Q. I'm going to the lakes over Easter and I'm sure we'll be tackling some meaty walks. I'm hoping to do Skiddaw but as we're staying near Helvellyn I have a feeling that the words 'Striding' and 'Edge' will be mentioned... I'm not great with heights and all the pictures I've seen of this ridge look rather thin and precarious. Just how scary is it? Do you have to be a dyed in the wool mountaineer with several munros under your belt, or can a competent but not vastly experienced walker do it? I like to give things a go but don't want to over-reach myself.
A. Be in no doubt, Striding Edge - see Walks c213c220c264c269c427 - 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.
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.
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!
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.
A. I should have added the following to my previous comment. I have also been on two other "scary" edges. The first was Sharp Edge on Blencathra in 1972, in a howling gale. We actually descended Sharp Edge, and I remember it was very tricky, but we all survived unscathed. The other one was Crib Goch on Snowdon in 1985. This one was very enjoyable, and I was happier on this than on Kilnshaw chimney on Striding Edge (see my previous note). Two advantages were (1) the day was dry and virtually windless, and (2) we had an excellent and very patient leader who kept everybody together and made us have rests if anyone tired. That was one of the best walks I have ever done, also including Crib-y-Ddysgl and Yr Wyddfa summit, and then descending to Rhyd-Du.
A. I climbed up Helvellyn last summer. The route included walking along Striding Edge. I was going with an organised group. After looking at the pictures I phoned to ask if, as I was taking my dog with me, would it be suitable for a dog. I was told, yes, a dog would manage fine. Both the dog and myself found it fairly easy although I was told I would have to climb down about 5 minutes from the end because he would not manage the "pillarbox". My answer to your question is, unless it is a very wet or windy day, Striding Edge is not really too scary but provides a great sense of achievement.
A. In mid June of 2009, my son John and I tried to go down Striding Edge from Helvellyn, but failed.
It was a wet, windy day with wind gusts of 50-60 mph on the top of Helvellyn and we were carrying heavy packs. I could not find the courage to get closer than 5 feet from the edge.
My son actually started down what looked like a 1-2 foot wide path down off the flat top of Helvellyn. It looked like one would have to walk off a cliff to do it. With the wind easily moving the top of my body a foot or so in either direction as it shifted, something from the math side of my brain told me that I would be within 6 inches or so of losing my life.
We then tried Swirrall Edge where we witnessed a group of teenagers walk down with seeming ease.
However, about 10 meters down there is a passage that requires that you walk down a 45+ degree incline of wet rock about 1 foot from the edge with a several hundred meter drop if your feet slipped.
Again the math part of my brain said this is not wise.
We selected instead to take the long route down and hours later arrived at our destination.
I take my hat off to the brave souls that can do either ridge from the top down with heavy packs and 50-60 mph wind gusts on a wet or icy day. I am not one of them.
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