Issue 15
Mt Helvellyn
Red tarn and Stridding ridge from Swirral Edge #3… Mt Hevellyn, Penrith (unprocessed nagative).
In the Spotlight
Nature is unpredictable, more so as seasons change. The morning I photographed Striding Edge from Swirral Edge the weather changed quickly from mild to 40 mph gusts of wind driving the rain horizontally across the valley.
My original plan was to hike up to Mt Helvellyn via Striding edge and shoot this image on the descent. By then the sun would, hopefully be a bit higher so that Red Tarn and the surrounding valley would be well lit.
I changed my mind when a gust picked me up and deposited me neatly next to the agitated waters of Red Tarn. I took this as a sign and opted instead to shoot images of Red Tarn from the surrounding foothills whilst hiking directly to the vantage point I had identified.
The gusts of wind blew my camera’s raincoat off almost immediately. The comedy of me hanging on to the tripod with one hand and catching the raincoat mid-flight with the other whilst being buffeted here and there must have been a spectacle to watch! Thankfully the weather-sealing on my tools held the elements at bay and I managed to get this shot – one of about ten made at different altitudes and focal distances.
I must do a lot of work on this series to see if they are salvageable as the ND filter was covered with rain and grit. They do tell an interesting story though. One of nature reminding me that I am a bit player on her canvas; of humility and knowing when to call it quits.
I chose to not summit Mt Helvellyn on that day. Being relatively small and carrying a large sail on my back – in the form of 40l backpack – suggested walking on an exposed edge would be a foolish undertaking.
Choosing your Spot
By far the best way to select a vantage point for a shot is word of mouth. I use local knowledge alongside a detailed topographical map and tools such as Google Earth, an ephemeris and a database of long-term weather patterns.
The latter helps a bit, but the reality often goes something like my hike up in Swirral Edge in early May. It’s best to be prepared and work with what nature offers you.
Best Times for this Shot
Spring and late autumn are probably the best time to photograph this popular peak and its surroundings, at the risk of foul weather derailing matters. However, the same weather makes for a more interesting landscape and acts as a deterrent to the queues that may form on Striding Edge during warmer weather.
That’s it – thanks for reading! As always, please feel free to hit reply and exchange your thoughts or to just say “hi”.