Articles
Helvellyn via Striding Edge
30/07/2024
See also Gallery marked Lake District
Helvellyn via Striding Edge
The week after Easter 2002 saw us visit the Lake District with some friends to tick off the challenge of climbing Helvellyn via the notorious Striding Edge.
When needed Tourist information offices offer excellent services; they managed to find us Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Glenridding, base camp for the ascent. This was for eight people, in one establishment, for three nights and at no additional cost to us. They also provided the latest weather information which helped in the decision as to which day to make the ascent. Instead of climbing the mountain Lesley and Diana chose to do their own thing; common sense and a gentler 6 mile lakeside walk taking precedence over the challenges of the great outdoors. This left, in addition to myself, Frank, Ken, Maureen, Terri and Margaret to make the ascent.
After Scafell and Scafell Pike, Helvellyn is the next highest mountain in England. At 3,117 feet by no means the highest mountain I’ve climbed but of course it’s the route up that provides the challenge. As we left Glenridding the path took a steep climb, initially following Mires beck. As we climbed we could look back with excellent views over Glenridding and beyond the full length of Ullswater. After about 2 miles we reached the
summit of Birkhouse Moor, at 2356 feet a large proportion of the height had been gained and the Helvellyn ridge, still 2 miles away, now in view, the summit highlighted by a line of snow just below the summit ridge. After following an ancient wall for about another half mile we came to a point known as the “Hole in the wall”, a crossing point of paths and the full glory of the Helvellyn vista was now laid out in front of us. Directly in front and in the centre of the ridge was the Helvellyn summit; at the base of the cliff face was Red Tarn; to our left Striding Edge; and to our right the somewhat less daunting Swirral Edge.
Access on to Striding Edge is via the ”Pinnacle” a large chunk of rock which had to be scrambled up before scrambling down the other side and on to the Edge. Running along the top of the Edge is a narrow rocky path about 2 feet wide with long drops on either side; although not sheer there is nothing to stop anybody from reaching the bottom should they be blown off, this route is therefore a definite no no in adverse weather conditions. There is, however, a path running just below the top for the more feint hearted with only a single sided drop. At the end of the Edge is another short rocky descent before the final strike for the summit; this was a steep rocky scramble, loose in places and capable of sending any careless climber tumbling hundreds of feet to the bottom.
We finally scrambled past the clinging snow drifts and onto summit plateau, it was here that we experienced the full force of the strong North Easterly wind. Wanting to savour our achievement we decided to tally awhile and eat our packed lunch in the protection of the stone wall wind break shelter, it’s a pity the sheltered side was occupied. After claiming sovereignty for Hertfordshire and Essex it was time to make the descent, this was via Swirral Edge, on the other side of the ridge to Striding Edge, enabling a circular trek around the top. There was initially a rocky scramble down to the edge but without the inherent dangers experienced during the ascent. The path took us over Red Tarn beck, the overflow to Red Tarn, before arriving once more at the “Hole in the wall”. Here we took a final glance back at the mountain before the final descent back to Glenridding and a welcome cup of tea. We saved the hard stuff for later.
Stafford Steed
The week after Easter 2002 saw us visit the Lake District with some friends to tick off the challenge of climbing Helvellyn via the notorious Striding Edge.
When needed Tourist information offices offer excellent services; they managed to find us Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Glenridding, base camp for the ascent. This was for eight people, in one establishment, for three nights and at no additional cost to us. They also provided the latest weather information which helped in the decision as to which day to make the ascent. Instead of climbing the mountain Lesley and Diana chose to do their own thing; common sense and a gentler 6 mile lakeside walk taking precedence over the challenges of the great outdoors. This left, in addition to myself, Frank, Ken, Maureen, Terri and Margaret to make the ascent.
After Scafell and Scafell Pike, Helvellyn is the next highest mountain in England. At 3,117 feet by no means the highest mountain I’ve climbed but of course it’s the route up that provides the challenge. As we left Glenridding the path took a steep climb, initially following Mires beck. As we climbed we could look back with excellent views over Glenridding and beyond the full length of Ullswater. After about 2 miles we reached the
summit of Birkhouse Moor, at 2356 feet a large proportion of the height had been gained and the Helvellyn ridge, still 2 miles away, now in view, the summit highlighted by a line of snow just below the summit ridge. After following an ancient wall for about another half mile we came to a point known as the “Hole in the wall”, a crossing point of paths and the full glory of the Helvellyn vista was now laid out in front of us. Directly in front and in the centre of the ridge was the Helvellyn summit; at the base of the cliff face was Red Tarn; to our left Striding Edge; and to our right the somewhat less daunting Swirral Edge.
Access on to Striding Edge is via the ”Pinnacle” a large chunk of rock which had to be scrambled up before scrambling down the other side and on to the Edge. Running along the top of the Edge is a narrow rocky path about 2 feet wide with long drops on either side; although not sheer there is nothing to stop anybody from reaching the bottom should they be blown off, this route is therefore a definite no no in adverse weather conditions. There is, however, a path running just below the top for the more feint hearted with only a single sided drop. At the end of the Edge is another short rocky descent before the final strike for the summit; this was a steep rocky scramble, loose in places and capable of sending any careless climber tumbling hundreds of feet to the bottom.
We finally scrambled past the clinging snow drifts and onto summit plateau, it was here that we experienced the full force of the strong North Easterly wind. Wanting to savour our achievement we decided to tally awhile and eat our packed lunch in the protection of the stone wall wind break shelter, it’s a pity the sheltered side was occupied. After claiming sovereignty for Hertfordshire and Essex it was time to make the descent, this was via Swirral Edge, on the other side of the ridge to Striding Edge, enabling a circular trek around the top. There was initially a rocky scramble down to the edge but without the inherent dangers experienced during the ascent. The path took us over Red Tarn beck, the overflow to Red Tarn, before arriving once more at the “Hole in the wall”. Here we took a final glance back at the mountain before the final descent back to Glenridding and a welcome cup of tea. We saved the hard stuff for later.
Stafford Steed