longer hikes and trails that traverse the Westmorland Downs, allowing for further exploration of the area's natural wonders.

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The Tongue Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.509794/-3.0077529 or Grid Reference NY3413. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Striding Edge from Swallow Scarth

Descending from Nethermost Pike on the way to Helvellyn, the low point above Nethermost Cove is Swallow Scarth, offering a view ahead to the most exciting part of the day's walk, along Striding Edge. In winter conditions, a good head for heights needs to be supplemented with crampons, and whilst an ice-axe is good for balance, it's unlikely to stop a fall on shallow snow over rock, so don't fall off ! We recommend that you don't (as I did on a similar day in the same place, but travelling in the opposite direction) manage to stick the front points of one crampon into the trouser leg of the other foot, leaving oneself teetering on the very top of the edge with a climber's axe too short to reach the ground, pondering the best way out of the predicament. Good balance and a cool head are key. The day seen here was less fraught, but the cloud had rolled in from the west, and daylight was limited, so a headtorch was needed before reaching the car, even though, back in 1987, one was still allowed parking in Grisedale. Note, although submitted as having been taken 1987-02-22, diary entries are a little sparse, and it might just conceivably have been February 15th (although I would have expected to be too hung over on that Sunday, following a caving club dinner the previous night).

Andy Waddington

Contemplating the way on from Cofa Pike

Cofa Pike is a distinctly rough and rocky eminence, somewhat unnervingly loose if descending from Fairfield towards St. Sunday Crag. The dog is eyeing up the way on towards the next hill (as well she might, being a little unconfident as yet on scrambles, and unsure what is in store here). There's a very good scramble on the far end of St. Sunday Crag, but that was not our destination today, as we planned to drop into Deepdale via a path clearly shown on older maps, but which seems to have fallen into unpopularity in recent times. It is steep and loose at first, then boggy for much of its lower course, but has the great advantage from our point of view of actually leading back to our day's starting point near Brothers Water.

Andy Waddington