Is Swirral edge easier than Striding Edge?
Swirral Edge is not as extreme as Striding Edge and is much easier to climb down. Keep right at the next junction of footpaths to start the return to Glenridding Car Park.
Can you do Helvellyn without Striding Edge?
This is Helvellyn the easy way, that is if a couple of hours of solid ascent on engineered paths can be described as easy! It does however avoid the scrambling experience of Striding Edge and Swirrel Edge which you encounter when ascending from the eastern side.
Is Helvellyn harder than blencathra?
Join us on a weekend where you’ll be guided over two of the Lake District’s most famous ridges. Striding Edge is a long ridge that leads up to Helvellyn, England’s third highest mountain. Sharp Edge is shorter but harder, a definite hands-on affair that leads to Blencathra, a famous peak in the north of the Lakes.
Is Helvellyn Striding Edge difficult?
The most technically difficult section of Striding Edge is the scrambly descent known as ‘The Chimney’, which sneakily ambushes walkers just below Helvellyn’s summit. “Down climbing is more difficult than ascending as people tend to feel the exposure more, and this is definitely the trickiest section of the scramble.”
Is there a path next to Striding Edge?
In the English Lakes ‘edge’ usually means exposed ridge. In Helvellyn’s case the two ‘edges’ are short rocky ridges – great fun for hikers looking for a bit of excitement. Fortunately, there is a bypass path along Striding Edge, therefore this walk can also be enjoyed by walkers without strong head for heights!
Should I climb Striding Edge?
Striding Edge is a classic Grade 1 scramble in the Lake District – and if you’re looking to make your first foray into scrambling territory then it’s the perfect place to start. “It takes in the summit of Helvellyn with a possible extension of the scramble onto Swirral Edge if you’re having a really great time.
Is there a path on Striding Edge?
Which is the best way to climb Catstye Cam?
Catstye Cam is normally climbed from Glenridding, either by its east or north west ridges. Both are steep, but there are no technical difficulties. A fair path also climbs via Red Tarn to the midpoint of Swirral Edge, from where a brief detour back to the summit can be made. By far the best option is a circular tour via Striding and Swirral Edges.
Which is the best way to climb Helvellyn?
There are many fine ways to climb Helvellyn but an ascent via Striding Edge has to be considered the most spectacular of all. This narrow ridge has a reputation of being scary and difficult.
Is there a way down from Helvellyn ridge?
At the end of the ridge there is a short down climb of around 7m which can be avoided by descending to the left a short way to a mid-level path, and then down an easier gully to the lower path. After climbing the last rocky tower there is a steep loose stony path to the top.
How tall is the Catstye Cam in miles?
Other guidebooks such as Collins Landranger and Birkett follow Wainwright with ‘Catstycam’, although the maps of the Ordnance Survey always use ‘Catstye Cam’. The Helvellyn range runs broadly north to south for about 7 miles, remaining above 2,000 ft (600 m) throughout its length.