Striding Edge - Actually difficult or just hype?

Worth the hype? Judge for yourself.
Helvellyn via the Striding Edge is one of those routes that came up EVERY TIME I opened social media.
People of all skill levels were telling epic tales of climbing the third-highest mountain in England via the Striding Edge. The hardest route to Helvellyn's summit.
So naturally, I absolutely had to see what all the fuss is about.
The route I chose was a horseshoe that starts from Red Tarn, a lake, and goes up Striding Edge to Helvellyn's summit and comes down Swirral Edge, another ridge.
As I was making my way along the ridge I overheard people's opinion of the route.
From excitement and joy to fear and dread, I heard it all.
My opinion?
It's worth the hype
My links:
►Instagram - / traintosumm .
.
►Website - www.traintosummit.com/

[@andrewgardener1668]

Stunning shots guys!! What a beaut walk

[@URBEATSs]

Another great video and beautiful views. Wishing Viv speedy recovery

[@TraintoSummit]

Thank you very much!

[@johngardener4536]

Great accomplishment to have done the edge of the edge!

[@maritagardener6199]

Really enjoyed the views from the top of the ridge. Well done 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@TraintoSummit]

Thanks 👍

[@cameliamariacristea4836]

Foarte fain traseul ales! Felicitări!❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@christophernewman5027]

That was great! Enjoyed it. We'll be up in the lakes at the end of September. Really want to have a crack at that route. Subbed. 😊

[@TraintoSummit]

You'll love it. I think September is a great month for it as well. Thanks for watching!

[@SimonBell78]

You make this look soooo easy! I suffer with really BAD vertigo. Cat Bells messed me up - seriously! 😆 I've done Helvellyn via the easy route, and Scafell Pike both challenged me a lot. I'd love to challenge myself with Striding Edge, for me personally, it would be an amazing achievement. Great video by the way!

[@davidmitchell1391]

I've been up Striding Edge a number of times. In good weather it's an exhilarating scramble. In bad weather, particularly when covered in snow and or ice, it's very challenging, and even worse when when going down it. TIGHT SPHINCTER CHAPS! 😄

[@SoupMagoosh]

It is challenging in places, but the main danger is when the weather is bad, when it's windy, and the rocks are wet, or if visibility is low. Striding edge has claimed lives but it's fine when the weather conditions are good.

[@cubanking1989]

Did this yesterday and it is such an achievement definitely challenging in places

[@TraintoSummit]

Great work! 🙌🏼 It's an amazing route

[@connor9209]

Sharp edge on Blencathra is good, very short but good. Also Jacks Rake is a good one. But the best by far is the climbers traverse on Great Gable. Highly recommend that one for the lakes. Let me know if you want details 😁

[@TraintoSummit]

Thanks for the comment, I'll check those out!

[@stueyre1406]

All good ones

[@user-qr1te9zl5d]

Great video.

[@TraintoSummit]

Thanks!

[@blueshadow3794]

That lake in the middle was beautiful, also, that poor skeleton riding dog 😢

[@TraintoSummit]

😂😂

[@Mountainsandmusic8011]

The lake is called Red Tarn. 👍

[@georgemorley1029]

When I did it in a group visibility was poor, it was you, the ridge and cloud. You couldn’t sense what you’d done until you came down out of it and the cloud lifted later.

[@TraintoSummit]

The conditions you're describing are the same we got on Ben Nevis, always luck of the draw😂. Thanks for watching!

[@tattygun81]

Me and a couple of friends did it a couple of weeks back in the exact same conditions. Just jaggered wet rock with abyss either side of it and no end in sight. Was honestly pretty scary at points especially at points when you completely lost the path

[@TraintoSummit]

Well done for doing it!@@tattygun81

[@Addouk]

So this was my first ever time doing it and my first ever mountain climb 😂, rained from start to finish, thick fog, dark nights and hailstone at the top and moderate to high winds, my waterproofs were no longer waterproof and my shoes full of water the whole way.. a struggle is an understatement lol

[@AlphaToEpsilon]

It’s always interesting to see Europeans loving the English hills… I’ve spent the last few years doing these routes, but now I’ve become a bit bored of them and just do physical fitness training to do summits in the alps every year. I love the Alps so much more than what we have in the U.K as they resemble what I would call “real mountains” rather than grassy hills. I may just be going through a phase, but that’s how I feel at the moment.

[@zacwrong]

Nice one mate! Defo all hype though in my opinion 😁

[@TraintoSummit]

100%!

[@johngreig7249]

I'm going here soon this video has scared me 😂

[@connor9209]

It’s Awesome in the snow. 🤪

[@TraintoSummit]

I bet!

[@andysharratt4935]

Thinking of taking my 14 year old son up there soon but not sure if it will be too much for us. Any recommendations as to what to take? Just sturdy boots, waterproof, fleece and water???

[@AlphaToEpsilon]

It’s OK, but be sure about it before going too far. If you go too far across, you may not want to go back or forwards (rendering you stuck). Don’t go if rain is forecast. When going down, take the route via Grisdale Tarn and down the valley to avoid going down via the ridge again 👍

[@andymcallister3920]

I did it Saturday. Was surprised how scary Striding Edge was. Definitely more 'mountaineering' territory rather than hiking territory. There is a part called 'The Chimney' which I found particularly difficult - probably more mental than physical). It was the feeling of my backpack forcing my momentum forward, I just thought 'one wrong step and I'm going forwards, then down'. I've done a few decent hikes over the years but this was tough. Maybe that is my age and I'm not as fit as I was, but wow, Striding Edge definitely crossed that fine divide between adrenaline and fear. Search for 'the chimney' (about 8mins 32 on this vid) and prepare. I half wish we had done the Swirral Edge route back, but instead we took the path which was very tough going on the old knees and thigh muscles. Enjoy, and be safe,

[@SoupMagoosh]

Idk if you've done it yet but make sure to check the weather before, that will tell you what you need to take (water, sunscreen, waterproofs etc.) And I would not go up if there is a weather alert

[@soletrail]

Great Video man. Well edited 👏👏 new Sub from me. Greetings from Ireland 🍀🇮🇪

[@TraintoSummit]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks!

[@andrewbarr5227]

To say the rocks are good to walk in and grip easy . It is a different animal when they are wet... it is not the hardest in England or even the lake district. Sharp edge and jacks rake are both harder...

[@vivcristea]

12:20 Definitely a guy thing 😂

[@staarren8119]

its just hyped because theres literally no ridges like this in england, but even this one doesnt compare at all to good ones in the alps

[@shanedonohue21]

I did it in the snow and ice and was easy, but for people who are not used to doing this sort of thing or even maybe a fear of heights, it would be hard for them

[@TraintoSummit]

I'd 100% say the same

[@gymbruh1824]

So what was ur thoughts, over hyped or not

[@TraintoSummit]

It wasn't as difficult as any of the ones I mentioned in the beggining of the video, but I loved the route - Worth the hype 🔥

[@jitendrakhare9219]

Will it be a good idea to climb exposed parts without saying anything and add commentary when you edit video? From safety point of view !!! Otherwise absolutely stunning place ....I appreciate Viv listened to her body and turned back...This wisdom will help you guys prolonged climbing life...And yes you are a very very CUTE couple ... Its pleasant watching both of you together !!!

[@TraintoSummit]

I was filming with a GoPro on my head, so it's hands free 🙌🏼. When I film myself talking I usually stop in a safe place - I prefer talking to the camera instead of voicing over, it feels more personal. Viv's hip is better now thankfully, she's going strong again. Thanks for watching!

[@stueyre1406]

You have only done Striding Edge if you stick to the highest point of the arret the whole wat across. Any one who drops to one of the lower paths has not completed Striding edge. It's not overly technical, or particularly challenging. Avoid if it's very windy, or overly wet, especially if you are new into fell walking. I had completed over 200 mountain climbs before I first did it, now it's like a Sunday stroll in the park. The best bit for me is the scramble up to the summit plateau. If you want a thrill, descend Sharp Edge, that will show you how good your boots are

[@ottconsulting7]

Who are you to say people haven’t climbed it unless they do as you say?

[@woowah32]

@@ottconsulting7 It’s just his opinion, calm down!👍🏻😅

[@SoupMagoosh]

@@woowah32 they never said it was their opinion, they said it like it was a fact

[@woowah32]

@@SoupMagoosh Exactly. ‘Like it was fact’ Except, it was his opinion…🤦🏻‍♂️👍🏻😅

[@SoupMagoosh]

@@woowah32 so you agree with me?

[@bigbob6700]

It's all hype, it's only difficult if you're fat and lazy