The Tongue, Dollywagon Pike

Interesting navigation and a dose of exposure makes The Tongue an ideal step up for walkers wanting to get onto the scrambling ladder.

The east-facing corries of the Helvellyn Range are renowned for their snow-holding qualities and, as a result, the crags and gullies of their headwalls see a lot of climbers in winter. In summer the reverse is the case; they are highly vegetated, dank and not attractive for climbing. As a consequence, in summer the only routes that see traffic are the crests of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge. It is understandable that people head for the famous ridges, but the corries to the south along the escarpment are also divided by fine ridges, and although not as rocky, they still offer high-quality routes. The Tongue divides Ruthwaite Cove from Cock Cove and, while it's surrounded by towering black cliffs on both sides, its crest offers a pleasantly accommodating approach that is more akin to a lofty path than an out-and-out scramble.

Dollywagon Pike 2 3 Skirt around the side of Spout Crag and ascend the steep open slope behind it to gain the crest of The Tongue. The broad crest is followed to a levelling at a shoulder. Above the shoulder, The Tongue narrows down with drops on both...

Looking down The Tongue off Dollywagon Pike.