“Striding Edge is the finest ridge there is in Lakeland, for walkers - it's traverse is always an exhilarating adventure in fair weather or foul, and it can be made easy or difficult according to choice”
A Wainwright
One of the most spectacular mountaineering routes in England, the Striding Edge ridge is rightly extremely popular and famous.
In all but the best weather conditions the ridge can be daunting to the inexperienced and should not be underestimated! With it's high levels of exposure this exciting ridge is bound to get your adrenaline pumping.
Why not let our experienced instructors guide you safely, making the most of the rocky ridge to the summit of Helvellyn.
During the summer months we also take on one of the major edges of the Lake District, Sharp Edge. With it's high levels of exposure the adrenaline will be pumping.
This is not a walk to be taken lightly it requires a guide or a good level of skill with many years experience to enjoy this ridge safely.
Many inexperienced walkers have been fooled into thinking they can make the edge walk and the local mountain rescue reports can tell you the outcome, we ourselves have had to guide strangers down to safety!
The views from the ridge are breathtaking this is definitely a walk you will be talking about for some time.
Sharp Edge is a classic edge, shorter but a little harder than Striding Edge. Why not let one of our experienced instructors guide you up this classic route in safety.
“Sharp Edge is a rising crest of naked rock, of sensational and sectacular appearance a breaking wave carved in stone”
A Wainwright
Blencathra & Sharp Edge
Similar to our Blencathra from Threlkeld route we climb directly to the summit of Blencathra via the wonderful Halls Fell ridge, but after a stop on the summit we then descend to the east, dropping down to Scales Tarn before re climbing along the famous Sharp Edge ridge, a short rocky arete with steep drops on either side, we make our way along this ridge to climb steeply at the far end over Foule Crag, this brings us back onto the summit ridge.
Our planned descent route is via the Doddick Fell Ridge, this descends alongside Halls Fell on a fine ridge with great views over the surrounding fells where a good path at the base takes us back to Threlkeld.
Obviously Sharp Edge is a very severe mountain route, and should not be attempted in bad weather, it is at our guides discretion whether we will undertake the ridge, and if not a suitable alternative will be offered.
Helvellyn & Striding Edge
One of the most spectacular walking routes in the Lake District, although not the longest it does involve a little exposure along the Striding Edge ridge.
From Glenridding we will climb the good paths to Lanty's Tarn.
From here we will follow the ridge onto Birkhouse Moor with wonderful views of the crags along Striding Edge and Helvellyn and down in the opposite direction over Ullswater to the Eden Valley.
The route now follows the ridge climbing onto Striding Edge where we will follow the sharp ridge until the final steep climb to the summit of Helvellyn.
From the summit we will descend over Swirral Edge to the summit of Catstycam where we will again have great views down to Ullswater and back across Red Tarn to Striding Edge.
A grassy descent from Catstycam will bring us down onto the main path to the old Greenside Mines and on to Glenridding.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Saturday:
Where to meet: Threlkeld
Postcode: CA12 4SQ
Grid Reference: NY 322 254
Directions
Threlkeld is just off the A66 main road between Keswick and Penrith, follow the signs into the village. We meet outside the Horse and Farrier Pub in the centre of the village, please do not park in the pub car parks, plenty of parking can be found a short distance in either direction from the pub.
Sunday:
Where to meet: Outside Glenridding TIC
Postcode: CA11 0PA
Grid Reference: NY 386 169
Directions
From the South Lakes: From the A591 between Ambleside and Windermere turn onto the A592. Follow this road over the Kirkstone Pass descending to Brothers Water. Continue on this road to the village of Glenridding. A car park will be found to the left in the centre of the village, park here (pay and display) we will meet outside the Tourist Information Centre on the car park.
From the North Lakes: From the A66 between Keswick and Penrith turn off onto the A592, near the Rheged Centre, signposted to Ullswater, follow this road south along the shore of Ullswater to the village of Glenridding. A car park will be seen on the right (pay and display), just after the garage, we will meet outside the Tourist Information Centre in the car park.
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Edges Weekend - Feedback Review by Sonya
An excellent weekend of guided walking, guides were professional, friendly and ever so helpful. We were in exceptionally good hands with all your guides.
Day 1 - Blencathra / Sharp Edge (Guide: Ross)
Ross was a very personable, engaging guide with broad experience. Ross inspired confidence to tackle the more fearful elements of the exposed rocky knife edge of Blencathra. He was extremely competent and had to make the sensible (but difficult) decision to abandon Sharp Edge due to inclement weather conditions.
Day 2 - Helwellyn (Guides: Paul, Joe)
A larger group today, so 2 guides. Joe was ever so agile on the mountains, moving up and down the group to make sure everyone was happy. He was very good at finding sheltered areas for the group to collect together, so that we didn't get unduly cold as rain came over the ridge. Both Joe and Paul were extremely competent and inspired confidence, taking us down the chimney in a step by step method. Both guides took time to explain the 3 point technique of scrambling and helped less confident individuals to locate the best handholds and footholds. Paul in a quiet unobtrusive way kept the group as a harmonious group, despite one walker being very much slower than the rest.
We will recommend your organisation and join LakeDistrictWalker another year.
Kind regards
Sonya (Posted on 20/06/2018)
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