c427
- is a thin and precarious knife-edge with steep drops on boths sides. Anyone attempting to walk along it must have a good head for heights and be sure footed.
See Photos of Striding Edge.
It is substantially more difficult in winter mist, snow and ice and should not be attempted under any circumstances without winter walking skills and all the appropriate equipment.
If you are in any doubt about whether it is for you or not - then don't let anyone talk you into it. A jelly-legged walker on Striding Edge too frightened to move is a danger to themselves and everyone else up there.
Why not simply take the alternative route detailed in walk
c213 Helvellyn from Glenridding
and meet the rest of your party on the summit of Helvellyn?
Hope this helps
Mike (Editor)
A. I've just returned from my trip and we didn't do Helvellyn at all, it was still quite snowy with the possibility of ice too - maybe another time. We did have a tremendous walk up Great Gable though, and I was proud of my scrambling up Sourmilk Gill and to the summit (past Windy Gap).
I think I'll build up gradually, and do the edge when I'm good and ready!
Rachel Simpson, York
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A. I have walked along Striding Edge 3 times, in August 1973, June 1974 and September 1981. Every time we did it the same way, from Glenridding to Helvellyn. All three days were dry but the second and third had some mist. I coped OK with the knife edge but did not like the descent between the edge and Helvellyn proper (I think this might be called Kilnshaw Chimney). I was told to climb down backwards, but don't like this as I do not balance well. On the third occasion I had an argument with the leader who lacked patience with people who were not as good as he was. I have not been on the edge since 1981, but have walked over the Dodds to Helvellyn on 2 occasions since, in 1986 and 1988. If the leaders (on the 1974 and 1981 occasions they were from Forest Side CHA Centre, Grasmere) could do the walk in the opposite direction, i.e. up the Chimney, I would probably be OK.
David Dawber, Lytham St Annes
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