The main event on Day 3 in Ullswater. Cold and wet most of the way up. Didn't matter -- Striding Edge looked like Oxford Street at rush hour, there were so many people, so I descended from Hole in the Wall to Red Tarn, then up Swirral Edge, which was less crowded. The ridge and summit were covered in cloud, so thick at the top I almost walked by the summit cairn and Gough monument. Given the weather, I descended by a longer but gentler route via Whiteside and Glenridding Common. All in all, a fine Lakeland experience.
2017 Update: Returned to Helvellyn on May 30, 2017. Cloud encased the summit, winds gusting to 50 mph blasted sleet across Swirral Edge and other trails on the west side, and ill-prepared hikers were disoriented on the mountain and uncertain how to descend. It's not a mountain to fool with. I still haven't seen anything from the top except dense mist, and probably never will (the next day, I looked back across the valley to see Helvellyn bathed in sunshine. Of course -- I wasn't on it).
pvnisher - Jul 3, 2013 9:50 am Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2013
COld and fun.
Brown Cove Crag, right buttress, Scottish Grade III. Very, very cold. Good ice down lower, soft snow at top.
Seferix - Jan 25, 2013 1:25 pm Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2012
Superb Mountain
This was my sixth ascent of Helvellyn (third time over Striding Egde) and I was blessed with clear blue skies and a view distance of about 70 miles. Superb walking and an exciting scramble of the edges!
ClimbingBob100 - Jul 28, 2012 6:48 am Date Climbed: Mar 10, 2012
The First
Trip away in March with the boys staying at Brotherswater, Climbed Hellvelyn and discovered a Scrambling passion. Avid reader now of Hike and Trail and have just got back from an 2000+ asent in Crete, Greece.
Thank you Hellvelyn!!!!!!
AdamTurner - May 31, 2012 6:35 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2012
A fine late spring ascent
An ascent via Striding edge and descent via Swirral. A fab classic combo. We had cloudless skies and temperatures almost reaching 30c which proved for an exhausting desecent! A lovely mountain, I will be back!
rgg - May 29, 2012 1:06 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2012
A clear but stormy day on top
I had camped at Red Tarn and it had had been a stormy night. Not cold at all, and clear skies, fortunately, but the wind proved too strong for my tent. One of the poles snapped, and after I fixed it, it snapped in a different place. Being out of spare parts, I couldn't fix it again and my tent was now a bivvy bag, it's main purpose being to keep my stuff from getting blown away. As I tried to get some sleep, I hoped that the storm would ease, but I wasn't so sure about that. And if it didn't, I might have no other option than walk back down. I fell asleep in a less than cheerful mood.
The next morning it was still windy, but not nearly as much as during the height of the storm. It was a sunny day, and I saw quite a few people on Striding Edge. Great! It's on!
The scramble was easy, and while it was windy, there was no danger of being blown off the ridge. However, to my surprise, as soon as I got on the summit plateau, the storm was back again, and at times it was impossible to walk in a straight line!
After Helvellyn, I made my way south over lots of other fells, ending the day in Ambleside.
markhallam - May 28, 2012 1:06 am Date Climbed: May 27, 2012
On a perfect day
Part of a grand round that started with early start on Pinnacle Ridge, up St Sunday, over to Farfield, down to Grisedale Tarn (where a lovely Lady was taking an early morning dip - after the coldest May on record!) and finally to Helvellyn and down Striding Edge.
Trevers89 - Mar 14, 2012 7:48 pm Date Climbed: Mar 10, 2012
Striding Edge
Drove up to Leeds from London after work on the Friday night, got drunk, didn't sleep at all, cup of coffee then drove up to the Lakes on Saturday morning, destination Helvellyn. Crossed Striding Edge right along the top in howling winds which made a few step a bit precarious but added to the drama in a good way. No view from the summit whatsoever (typical British mountains!)
MountainDuck - Jan 4, 2012 6:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2010
Striding Edge - Bad Weather
Started off in bright sunshine on a hot sunny day. By the time I reached the top I was shivering in 3-layers, drenched & shielding my face from razor sharp pieces of sleet. Striding edge was gorgeous, although I was pretty scared that the strong winds would sweep me off the ridge. The scramble to the summit is fun, but there is usually a long line of fellow climbers doing this. Unfortunately I did not get a view at the top because visibility was down to almost zero, but I did enjoy the climb. I would advise all climbers to take a map & compass because I ended up getting lost due to the lack of visibility.
Jake - Oct 10, 2011 5:24 am Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2011
Bad weather
Ascent via Striding Edge, descent via Swirral Edge. Really bad weather, wind up to 60 miles per hour, vertical heavy rain, clouds. Didn't see too much :)
AndyWhaley - Jul 28, 2010 5:48 pm Date Climbed: May 23, 2009
Various
4 times so far, from either Striding Edge or Nethermost Pike.
IN all conditions Striding Edge and Swirrel are always a delight but my favourite route is the winter ascent of the gully from Red Tarn direct to the summit shelter.
Baarb - Jul 25, 2009 6:24 am Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2003
Misty-rious!
My first summit in the UK I think, went up Swirral Edge and down Striding Edge. Couldn't see much for the clouds but it made the craggy features all the more spooky. Hopefully will be back one day when the weather's better!
My first Lakeland fell, climbed on a perfect cool, overcast early spring day with two friends. Ascended via the Wythburn Route (due to public transport)- a lovely, prolonged ascent full of interest, topped off by having a lazy 2 hours idling on the summit. Despite the hype it really is a fine, magnificent mountain.
Andino - May 4, 2009 7:33 am Date Climbed: May 2, 2009
Grand day out !
Splendid day on the mountain. Sunny most of the day (lucky us !), yet cold wind at the top. Striding Edge on the way up and Swirrel Edge on the way.
Quite a lot of people but good atmosphere.
nicotouchestheskies - Dec 17, 2023 6:54 am Date Climbed: Feb 23, 2023
Helvellyn via Striding EdgeSummited on a cold February morning. Clear skies and lots of sunshine ! Had striding edge all to myself with very few people hiking that day.
Nashty6 - Aug 10, 2022 11:03 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2001
Summer JauntCracking summer climb, fantastic weather.
steved - Jun 24, 2017 10:11 am Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2016
From GlenriddingVia Striding edge including Lower Man (925 m), Nethermost Pike (891 m) and Dollywaggon Pike (858 m).
DrJonnie - May 25, 2016 9:06 am Date Climbed: May 16, 2016
First top of the weekWith Ken as guide from Patterdale, across Striding Edge, crowded at the summit shelter.
Ruvicha - Jul 29, 2015 4:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2015
Summit in the MistThe main event on Day 3 in Ullswater. Cold and wet most of the way up. Didn't matter -- Striding Edge looked like Oxford Street at rush hour, there were so many people, so I descended from Hole in the Wall to Red Tarn, then up Swirral Edge, which was less crowded. The ridge and summit were covered in cloud, so thick at the top I almost walked by the summit cairn and Gough monument. Given the weather, I descended by a longer but gentler route via Whiteside and Glenridding Common. All in all, a fine Lakeland experience.
2017 Update: Returned to Helvellyn on May 30, 2017. Cloud encased the summit, winds gusting to 50 mph blasted sleet across Swirral Edge and other trails on the west side, and ill-prepared hikers were disoriented on the mountain and uncertain how to descend. It's not a mountain to fool with. I still haven't seen anything from the top except dense mist, and probably never will (the next day, I looked back across the valley to see Helvellyn bathed in sunshine. Of course -- I wasn't on it).
pvnisher - Jul 3, 2013 9:50 am Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2013
COld and fun.Brown Cove Crag, right buttress, Scottish Grade III. Very, very cold. Good ice down lower, soft snow at top.
Seferix - Jan 25, 2013 1:25 pm Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2012
Superb MountainThis was my sixth ascent of Helvellyn (third time over Striding Egde) and I was blessed with clear blue skies and a view distance of about 70 miles. Superb walking and an exciting scramble of the edges!
ClimbingBob100 - Jul 28, 2012 6:48 am Date Climbed: Mar 10, 2012
The FirstTrip away in March with the boys staying at Brotherswater, Climbed Hellvelyn and discovered a Scrambling passion. Avid reader now of Hike and Trail and have just got back from an 2000+ asent in Crete, Greece.
Thank you Hellvelyn!!!!!!
AdamTurner - May 31, 2012 6:35 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2012
A fine late spring ascentAn ascent via Striding edge and descent via Swirral. A fab classic combo. We had cloudless skies and temperatures almost reaching 30c which proved for an exhausting desecent! A lovely mountain, I will be back!
rgg - May 29, 2012 1:06 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2012
A clear but stormy day on topI had camped at Red Tarn and it had had been a stormy night. Not cold at all, and clear skies, fortunately, but the wind proved too strong for my tent. One of the poles snapped, and after I fixed it, it snapped in a different place. Being out of spare parts, I couldn't fix it again and my tent was now a bivvy bag, it's main purpose being to keep my stuff from getting blown away. As I tried to get some sleep, I hoped that the storm would ease, but I wasn't so sure about that. And if it didn't, I might have no other option than walk back down. I fell asleep in a less than cheerful mood.
The next morning it was still windy, but not nearly as much as during the height of the storm. It was a sunny day, and I saw quite a few people on Striding Edge. Great! It's on!
The scramble was easy, and while it was windy, there was no danger of being blown off the ridge. However, to my surprise, as soon as I got on the summit plateau, the storm was back again, and at times it was impossible to walk in a straight line!
After Helvellyn, I made my way south over lots of other fells, ending the day in Ambleside.
markhallam - May 28, 2012 1:06 am Date Climbed: May 27, 2012
On a perfect dayPart of a grand round that started with early start on Pinnacle Ridge, up St Sunday, over to Farfield, down to Grisedale Tarn (where a lovely Lady was taking an early morning dip - after the coldest May on record!) and finally to Helvellyn and down Striding Edge.
Trevers89 - Mar 14, 2012 7:48 pm Date Climbed: Mar 10, 2012
Striding EdgeDrove up to Leeds from London after work on the Friday night, got drunk, didn't sleep at all, cup of coffee then drove up to the Lakes on Saturday morning, destination Helvellyn. Crossed Striding Edge right along the top in howling winds which made a few step a bit precarious but added to the drama in a good way. No view from the summit whatsoever (typical British mountains!)
MountainDuck - Jan 4, 2012 6:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2010
Striding Edge - Bad WeatherStarted off in bright sunshine on a hot sunny day. By the time I reached the top I was shivering in 3-layers, drenched & shielding my face from razor sharp pieces of sleet. Striding edge was gorgeous, although I was pretty scared that the strong winds would sweep me off the ridge. The scramble to the summit is fun, but there is usually a long line of fellow climbers doing this. Unfortunately I did not get a view at the top because visibility was down to almost zero, but I did enjoy the climb. I would advise all climbers to take a map & compass because I ended up getting lost due to the lack of visibility.
Jake - Oct 10, 2011 5:24 am Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2011
Bad weatherAscent via Striding Edge, descent via Swirral Edge. Really bad weather, wind up to 60 miles per hour, vertical heavy rain, clouds. Didn't see too much :)
AndyWhaley - Jul 28, 2010 5:48 pm Date Climbed: May 23, 2009
Various4 times so far, from either Striding Edge or Nethermost Pike.
Simnel - Mar 3, 2010 12:48 pm
lots of timesIN all conditions Striding Edge and Swirrel are always a delight but my favourite route is the winter ascent of the gully from Red Tarn direct to the summit shelter.
Baarb - Jul 25, 2009 6:24 am Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2003
Misty-rious!My first summit in the UK I think, went up Swirral Edge and down Striding Edge. Couldn't see much for the clouds but it made the craggy features all the more spooky. Hopefully will be back one day when the weather's better!
APennineMan - May 20, 2009 1:45 pm
A perfect introduction to LakelandMy first Lakeland fell, climbed on a perfect cool, overcast early spring day with two friends. Ascended via the Wythburn Route (due to public transport)- a lovely, prolonged ascent full of interest, topped off by having a lazy 2 hours idling on the summit. Despite the hype it really is a fine, magnificent mountain.
Andino - May 4, 2009 7:33 am Date Climbed: May 2, 2009
Grand day out !Splendid day on the mountain. Sunny most of the day (lucky us !), yet cold wind at the top. Striding Edge on the way up and Swirrel Edge on the way.
Quite a lot of people but good atmosphere.
A must-do if you visit the Lake District.
Dan Bailey - Sep 28, 2008 11:59 am
moreascents than I can possibly remember. Best in winter if red tarn face or nethermost is in nick