My wife and I were just above the bad step when the 54year old gentleman fell. The conditions were pretty bad with rain heavy mist and very low visibility. I'll never forget hearing the scream. There wasn't anything we could do as we didn't have our climbing gear with us as we were out for a walk. A couple did abseil down but I don't know how far they got as it was way way further down then a single rope would reach. The poor family just had to stand there for hours until mountain rescue arrived. Quite a few people got pretty scared as they didn't really know which way to go. We lead a group of 6 or 8 up to the summit. Very sad day.
What a crazy thing to have to witness. Even just reading it gives me that dread feeling of being helpless. I hope you don't mind me pinning your comment. I'd like others to see it as i think it helps further the message that i was trying to send through this video. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Just an idea but why doesn't the local council or anyone with the skills just put a knotted rope down so hikers have something to hold on to? why hasn't anyone done this? what am I missing as It could potentially save lives and free up rescue services for other tasks.
@@gibbs677bg I guarantee that putting a rope their would lead to more problems. Maybe it adds a bit more safety but at the end of the day if something is seen as safe and doable then more people will attempt it, in a numbers game this will lead to more accidents in the long run. Best method is educating people of the risks in the mountains so people can recognise when something is dangerous and take the safest course of action. Or you just go the whole hog and put railed stairs up every hill and mountain but I think the purists would never allow it.
@@damark376 I'm by no means an expert, but when I did some hiking in the French Massifs there were some sections with visible fall warnings for hikers and particularly sketchy parts similar to this had metal cables bolted to the mountain so you would have a permanent hand hold. It doesn't replace recognising risks or having skill but particularly when accessibility and publicity goes up (Instagram, tiktok and the like) small things like that can surely help
I have walked striding edge 26 times in all weather conditions in all four seasons and I've never had any problems. The last few years since the whole lockdown fiasco I have seen an influx of people who go up onto the fells who are totally unprepared for mountain hiking, they wear trainers shorts and t-shirts and give no thought to the changes in the weather conditions that can happen real fast, mountain rescue have never been busier. It doesn't take much to be more mountain prepared, just some thought, some warm clothing, food and water in a small day pack can make a difference. And please stop dropping your coke cans and crisp packets all over the mountains, other people who have been coming up here for years love the wild beauty of the place and don't want to see the trash you leave behind, take it with you, leave only footprints.
You my friend, speak the harsh truth. I did a 3 peaks challenge 14 years ago and was amazed at the lack of awareness of the whole thing. A disaster waiting to happen.
Lakeland resident here. In addition to the excellent advice in the video, my suggestion would be to avoid both Striding Edge and Sharp Edge in wet weather. With all the traffic they get the rock has become polished, and it's slippery when damp. Unless you are a confident climber, it's best to wait until a period of settled weather has allowed the rock to dry. Avoid in stormy conditions - I've seen Patterdale SAR members try to wave parties off the route in severe weather. They are the ones who have to carry the bodies down, so we should respect their wishes, I think. Obviously, in winter conditions Striding Edge should be treated as a technical climb rather than a scramble - for experienced mountaineers only.
Agree 100%. I did Striding edge with my wife in winter, very silly indeed taking her up there having not done it before. I misjudged it based on my previous experience of ‘similar’ routes and judging my confidence levels not hers. We also only had one set of crampons between us and bumped into someone who lent my wife his backup snow grips which helped. Fortunately a lesson learnt without incident but it knocked my wife’s confidence on the hills which was totally the wrong thing to do. Great video :)
Good post! Great advice which all should heed! I did Striding Edge in the 70s and again in the late 90s and I could not believe how much more difficult it was due to boots polishing the rock and the scuffing off effect on soil and loose rock, making slippery and polished rock faces. It was much more challenging in terms of balance skills and route navigation. I expect Swirral Edge, Sharp Edge, Napes Needle, Jack's Rake and the Corridor Route etc will be similarly challenging.
Well said and I totally agree wet conditions and the polished rock along there can turn what in the dry is a pretty easy little scramble into a far more. serious objective and unfortunately on occasion even lethal. My heart goes out to all those who have lost family or friends while doing what they love.
learned that hard way too, last year in Wales, slipped on rocks and had funniest ever tumble down into river with a decent drop at the end. And I thought I was confident enough until you find out that you are not, and mind you I grew up in N.Ireland always close to Mourne Mountains, crossed every peak in UK, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, N.Ireland, that there is to cross off, that one slip was a wake up call, one mistake and you could be done for
This is genuinely one of the most responsible and well-intentioned videos around the nature of scrambling I've ever seen. I would argue this shouldn't be a one-off for you, as there's way too many "look at how great this is" videos that fail to convey the severity and seriousness of the endeavours we undertake in the outdoors, whilst also showcasing the beauty and exhilaration of taking on such mountain challenges. Excellent work. More please.
Appreciate that Ben thanks for the kind words mate! Enjoyed putting it together I’d love to do some more documentary style videos on the UKs big hiking attractions
If people cannot assess risk then they shouldn't be outside. But in the real world we are mostly adults and not naive children as you patronisingly imply. Plus most 'endeavours' carry minimal actual risk, but of course there are always grandma's such as yourself to vastly exaggerate them.
@@garymitchell5899 he has, humbly, added some insight, experience and advice to the general pool of knowledge around this scramble. Particularly useful research for those deciding if this scramble suits their skill level. What has your snarky, pointless comment added to the sum of knowledge? Fuck all!
@@jackasnacks You really beautifully showed the pros and cons, dangers and joys of this activity, I would be very interested in your views on other dangerous outdoor activities that people brush over the dangers a bit too quickly. Thank you for pushing for people to stick to what they are comfortable with and to not push yourself just because others are around, thats a very big part of where accidents happen.
About 40 years ago myself and two friends were in the Lake district for the Autumn colours. One of my companions thought we should do Helvellyn and Striding edge. Long story short, we reached The bad step and the snow was blowing straight at us. There was a good 4 or 5 inch of snow and I took one look and said I was going back. The conditions were worsening and after a few minutes of debate my 2 friends agreed, there were a few other hikers behind us who were simply following us and I turned to them and said we were going back. It was way too dangerous, you couldn't see where to put your feet, in fact, you couldn't see your footprints from only a few minutes earlier. They all agreed and we returned the way we had come. Strangely once we had descended some way back down the mountain there was no snow, only drizzling rain. Conditions can change very quickly up there so always check the forecast. I am now in my late 60s and haven't been back, although I have been to the Lake District many times since then.
Such sound advice, and I agree if you feel in anyway uncomfortable, then turn back or take an easier route. I have been in the mountains as a guide and instructor for 50+ years and never had an accident until three years ago. I was crossing lose ground on a goat track, the incline was 80 degrees. It was raining and the ground was slippery, the edge of the track crumbled, and I fell. The slope ran down for 200 hundred metres and then over a cliff into the river. I tumbled like a rag doll head over heels, fracturing my sternum,3 gashes to the head,3 gashes to my elbow and 2 gashes to my knee. I spread my body out with my arms to try and slow myself down, it was very painful, but it worked. I was with another person who assisted me to a safe refuge. we then had to walk out of the forest for two hours. I shall stop there and suffice to say, I survived. No matter how fit you may be, how experienced you may be, how confident you may be, you are never out of danger. and foolhardiness will only get you killed. So, after 50 years in the mountains, I had all my Christmases come at once. So, take heed of this video and be cautious in all you do when in the mountains. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ 😀😀
I can tell you EXACTLY why incidents have increased and it comes down to one word ...inexperience...During covid and the inability to travel abroad people have remained in the UK and headed for places like this with little experience or knowledge as well as going ill-equipped and ill prepared.
Totally agree. A few years ago, 4 townies visited the Kings Head at Thirlmere, and had a meal. They were heard talking about going for a walk. A person advised them that they needed suitable footwear, and clothing. They said they were OK. They paid their bill, and left. A shirt while later they were all DEAD! The weather was sub-zero, the path was covered in ice, and they had some how walked up a path, attained about 30 metres, the person in front slipped, slid, hit the person behind, knocking that person down, and then the other two. The men were wearing jackets and trousers, plus rubber, soled shoes, the women dresses, tops and stilletoe heeled shoes.
I was in the Great Langdale valley with my partner and his step-dad a few years ago, his stepdad is a keen (and very physically fit) hiker and took us up Bowfell via a side route that isn't even on the OS maps. It turned out to be a traverse along the fellside with a 100m sheer drop onto a scree slope (I later learned it's called Climber's Traverse). I was getting horrible vertigo but his stepdad was so far in front of us, I couldn't have turned back if I'd wanted to. After the traverse we got to the top of Bowfell by scrambling up a steep, STEEP climb that was just scree and loose rock underfoot, and I remember thinking that if one rock slipped, I would be dead. Thankfully we made it all fine but I've rarely been so furious that I'd been put in such a dangerous situation. It's so easy for one small mistake to become life-threatening.
Next time stop and wait for the more capable climbers to come back to you. The person with least ability should not be playing catch up. Glad you're ok and not one of the stats.
Appalling behaviour from the step dad, especially given his age and experience. Less experienced party members should never get left behind, especially on a challenging route like this!
I climbed Helvellyn when I was a teenager, probably around 15. We went up with members of another family, the Austins - my dad was an anaesthetist and Roger Austin was a surgeon, who'd actually operated on e a year or two prior to this when I broke one of my arms badly. When we arrived at Striding Edge from Patterdale, all the other members of my family, and his, turned back. Roger and I 'conquered' Striding Edge, and then went round the back of Red Tarn via Swirral Edge, and walked over 20 miles. It was one of the most difficult but exhilarating treks I've ever done. I'd love to go up there again, over 40 years later.....
Love that story John, and thats why you're here watching this video you have that adventure head on. Good on you for having the confidence to do the full thing. I love the fact that when i upload a video i never know what story someone is going to tell me. You have that memory of your first time up there and share it with me here it really adds a layer of depth to my appreciation for where i live.
It’s as you say, responsibility and knowing your limits. Equipment, weather, knowledge and experience all come into play. I was up there when the weather turned bad, I just hunkered down and got a brew on, some still tried to keep going which was foolhardy in the wind and rain! The edge ain’t dangerous, it’s people who are. Good video Jack, and don’t feel any guilt.
Great video. I am 55yrs old now and disabled. But as a young lad of 18 i did that route on a mountain leaders cadre. Its not for the feint hearted. Your advice is spot on.
I first did Striding Edge as a teenager back in the 1980's and didn't think it was that difficult. I returned last year and even though I was reasonably fit, I found it quite scary and won't be doing it again. I do remember bad step last year and luckily there was someone at the bottom to help me down but I do think after looking at photos the path isn't as well defined as it was in the 80's.
A very good video which over the years might make the ultimate difference to someone and their family. Ive done this route several times in all weather. I am an experienced climber and have turned back once when someone called it. If a member of a group calls time on a hike we have a rule. It’s never questioned and we all go down together. Thank you for making this video.
We walked up there a couple of years ago and got up to the lake. We started to climb the right hand side but as soon as we got to the start of the rocky ridge it was too scary and muscles in my legs twitching so we came back down and just sat by the lake. If you don’t feel comfortable doing something then stop there’s no shame in preserving your own well-being. Good video 👍🏼
Great video, and deeply informative. I'm a low skilled but pretty well equipped amateur walker/climber. This video really helps to build awareness of the tricky spots on a particular route, and allows people to plan for it. I usually go on walks in a regular group of people and all of us have varying abilities, and varying thresholds in terms of feeling safe to continue. This means we could easily fall into the follow the leader mentality that you cover so very well in your video. I love how you made a point of addressing this. On a walk last year in Wales we tackled Nantlle Ridge - 3 pushed on and completed it, and 2 decided it wasn't safe for them. I was one of those who decided to turn back, and i did not feel i'd failed. I felt that for me the right choice was made on that day. We split off into two groups, but also ensured nobody was left to deal with any part of it alone. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on a very well produced video. I shall be looking to watch more of your content.
Very relatable this. I am from the flatlands (Norfolk) so although I walk a lot I've not had much experience with hills/mountains. It really helps to see videos like this to inform of the complexity of parts of the hikes. I'll always prepare well (proper walking boots/first aid kit/head torch/food and drink) but information is sometimes the most valuable resource.
I couldn’t manage the Bad Step and I was really embarrassed at the time to have to not finish that section. Probably the only time I haven’t finished part of a Wainwright (with the exception of turning back due to bad weather). Nice to hear someone saying that turning back isn’t a defeat, it’s part of being a successful hiker.
Jack, I just wanted to say thankyou for doing this wonderful video. I am intending to challenge myself along Striding edge in a few weeks time whilst visiting the Lakes with a friend. Both her & I have never summited Helvellyn & having never taken anything for granted, yet feel I am always pretty sensible in terms of judging the conditions & having the right kit, this info regards the correct way to approach the bad step has been really useful.👍
I think there’s been quite a big change in the public perception of walking/hiking in general in recent years, particularly since the lockdown. It’s great, I’m all for it of course, but it does mean ever growing numbers of inexperienced people about. As someone who’s hiked a lot through the years, I’ve really noticed an increasing number of poorly equipped groups out on the mountains - all it takes is some bad weather to come rushing in, which happens scarily quickly sometimes, and it’s a recipe for disaster. Educating people is the key to solving that, so fair play for this video, I think it’ll do good. Cheers.
It's all too easy for someone with no experience to think "that looks easy I'll put on some trainers and go hiking" - I've been doing fell walks for years, best advice is get proper hiking boots, know the route, don't rush observe the weather and if in doubt, don't risk it.
I’ve been up successfully a few times and aborted one attempt when it was too wet and icy to even contemplate the harder sections. It feels awful, at the time, knowing you’ve travelled a long way and looked forward to the challenge, to then decide to go back, but later when you think it over, you get satisfaction from knowing you made the right decision. Another much earlier time me and a friend were very inexperienced and we climbed up after days of very heavy snow. It was sunny and so warm that we were able to take off our jackets once we got going. We had both done some fell running and mountain races. (Ben Nevis and Peris Horseshoe among them) and were very fit. We completed the Edge but the snow at the final section of path at the very top of the Helvellyn summit was moulded into an icy and steep bell shape and we did not have crampons on our boots. We therefore could not get a firm footing and kept sliding back with each upward footstep. We resorted to grabbing a rock each and hacking steps to get up. Once we achieved that we were faced with the challenge of getting down again via Swirral Edge on the other side (going back via Striding Edge was a complete non starter given the difficulties going up). Big problem. The corniche of snow was swept so high in a wave and was unbroken, so we couldn’t see the path down. Obviously no one had come up or down Swirral Edge that day or perhaps for a few days. We eventually worked up the courage and chose the right part to break through, slid on our backsides on what we had correctly judged to be the path and got down to the very easy route home. I’ve told this tale in shame really. We got away with it. We were lucky. The thing to learn is - don’t go up in snow or ice without crampons and previous experience of these type of conditions. A rope would have helped too, one person anchoring for the other in that attempt to break through the corniche. I hope people can learn from this (sorry to be long-winded). I certainly learned a lesson and that was what caused me to abandon later attempts.
Late June, about 21:00, 2023, I and my sister had just finished a walk at Thirlmere reservoir. Approaching my car, I noticed a group of people of asian appearance who were obviously a little lost. They were in discussion with a car driver but nothing came of it. They tried to get the attention of a camper van driver but he seemed distrustful or simply didn't want any inconvenience and he drove off at speed. The group noticed me and came and asked me if I knew of another route back over Helvellyn. I looked at them a little incredulously and told them that there was only one and that was the one they had already travelled to get to Thirlmere. It transpired that they had climbed Helvellyn via Striding Edge; two of the males had had panic attacks while on said edge and had to be coaxed to continue with the climb because they were at a point on their ascent which would have made a turn about very dangerous. They weren't even dressed for the mountains and had decided late in the day to do the climb. Anyway, they were lost with no hope of a short cut back to their start point. So, I volunteered to drive them back to Glen Ridding from Thirlmere, not a short journey but St. John's in the Vale is always a very nice drive through stunning scenery. They were grateful enough and I wasn't going to lecture them but to take on Striding Edge, late in the day, without adequate clothing or gear or map, for heaven's sake, and knowing little or nothing about the terrain and the risks involved is insane. I suppose it's easy to be brave when ignorant of the dangers involved and luck then plays a vital role in the success of any endeavour. They, it seems to me, were very lucky.
Very many decades ago, aged 21, I found myself ascending Jack's Rake on a damp day in the Langdales during a weekend outing of the University outdoor group. A choice of routes was on offer and I'd picked the Langdale Pikes via Pavey Ark without much of a look at the map; that was the leader's job. I don't think I even knew what a 'scramble' was and at the first sight of Pavey Ark across Stickle Tarn I started to wonder whether this was a good idea. I must have talked myself into thinking that things can look steeper than they actually are because I went along with the (small) crowd and finally reached the top with a bit of patience, encouragement and help, though my legs were shaking for much of it. The real problem was not the height so much as the exposure; at one particular bit there was only a few feet of convex damp grass slope between the cliffside 'track' and what seemed like a couple of hundred feet of sheer drop - two or three steps that can still nearly bring me out in a cold sweat. And it would have been quite difficult by then to go back down. I don't recall any sense of achievement at the summit, just relief. Since then I have avoided anything containing the words 'Rake' or 'Edge' in whatever language (crib goch) and enjoy the mountains in much greater safety. The moral of the story for individuals is don't talk yourself into things or go along with the crowd. For group leaders, it is don't just focus on the objective; give as much thought to the team you are leading. In this case a ten minute pre-job brief beforehand, even the day beforehand, would have been a sound idea and probably seen me doing Bowfell instead.
@@danbeech4241 Funnily enough, at the top the walk leader said to me 'You'll have something to tell your grandchildren!'. That wasn't what I was thinking, at least not in that way. Whenever I mention it to anyone, which is rarely, it is always along the lines of 'don't get yourself into this situation'.
Done it a few times now over the years, yes the bad step is... tricky - even the easier side. Tbh , I wasn't aware of the more difficult one. I actually find the scramble over the extreme ridge is great fun , always 3 points of contact ! Great informative video 👍
A few years back two of us set off to bag Blencathra via Halls fell ridge. The weather was pretty awful with driving rain but with the promise of better to come. We got up beyond 3/4 with low cloud and visibility down to a few metres only. As it became more ‘craggy’, the rock like ice, and myself leading, I stressed to my companion the need for 3 points of contact at all times, but otherwise we were good. Suddenly, from nowhere I was hit by an overwhelming sense of impending danger and that we immediately needed to abandon and make our way down, which was technically harder than ascending. I’ve never before or since encountered this sense of impending peril despite many years of experience on the fells. Maybe having a family member with me made the difference but always remember the fells will be there for another day, so listen to your gut instinct, or sixth sense if you like, there’s no shame in seeking safety.
I remember walking Striding Edge with the school CCF in Spring 1971. We had been given new lightweight plastic waterproof ponchos that the Army wanted tested. We were wearing these in rain on Striding Edge when a powerful cross wind suddenly hit us. I was fourth in a line of eight. The ponchos of the three cadets in front of me were ripped off them, leaving only the reinforced collar round their necks. The same happened to the guy immediately behind me. We were probably lucky not to have anyone blown over the edge. The Army never did adopt the new, lightweight, waterproof poncho!
Excellently put together and delivered Jack. From doing Striding Edge and Sharp Edge myself, Sometimes it just hits you and you lose your head. There’s no shame in turning round. It’s devastating to think of how it would be to witness or fall down yourself. Respect for making this video mate 👏
All mountains should be respected and as you rightfully say, do what you feel comfortable with. The goal is not just doing the hard parts or completing the whole walk but enjoying the outdoors. The mountains have been there a long time and will be there for you to enjoy agian. Good video and a topic well addressed. Thanks John.
I hope you aren't having any thoughts that any of this has been effected by you. You are right about the peer pressure and people who haven't the ability to hike this Ridge are going up there. And sometimes with the best will in the world, accidents do happen. I'm like Em. There is no way you will get me up any edge that. I get near any edge and I get a Lemming feeling. Just wouldn't even consider it. I'll go up the easy walk. To all those who have lost anyone here or on any mountain you have my condolences. Safety first second and third as far as I'm concerned.
This to me is one of the best "I've made a small mistake" videos, you've went out and tried to improve so well done mate. I've walked in the lakes for years, but the last year or so is the most challenging I've found. More and more people under equipped, no knowledge of weather or timings.....hope it impoves
I think the awareness of mental tiredness along with physical tiredness is so important to keep in mind for reducing risk. My latest big hike I had a run in with the deadly combo of wet leaves and roots that run parallel with the slope quite near the end of the hike and on the end of an especially tricky and scary section for me. I've got too much imagination when it comes to heights and steep slopes in general to approach those kinds of ridges and edges, but any activity (or inactivity) has risks you have to respect, even if it's just falling on your bum into a pile of leaves.
Boy have you come far! I enjoyed your early videos way way back, and I've watched how well your uploads are looking nowadays. You're much appreciated and you present pretty interesting topics. Much success with your channel! Can't wait to see what you'll do next. Best wishes!
I have crossed Striding Edge and Swirrel Edge quite a few times, the latest being earlier this year. After descending the chimney at the bad step my son and I sat for some refreshments and helped a few folks descend the chimney. What I did notice was that several people went to the right of the chimney over the big drop to Red Tarn and climbed down this way which as you show in your video is much more of a risk than the chimney. In the chimney the holds are plentiful and it funnels you down to good ground whereas to the right it is less clear, greasy, damp and a big drop if you slip. I think as hiking/walking becomes more popular more people are just heading out without doing any research into where they are heading especially on the ridges. This day we had to help at least two people who had ventured right at the bad step and got stuck, luckily we were there to guide them to the better ground. Hopefully, anyone heading up there for the first time watches this video before they go. Take care. Mick
I thank you more than I could ever express for making this video! My aunt is one of the leading members of Wasdale MRT and has been part of the team for as long as I can remember (I'm 42!). She visited us here in Bournemouth a couple weeks ago and, as is often the topic of discussion, we spoke about the impact that social media "advertising" of the wilder parts of our country is having - particularly from her point of view as a MRT member. It is no quietly kept secret that call outs of emergency services are on the rise and that one of the key reasons for this is inexperienced people attempting to emulate what they've seen on social media. I could speak for hours on the subject! I was taught about the dangers, safety, preparedness etc since I was 4 years old. My father loves the wilderness and was the 1st English born to complete the Munroes in one hit. I've grown up with the outdoors and my number 1 priority is to always respect it! Please don't make this a "one-off" video. There's enough videos & posts about these wonderful places to go and see. What is sorely lacking is for those with essential knowledge to impart it so that knowledge is as widely known or accessible as the beautiful & dangerous locations themselves. I live on the south coast, in Bournemouth, where there is little need or point in making content on safety outdoors. You live in, and clearly enjoy and are knowledgeable about a beautiful, wild and potentially dangerous place. Share your knowledge & wisdom, it may well save a life!!!
I did Striding Edge last year and while I'll admit I've often used that route. I think what catches people out is once you're on the route, it's very hard to actually turn round physically as if it's during tourist season you'll have a line of people behind you so you have to find a way to make space where there isn't really any. Main thing that I'd be interested to know is what was the weather like during these accidents and what time of year. A lot of people will just check the met office but not check the dedicated lake district one that gives a break down of the predicted wind conditions at different altitudes. Could be a lovely summer's day in Glenridding but 30-40mph gusts of winds up at striding edge. Me and my girlfriend are planning a return trip to the lakes in Jan 2023 and I certainly won't be doing striding edge, spring and summer absolutely but autumn and winter? No chance, it's about respecting the mountain and your personal ability. Another reason why the numbers might be going up is when the first Covid lock down first got lifted, the lakes was the busiest i've ever seen it which brought a lot of inexperienced hikers trying to hike fells in £15 Primark trainers and jeans. Really well made video and your concern was clearly extremely genuine to me as a first time visit to your channel. I just urge people not to necessarily be turned off the idea of going via striding edge but please please check the wind, temperature and ground conditions at that altitude at the time you predict to arrive, never rush yourself or anyone else and take as long as you need and have decent boots on. If any part of that feels wrong, turn back and try again another day. Suffering a hit to personal pride is nothing compared to loosing your life
Well done for making this film 👏🏻. I tried to walk the ridge but turned back when I began to feel that it was beyond my ability. It was sound mountain judgment and while I was disappointed at the time I have now been to the summit a couple of times from Stannah and have loved it.
Very thoughtfully done - appreciate this video. I went over Striding Edge about 12 years ago when I was late thirties and super fit. Was with more experienced walkers (I was more of a fell runner). I felt mildly ridiculous finding SE so challenging, it tested my confidence quite near to my limit. I used pantomime humour to laugh at my vulnerability and deliberately created a bit of comedy scene - this helped prevent panic. Wouldn't bother taking any risk these days. Another thought; weather conditions - obviously! - make a huge difference. Wet rock and having cold hands massively restrict our capabilities. Anyway, go safe everyone and enjoy the great outdoors.
Me and my friend successfully did striding edge a few years ago. There was another group hiking at the same time as us who were fairly experienced and did all of striding edge too, but one fell coming down Swirrall edge and broke his leg. They were there for hours waiting for mountain rescue. The day started out dry and warm but as the day went on it got cold and started raining. The temperature dropped massively. Just goes to show that even after completing the bad step you can still get hurt on the 'easier' section. Always be careful.
I think squirrel edge (going down) is quite deceptive and dodgy. It's easy to get over-confident and make that one misstep. You may only fall a few feet but the terrain is so jagged and unforgiving it will really make you pay for it
Thank you so much Jack for presenting such a balanced message here 👍 particularly that turning back should not be seen as a failure - quite the opposite in fact. It takes more courage to admit you're not comfortable - doing the same in the face of potential peer pressure takes even more. I've wanted to do Sharp Edge and Striding Edge for many years and sadly my arthritic knees mean it's no longer possible. So, I'd encourage those who are able to have a go. But please, please be appropriately equipped. Choose a time when conditions are appropriate, take an experienced person with you and take great care. It definitely does not sound like a "Sunday Stroll".
I found the last scramble to the top the hardest. There's loose shale and a steep incline, just when you're exhausted. The edge itself was fine - a bit of a puzzle to find the right route - but that was in perfect weather. My friend found going down harder than coming up whereas I felt great on the way down!
Oh yes, that last scramble is a bit of a horror! Thank god it was dry when I did it. Had a ‘moment’ clinging to Mother Earth while I got myself together part way up. Character-building stuff eh, ha ha.
Thanks for sharing this . Helvellyn/Striding Edge was my very first climb around 2010. I was lucky as my companion was a Duke of Edinburgh instructor and had done it a few times before . We'd set off at 5am as it was May and had the assent completely to ourselves with perfect weather. Striding Edge was awesome as I had sound advice with me . We had bfast on the summit to ourselves but could see people ascending in numbers now . Within minutes low cloud and rain surrounded us . Our descent was to be Swirell Edge and I was so pleased to be with an experienced friend . Even so it was concerning . Conditions had changed within minutes . I will never forget the hot shower back at camp .
I was lucky to do Helvellyn and Striding Edge one Easter in the 80s and we had a couple of guys from the Army who were part of the Mountain Rescue team as guides. Got part way along striding edge, bitterly cold and wet and the fog came in so we abandoned it and started descending. Part way along the edge only to meet a solo guy going up in shorts and tee shirt, no warm or waterproof gear. Lesson is to know what you're doing, have the right kit, get some training (e.g. MLTB course)and don't get complacent! Pretty much the same advice I'd give about any past time that has the potential to be lethal.
Excellent video and you have really got very good camera angles. Your advice is perfectly correct, when I’ve been most people appear to take the difficult route down when in fact the south facing side is safer and easier. But really as most people say, don’t go near it unless you are experienced, as its not walking its far more technical .
I did this route back in April this year with a 10kg dog in my backpack ( was easier than carrying her up and down the steepers parts and I could have both hands free to climb over) I made sure the weather wasn’t to windy or wet before setting off. Everyone was helping each other over the edge letting other aware of slippery or lose rocks. Only do what you feel comfortable with. No shame in taking a different route. The mountain will always be there to try again.
Great vid, stumbled across this. Very responsible to put out this vid on reflection to highlight risk and increase awareness without scaring people off. I think it's always a case of being aware of danger and abilty and making the judgement for yourself, but always look to push your limits when prepared. Great stuff highlighting the work of mountain rescure too.
You, a touch younger than your present, few, years, had fun putting a video out saying "the whole worlds dangerous, embrace it". Youth should, generally, see life as such. Now, a couple years on, you want to amend that, with what experience has shown you since. Wisdom should always behave as such. Props. Love the spirit of adventure, and the way you see things. Watching you drop sensors on the strid near took me to tears, would have been my exact instinct on seeing that natural curio. When i was young, i adored documentaries produced by the adventuresome folk themselves, and a collection of vhs with you heading expeditions, and performing whatever rituals of science struck your fancy, would have held a prized place in my collection. So frequently watched the tape would run thin. The internet is incredible, so many of my old joys are here, freely, like arthur c clarkes mystery world. Thought it would go down as "forgotten media", but almost all of it's held in this electric akashic. When the great library went up, it's said most of the works were checked out, that the Vatican spent centuries claiming, and cloistering, the bulk of what the world think burned away. I think it would take an act of the sun itself to threaten this new wonder. Even then, so much would remain, locked up in the redundancy of the information age.
Lovely comment Ira thank you! Yes these videos help me learn and grow from the experiences i've had in the past. It's nice to have a capsule containing past experiences and be critical of myself and how my opinion has changed over the years. You always feel wise, but you never stop getting wiser. I often think about the bigger picture a lot, and making videos are just a way for me to try understand the bigger picture more. Chatting to people from all over the world in the comments about a subject really does expand my knowledge on that subject.
100% one of the best produced videos Ive seen for a long time .This format really works . Its a dangerous place for sure and since UA-cam etc etc . Its a lot easier to research routes "real time" and people can see if a route suits them etc etc
That was such a great video. I love your honesty about the situation and I think that you have done a fantastic job at giving people good information. Well done! I also really enjoyed the footage of the scenery. OMG it’s stunning ❤
I've only done Striding Edge and Swirral Edge once. Was a lovely warm day so the crowds were out, and queues forming. Was amazed to see how unprepared people were and how some parents were forcing their, obviously, very scared kids along on these places. Great advice about turning back. More people need to heed that. Reminds me of a quote by Ed Viesturs: “Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.”
It’s fine to turn around. You are a winner for getting as far as you can feel comfortable. Imagine the feeling the feeling when eventually you do make it after one or many more attempts. Such sweetness. You live to hike another beautiful mountain. It’s the journey that makes you.
Great video. Any outdoors activity has the potential to be dangerous if you take risks, including being underprepared or not respecting the weather conditions. Of course, there’s plain luck to take account of too, but doing your due diligence before setting out can improve your chances of an enjoyable day out. I first tackled Striding Edge as a kid with my Dad, long before we had - as we do today - so many useful, affordable and easy-to-access bits of tech to assist in planning a day out. Thanks to many years’ experience of hiking around the Lakes in his youth, Dad has never been gung-ho or complacent enough to ignore the risks: even when he was a boy, there were all too many sad cautionary examples of accidents to take heed of. It’s not being a buzzkill / killjoy, posting videos like this, nor were you wrong to post your other vid about Striding Edge: it’s possible to have a fantastic time facing and conquering the challenges of the mountains, people shouldn’t be put off for fear of coming to grief. Having said that, everyone who’s interested would do well before they set out to do their homework first, including taking stock of their abilities and making sure as far as possible that they’ve minimised the risks they have any capacity to mitigate. Dad’s aching to have another crack at Helvellyn but, last time we tried around a year ago, the weather was against us and we decided to turn back rather than risk it. Frustrating, but there’s no shame in it and we’re both able to look forward to another opportunity in the future. My heart goes out to the families of those who’ve fallen or got injured. The best respect we can pay to the memory of their lost loved ones is to make sure we keep safety as top priority.
I walked along Striding Edge when I was about 14 years old with my grandparents. It looked a bit daunting to begin with but was quite comfortable once you get on it it seems to grow and feel wider. I remember the wind was whipping over the top and I got very cold.
I did Striding Edge about 10 years ago with my husband. We were both 56. Had only really started hill walking in mid 40's. We went up from Patterdale. All okay until we got to bad step. I just couldn't commit. We turned round and went back. We did feel a bit miffed not to have completed the job. However, it was the most technical walk we had done. We weren't the only ones that day to turn back. We have though got to the summit via Thirlmere.
Good for you for knowing your limitations. I know I can't do very exposed routes, I'd be a danger to myself and others because I can just freeze. But it doesn't stop me loving and enjoying the mountains- there are nearly always alternative routes. I even managed to get onto ( though not along) the Black Cuillin ridge on Skye- I'd even have made it to one of the peaks if some stupid idiot guide hadn't been up on the ridge telling his party at the top of his voice (and therefore anyone else in earshot) about all the falls and dangers he'd known. Note to guides- it's moronic to do that.
When I was brand new to fell walking i tackled Scafell Pike and Scafell on one day, then Helvellyn the next. I'd heard about Striding Edge and wanted to do it it but when i got there, the fog was so thick you couldn't see 10m in front of you. It was a quiet mid week day. The out of nowhere this older bloke in his 60s appeared and we did it together. It's largely fine and enjoyable, wider than it looks but you're bang on about the bad step. I didn't know about it at the time, and that was definitely most nerve wracking bit. Me and my new companion had a good chat on the way down - I didn't even know i'd tackled Swirral Edge - it wasn't anything to worry about. Good content mate. Great work.
Cheers Knight! Yeah i've had that happen too where i buddy up with a complete stranger at the start of a difficult section. Even when i went out to film this video a guy actually walked the edge with me. It's nice that even though you're on your own people are there looking out for you.
I've been down the bad step about 7 times and have to say I've never really "noticed" it, but always climbing in good August weather. It has always seemed relatively safe to me compared to climbing along the top of the ridge where I have suffered with vertigo.
Really good advice. I think the rise in incidents is due to far more people visiting places like the lakes following travel restrictions in recent years. I know popularity of these locations has grown massively since covid. As a mountain biker I have seen massive growth in people taking up the sport and many seeking instant success and riding trails they don't have the experience to ride and getting into trouble. I imagine its the same with hikers in the lakes. But your advice it spot on. If your not sure walk away don't feel preassured to do anything your not comfortable with.
I agree. There are so many more people walking in the past two years. It's amazed me. However, many of these people are without either experience or good equipment and clothing. I'm 67, have walked hills all my life, know my limitations and, in particular, I'm very aware of the effect of effort upon muscular fatigue. I wouldn't like to be confused by weariness and stumble along Striding Edge in wet conditions. That's exactly how accidents happen and, bravado aside, it may explain some of the incidents. p.s. I've just read the reports. Lots of ankle injuries (fell runners, improper footwear), exhaustion and inexperienced walkers attempting scrambles without the necessary skills.
Yea this seems to be the most likely cause. Some of my favourite walks became massive queues. Good to see people out but the amount of people in flip flops, without water etc was a bit disconcerting. After you go on a few tougher walks you quickly learn what you need but the amount of people taking on tougher walks as there first “hike” is very high
Indeed- not just more people, but most of those extra people have the least experience. They may have done some walking on holidays abroad, but maybe in places where the weather is kinder/more predictable and the routes not so worn slippy. A college friend from California was taking a trip to the Lakes, I warned her about the dangers, she was surprised, as compared to the mountains she was used climbing the Lakes ones are pretty small. But I explained about the weather being very changeable due to the Lakes being essentially coastal and subject to dangerously rapid weather changes, in visibility as well as snow/rain/wind/hail and that it was necessary to treat the mountains there with respect, and she listened, and was safe. When she got back, she said- 'I see what you mean now!'.
About 55 years ago I did Striding Edge. If I have your description right, going upwards I tackled the bad step on what you've described as the easier side (I turned with my back outwards towards the south, my face inwards to the rock towards the north). Wainwright calls it 'a little awkward'... What an experience, all the same: my blood runs cold as I think of the follies of youth! How glad I am that I came back to Patterdale down Swirral Edge, the ridge on the opposite side of Red Tarn. I do take your point about not pushing yourself to do anything you don't feel comfortable about. Thank heavens I had the sense NOT to go more than a few feet up Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark in the Langdales: I turned round and did the suitably named Easy Gully instead.
Easy Gully has an awkward lodgestone in it that in the wet requires a boost or a quick belay with a confidence rope to get over safely. At least it did about a decade ago, it may have slid down of course.
Wise words... I've done Striding Edge a few times, and weather and fatigue make a huge difference. I got interested in mountains as an Air Cadet in the '60s, when we did Crib Goch in fog, and found a lone walker who had just died near the top. We called Mountain Rescue and a heli came from RAF Valley, where we were on annual camp and had been clambering all over it the day before. I put myself down for the ATC's Windermere adventure course. The instructors were superb, with MLCs and aircrew rescue experience, and I loved it. On my third visit, we took on Striding Edge. The day was crisply cold and sunny, perfect when we started out. Soon after we hit the Edge, there was horizontal sleet in thick cloud, but we were well led, trained and fit. We descended the Bad Step by the chimney, and paused for a Mars bar. And there it all went wrong... As one of our more experienced lads put his rucksack on his back to start the ascent to the summit, a gust caught it and blew it off his shoulder. It tumbled down the scree and into the fog, spraying its contents like a catherine wheel. A break in the cloud revealed it, jammed against a rock. It was reachable, so three of our party gingerly retrieved it and some of its contents, but it took about 20 minutes for them to get back up - and the wind-chill was bad. We started the ascent, but the wind soon became very strong, and whipped-up a white-out. One of the instructors decided to glove up, but the wind took one of the gloves. A minute later, we were scrambling on all fours in terrible light, white-out and wind that could blow you off your feet. Without his glove and beginning to get frostbite and hypothermia, and with the vision of the falling rucksack playing on his sense of responsibility, that instructor went out of his mind. He was gripped by fear. He wouldn't let go of the handholds he found, nor move his feet. He shook and cried, and was inconsoleable. We did our best to soothe him, but we had to rescue him or we would all die of hypothermia. I forced his hands and feet, one at a time, onto new holds, while others pulled him from above and pushed him from below - all the way to the plateau. We followed a bearing to the shelter at the top, where he calmed down as we had hot drinks from flasks. This weather would kill us, so we didn't dally. Unable to see the top of the cliff, we used time and bearing to locate Swirral Edge, and we got him along it and made our way back to sunny Glenridding. I never heard him speak again. We all survived, but he had lost his mind. I grew up that day. I learned about fear, leadership and mental health crisis. It had been a formative day for me. I took my family up, 20 years later. It's a fine walk for a summer's day. But I saw how close I'd been to a cornice that was invisible in the white-out. If you like exposure and skiing arrêtes, I recommend the Grande Couloir at Courchevel - but mind the step.
Years ago I came here week after week to get some training to walk up Galdhøpiggen, Norway's highest mountain. Galdhøpiggen is also partly a ridge walk so Striding Edge was a good test as I didn't make it up Galdhøpiggen at just over 8,000. I found Striding Edge very tricky, didn't like it really. In fact it is a whole lot harder than the ridge walk up Galdhøpiggen so to anyone who has been up there, good on you, it's not simple. The fear anyone may have is good, anyone that thinks it's a piece of cake should not be tackling this climb with that attitude. By the way, I did get up Galdhøpiggen years later, several times and wow, what a view from the top.
Great commentary. I have recently completed striding edge, and whilst I did not have an issue (having undertaken many ridges/ solo climbing) there was a small group on the 'bad step' that was having issues. Part of the group bravely turned back. The fact is that many people go to the popular climbs and do not have the experience/ equipment/ have done any research. Striding edges should not be tackled in poor conditions. one missed footing on the 'bad step' in wet conditions can throw you off. Well-prepared hill walkers in good conditions who respect the mountains will have little to fear.
I walked Striding Edge several times back in the 70's. A few years ago I returned to walk it and what really shocked me were the crowds. There was basically a queue to get onto the ridge. I can only assume the accidents might be related to the number of people attempting it, and the inevitable increase in badly equipped and inexperienced walkers.
It's like that at Grib Goch now too, problem is the amount of people that attempt it have no experience whatsoever then freeze on the ridge in fear preventing flow causing people to get impatient and then try and get round in narrow places!
Very good video. Your message at the end of the video is the key and that is something everyone should remember going to these places . Thank you for the informative video.
It's also interesting how much a region's mountaineering/climbing culture can impact the dangerous nature of a section. I live in Vancouver, Canada, and we have a really strong mountaineering/hiking/climbing culture, and I've done sections with hundreds of hikers per day on scrambles far more exposed and tricky than The Bad Step, but it's really about how experienced the hiker is. It's hard to push yourself to tackle a big hike, but it's harder to acknowledge that something is too risky for your skill level and to decide to turn back.
As a teenager in the 1980s we tried to descend via Striding Edge off Helvellyn and couldn't find the path. Came down Swirral Edge instead, which was exhilarating enough with a full pack (we were walking from hostel to hostel). It looked so daunting that I never tried it again. Clearly the first time you walk it you should ascent Helvellyn via the Edge, not descend. Fast forward 30+ years and my daughter wanted to do some real rock scrambles, so my desire to show her some exciting scrambling meant I walked Striding Edge, from Patterdale, for the first time in my life in my late 50s. She loved it, I felt the height a bit daunting but spurred on by her we made it. We negotiated the Bad Step in the way advised in the video. The only issue I had was when we reached the top of Helvellyn she had a total energy melt down. The energy expended on the climb really hit her (she was 13). We had to eat all our sandwiches and chocolates, and even had some friendly walkers give her stuff to keep her energy up. Getting down Swirral Edge was a bit tricky but we got back to Patterdale where she collapsed on her bed and sleep all the way through to the next morning. Having loved the Lake District since first being taken there by the school from Birmingham, to actually do such a fantastic walk with my daughter is one of the best memories of my life.
Just recently done Striding Edge for the first time in over 30 years. Solo leaving Patterdale at 5am I had whole place to self. With a low cloud and a steady wind from the left there was a few times I questioned myself. I actually started down the wrong side of bad step but couldn't find footholds so came back up then discovering the better side. I will do it again. But maybe in the summer ☀️
This is a brilliant video and there should be more to promote hill/mountain safety as fell walking is more popular now than ever. I've been up Helvellyn perhaps 10 times but only got to the summit via Striding Edge once. The day I had was perfect blue sky with no strong winds only a breeze, so I got very lucky indeed. I can imagine it being quite treacherous in the wet and wind and not something I would attempt even as a fairly experienced walker. I know people much more experienced than me who found Striding Edge terrifying so I approached it with a lot of caution. I positioned myself to let an older group pass me as I was on my own that day. I think it is important to go at your own pace and not to be tempted to rush just because there are more experienced or able people about. As I had a perfect weather day I felt pretty safe for most of the Edge, but there was one or two spots where stepping down I knew a mistake could be pretty nasty. So again best to take your time. The Bad Step I was a little bit apprehensive about, but got to watch the group that had previously passed me descend it and took my time picking a route down it. Horrible to hear about the tragedies that have happened here and my heart goes out to the families affected. Great advice about finding the courage to turn yourself around if you don't feel confident or safe. I've applied that advice on several occasions myself. There's no shame in turning back and getting home in one piece. Sometimes it's harder to do so. Once again, thanks for the great video.
I have been visiting Patterdale for the last 20 years and have been up the Edge about half a dozen times, in Sun, rain snow and fog, I like to think I am reasonably experienced, but, you have to treat it with total and utter respect. I was up there about 3 years ago and met some lads from Liverpool who were attempting it from the Hole in the Wall, it was about 2.30pm in November and they had yet to start the ascent, they had one rucksack between them and only trainers on their feet, I cautioned them about trying it but they said they’d be OK. I heard later that the Patterdale team had to go out, whether it was them or not I don’t know, I climb mostly on my own so I am not influenced by anyone else. I have one memory of being up there in fog, I met a man and his wife, who was a bit nervous, but she managed the climb. There were a couple of lads ahead of us who reached the shelter before us, when we arrived we were asked if we would like some Jasmine tea, a lovely finish to a hairy climb
Did striding edge a good 10 or 11 years ago, it seemed fairly safe overall, high exposure in places definitely but highly enjoyable. Picked a day when the weather was dry and not too windy but wouldn't have attempted it if it were wet and/or windy. I thought sharp edge on Blencathra and Crib goch in N.Wales were much more exposed and tricky having done both those routes since then. Also, since covid there are a lot more people out and about doing these types of route who are not necessarily kitted out and experienced/careful enough and wandering into situations that they aren't prepared for, either physically or mentally. People couldn't get abroad for holidays for a long time and stayed in the UK instead. Could be why the big increase in incidents the past 2 years...just simply a higher influx of people who wouldn't have done UK hillwalking otherwise..
Great video! Preaching responsible caution is definitely the way forward and although in the short term people will be disappointed with small failures they will come to admire the challenges and breathtaking beauty of the fells with a greater regard. I remember reading a walk in a Wainwright book where he says something along the lines of "If you can get your right leg vertically above your head whilst your left leg remains on the floor then this is the route for you, otherwise leave the strenuous tasks to the young and keen and take the easier route to the top - the view is the same regardless of the challenge." Which sums it up well really. These days I leave striding edge to the tourists and whippersnappers and go off the back from Grasmere to the steps at Thirlmere. Dollywagon Pike is a fairer challenge for me at nearly 40 and I much prefer encountering Helvellyn as a massif rather than a hike to a ridge walk - and who could say fairer than lunch by Grisedale tarn, eh.
On the third day of a hike across the lakes, I was ontop of Hellvelyn trying to decide which route to continue with. My bag usually comes in around 13KG so I imagine it was something like that. Rain was intermittent and mist was very thick, so I was on the fence about taking the easier route north towards Thirlmere, but someone on the summit said it's not a dodgy descent and I should have a good time. Whilst this was true for me, I have a lot of experience climbing and hiking multi-day trips.... I have to admit there were moments where I lost footing and my heart missed a few beats. I remember resting about halfway quite eager to see the descent end. I was pretty tired and my legs pickup a bit of a wobble after 72 hours of climbing and descending with no proper rest in the tent... but even so, I do wonder about the fella who advised me it'd be no bother even in those conditions. He didn't know my confidence or experience levels... coulda been a lot worse for someone else.
I think Sharp Edge is more technically difficult as the last part of it can catch you out - I guess there’s quite a few factors involved in any climb though…(fitness/ weather/ vertigo/ anxiety/ footwear)..
I’ve always found Sharp Edge OK in favourable conditions, though it’s hellishly polished nowadays and I wouldn’t do it in the wet!! I once had a friend turn back before the steep final ascent, as he found just the appearance of it too overwhelming - but the sections before that are more technical I think and he’d managed those reasonably OK.
Thank you for another sobering video. The last time I visited the Lake District was 1978. It’s a very beautiful place. I know of ridge walks in New Zealand that have taken lives. I prefer streets! A wander along the Embankment in London or down Pitt Street in Sydney is enough for me. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
I was walking the Skye Trail, and when we came to the bad step on that trail we were in for a nasty surprise. We are Americans who’d never heard the term “bad step” before and had no idea the seriousness that term conveyed. Tackling what we would call “4th class terrain” with 40lb packs was terrifying and could have been a potentially fatal mistake. Thanks for putting this out there. Showing people the challenges and walking through the risks and the best approaches to mitigate those risks really can save lives… and for visitors it can help illuminate what to expect in ways a verbal description can’t
Whatever you do in life, stretch your scope by all means, but know and respect your limitations. I used to do a fair amount of hill walking but I assert here and now that I would never attempt anything approaching Striding Edge. You see, I know I suffer from vertigo and it doesn't take a lot of imagination to appreciate that I would not only be putting my own life in danger but also the lives of the volunteer MRT members. I won't do it.
My brother fell from striding edge in 2020 and mountain rescue was called, luckily he wasn’t too badly injured but was airlifted to hospital. Was terrifying, but it was OUR fault as we did not wear suitable gear/clothes to tackle it.
My Dad has told me about the time he "walked" along windy, snow covered striding edge in the winter (it was more crawling than walking) when on a narrow bit he felt was quite dangerous he was passed by a local chap who merrily strolled by on his morning walk. It sounds and looks like a fun excursion for folks who know their limits, I hope to walk striding edge some day.
I'm a Wild Camper and even though I may go near Striding Edge, I would most likely Wild camp around the lake below Striding Edge and not go up to the Edge. I was in a coma when 21 years old for several weeks abroad and have brain damage. Because of this when I'm on a height I get dizzy, lose balance and usually fall unconscious. I know my limitations, and know that I have no right to risk the lives of Mountain Rescue for my bad judgement! I know I can experience seeing Striding Edge above me and have a nice wild camp over night without any risk. That is good enough for me. KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS AND NEVER ALLOW PEER PRESSURE TO MAKE YOU DO SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT CONFIDENT ABOUT DOING! Fantastic video, well presented Thankyou, Liked and Subscribed!
Thanks for your thoughts. I did Striding Edge a few years ago. I my opinion you shouldn’t attempt the traverse unless you have an experienced hill walker with you. On the day that I went I overheard a Swiss tourist saying that you have to go above 2 - 3000 meters altitude in the Alps to find similar terrain.
Yep- I heard the same sort of thing from a Californian friend- the mountains here are smaller than 'hers', but more treacherous- due to worn routes and changeable weather.
The best cure for adventure seeking is adventure lol. For my life, I don't understand why people do it, however much i relish their videos and stories! Apart from it seeming to be largely people who are "very experienced" hikers or climbers that end up dying, no amount of preparation can truly be enough to face these weather-ruled, wild places. I very much appreciate your sounding an alarm, and more knowledge for those insistent upon the journey is never a bad thing!
Intelligence not tempered with wisdom always proves dangerous and frequently fatal...We can see that all around us, and is by far the biggest threat individually and to our species as a whole..If we choose to mature, remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking...This is a good analogy of where we are as a civilization/species, I'd say we've chosen the wrong path and are striding the edge...Of course I don't expect many to understand, but by the end of this decade, I suspect, everyone will understand to some degree...
A very responsible video. Thank you and well done! I think possibly the reason for the higher death and incident toll is due to the number of videos out there showing beautiful edges in their best light and people don’t realise the nature of what they’re taking on. When conditions change people are often unprepared and untrained in the conditions they find themselves. I’ve done many of the edges, Striding Edge, Crib Goch, Aonach Eagach etc. All of them are so very different depending on the conditions and can change very rapidly. I’ve had to guide people a number of times in a number of places. I’ve also often advised people to turn back as I can see they’re ill-equipped and ill-prepared. They seldom do! Over 20 years ago I used to take a friend winter mountaineering in Scotland and advised him and guided him. Unfortunately, after I had moved away, that same friend carried on winter mountaineering with other friends thinking he was experienced, which he was and trained, which he wasn’t! The sad end to the story is that his friend slipped to his death from Aonach Mor on New Year’s Eve in about 1996. He had crampons with him but had never used them before and when on the hill found that they didn’t fit his boots as they were designed for stiff boots but he had bendy boots. Rather than turn back they continued and summited. Trying to negotiate the north descent became treacherous with ice and Paul sadly slipped to his death. Why am I telling you this story? I think this is now what happens with all the videos out there. People believe they are experienced because they watch a few videos.
Great video. I live in Wigton. I am 47 and have walked in the lakes for about 40 years. I have only ever been over Striding Edge once! It honestly scared me a bit. This isn’t what I seek from my walking. I have three boys; one of the greatest times we had together was on Sharp edge Blencathera. You are correct you have to respect these places. I think it’s good that you are advising people to simply be mindful and to be aware
Ello Jimmy, i drive through Wigton all the time lol. Apprecaite the comment. Sharp Edge is epic i have a video on that one too. Hope you're enjoying your weekend mate
i have done crib goch in snowdonia which was hair raising to say the least but awesome ,my partner froze half way along so i had a bad situation, happily i talked her through it and we both made it safely . when i went to striding edge it gave me the willies and i simply went for an amazing relaxing walk on the adjacent ridge. i was not disappointed. Don't give in to your ego is my advice. and never ever over estimate the level of ability of any companions you have with you . I have done lots of moutain walking over the years and got quite confident until a fall on sardinia, where i was over turned by an unstable rock and thrown down a scree slope,No broken bones but a humbling experience .I thought i was in control , but control is an illusion !
I have assisted several people of the mountains, most were inexperienced and ill-equipped for the walk they were walking. Its very sad that this happens. God bless the mountain rescue
incredibly well balanced advice. The balance between risk and safety is a deeply personal choice. It's very difficult to apply a 'one size fits all approach'. Many thanks from Cornwall.
I’m 70 and last year decided to walk up Helvelyn on my own with the intention of going Striding Edge. Good sense prevailed and I eventually decided to take the route up from Thirlmere. I’m glad I did.
Great film as always (Striding edge is a challenge and sketchy especially when wet ) Fair play for flagging up the consequences of too much Ego or bluster🙌🙌 Best wishes Simon 🙏🏼😊🏔
Cheers Simon, it was weighing me down a bit, i feel much better now i have this video available. My hope is that first timers type striding edge into google and they find this video and in turn go up with a bit more knowledge and keep themselves safe!
Thank you so much. I am a 40 something Fell walker aware of my own limitations and not the fittest of people I will confess. I walk with my son, coming up to 16 and the name of the game is to finish the walk in one piece. I've been debating whether to give striding edge a go. I see lots of comments about how it is basically fine, I think from your video and advice I may well give it a miss. I don't need to either watch my son fall or have him pick up the pieces if I do. If he wants to do it with other, fitter folks than I at some time he can, but know your limits, and this may be beyond mine. Thank you for an informative and honest video
I moved to the lakes a year ago and Helvellyn became a solid favourite of mine, but I only tackle Striding in good conditions. My first time I was a little apprehensive but the weather was beautiful and we just took our time, judged every single step, coached each other through and had a great time! I can't wait to go back! I hasten to add my first experience at Striding was only a few months after my first experience at Crib Goch so admittedly once I was on the edge it didn't feel quite as nerve-wracking as Crib haha
Good short documentary mate, well put together. Numbers on the hills post lockdown have definitely increased, more inexperienced people will sadly equal more accidents, incorrect footwear and dropping off the crest off the ridge to avoid a scramble and find themselves on awkward wet terrain. My friend and I got a bit displaced on Crib Goch. Can happen to the best of us, so you shouldn't underestimate these ridges.
Great comment, I agree 100%. Too many people think of mountains as an ' Alton Towers' in the hills. In the Lakes and the Alps, I have seen people attempting dangerous climbs, ski runs etc with inadequate equipment and lack of skills and lack of preparation and training. The attitude is too often 'I'll give it a go' without any understanding of what is required and a realistic evaluation of the danger involved. Perhaps ridiculous tv programmes encourage people to try things which are beyond their present abilities. As a ski instructor in the Alps, I am ashamed to say that the English tend to be the worst! We need more videos like this to make people more aware of challenges like this. I have experienced the same on Crib Goch ridge too! Scary!
@@languagetruthandlogic3556 you have to start somewhere, but I also think map and compass skills are a dying art. I know myself I end up switching to GPS, but I can understand the map on the screen as its the same on the paper map.
i did the edge many years ago, and loved it! But it was done with all the safety gear, footwear etc, and the knowledge of how to use it. People these days have the misconception that with the advent of mobile phones, GPS, they are invincible. Too protected when young, never being allowed to use sharp knives in case you cut yourself, keep safe in all situations mentality. It pays to let very young people take some risks, and that is the way they learn. I remember coming down Crib Goch with an SAS mate in the snow and on thick glazed ice. The conditions (in February) at the summit were arctic, and we had crampons on Even so we were only just staying upright when we met two young guys and a girl heading up. They were all dressed in light anoraks, two were wearing trainers and jeans, and the girls was similar, but in wellingtons!! No provisions with them at all! We turned them back. We had only just said goodbye to the helicopter which we had called to extract a climber suffering from a diabetic coma from just below the summit, and these three were prime candidates for a tragedy.
The trickiest bit for many people is being completely honest with themselves regarding their actual abilities vs. their egocentric abilities. Nobody wants to be the coward but there is nothing cowardly about honesty when it pertains to safety. Lovely video
I crossed Striding Edge twice when I was an undergrad. The first time in a group, five of us, the second time alone. This was in 1983 and 1984. The weather was snowy the first time, the second occasion was in summer. I have no idea how I did it since I suffer from severe vertigo which has only gotten worse the older I become. The second time alone, it was a sort of zen experience as I recall. Something that day in me was so in tune with nature. I have always found mountains and hills spiritual places. But I would totally agree with caution. On one other occasion we had the opportunity to make for Striding Edge but the weather was drizzly and it did not feel right so we turned back, fully aware of what was involved in a crossing. You do need to be sensibly equipped, weather-proofs and good boots not to mention snacks to boost energy. ( and a decent lunch packed). And fit enough. Which basically means experience of walking hills and mountains, and being able to haul yourself up 2000+ feet just to begin. So good luck to those who want to give it a go - but always be careful and sensible. I shan"t for many reasons be able to manage that kind of stuff ever again sadly-wise but a bit of contemplation of place does take me back.
Great advice, i did the bad step, right sidetone last step down is long and stretching, also to the right at the bottom is a wobbly rock. My son took the easier side and a guy in front of him slipped and fell a bit causing him some pain, but nothing major. Every mountain needs to be approached with caution, and if it feels wrong don't continue is what i say, don't push it, know your limits and go from there.
Excellent advice which should be essential watching for everyone thinking of doing this route. Also, if you choose to go along the somewhat safer Swirral Edge opposite, you can get some very cool pictures of people on striding edge!
My wife and I were just above the bad step when the 54year old gentleman fell. The conditions were pretty bad with rain heavy mist and very low visibility. I'll never forget hearing the scream. There wasn't anything we could do as we didn't have our climbing gear with us as we were out for a walk. A couple did abseil down but I don't know how far they got as it was way way further down then a single rope would reach. The poor family just had to stand there for hours until mountain rescue arrived. Quite a few people got pretty scared as they didn't really know which way to go. We lead a group of 6 or 8 up to the summit. Very sad day.
What a crazy thing to have to witness. Even just reading it gives me that dread feeling of being helpless. I hope you don't mind me pinning your comment. I'd like others to see it as i think it helps further the message that i was trying to send through this video. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Just an idea but why doesn't the local council or anyone with the skills just put a knotted rope down so hikers have something to hold on to? why hasn't anyone done this? what am I missing as It could potentially save lives and free up rescue services for other tasks.
@@gibbs677bg I guarantee that putting a rope their would lead to more problems. Maybe it adds a bit more safety but at the end of the day if something is seen as safe and doable then more people will attempt it, in a numbers game this will lead to more accidents in the long run. Best method is educating people of the risks in the mountains so people can recognise when something is dangerous and take the safest course of action.
Or you just go the whole hog and put railed stairs up every hill and mountain but I think the purists would never allow it.
@@gibbs677bg I think it's the same reason there isn't a railing around the top of the Grand Canyon.
@@damark376 I'm by no means an expert, but when I did some hiking in the French Massifs there were some sections with visible fall warnings for hikers and particularly sketchy parts similar to this had metal cables bolted to the mountain so you would have a permanent hand hold. It doesn't replace recognising risks or having skill but particularly when accessibility and publicity goes up (Instagram, tiktok and the like) small things like that can surely help
I have walked striding edge 26 times in all weather conditions in all four seasons and I've never had any problems.
The last few years since the whole lockdown fiasco I have seen an influx of people who go up onto the fells who are totally unprepared for mountain hiking, they wear trainers shorts and t-shirts and give no thought to the changes in the weather conditions that can happen real fast, mountain rescue have never been busier.
It doesn't take much to be more mountain prepared, just some thought, some warm clothing, food and water in a small day pack can make a difference.
And please stop dropping your coke cans and crisp packets all over the mountains, other people who have been coming up here for years love the wild beauty of the place and don't want to see the trash you leave behind, take it with you, leave only footprints.
You my friend, speak the harsh truth. I did a 3 peaks challenge 14 years ago and was amazed at the lack of awareness of the whole thing. A disaster waiting to happen.
I suppose if I've got a black cat you've got a black,er one.
@@Nick-kn2os Or maybe, I don’t have a cat, and your cat analogy is nonsense
@@thecuttingsark5094 hilarious I'm in stitches....
@@Nick-kn2os I do have that effect
Lakeland resident here. In addition to the excellent advice in the video, my suggestion would be to avoid both Striding Edge and Sharp Edge in wet weather. With all the traffic they get the rock has become polished, and it's slippery when damp. Unless you are a confident climber, it's best to wait until a period of settled weather has allowed the rock to dry.
Avoid in stormy conditions - I've seen Patterdale SAR members try to wave parties off the route in severe weather. They are the ones who have to carry the bodies down, so we should respect their wishes, I think.
Obviously, in winter conditions Striding Edge should be treated as a technical climb rather than a scramble - for experienced mountaineers only.
Agree 100%. I did Striding edge with my wife in winter, very silly indeed taking her up there having not done it before. I misjudged it based on my previous experience of ‘similar’ routes and judging my confidence levels not hers. We also only had one set of crampons between us and bumped into someone who lent my wife his backup snow grips which helped. Fortunately a lesson learnt without incident but it knocked my wife’s confidence on the hills which was totally the wrong thing to do. Great video :)
Good post! Great advice which all should heed! I did Striding Edge in the 70s and again in the late 90s and I could not believe how much more difficult it was due to boots polishing the rock and the scuffing off effect on soil and loose rock, making slippery and polished rock faces. It was much more challenging in terms of balance skills and route navigation. I expect Swirral Edge, Sharp Edge, Napes Needle, Jack's Rake and the Corridor Route etc will be similarly challenging.
Sharp Edge is horrendously polished nowadays - and it’s a few years since I’ve done it so no doubt it’s worse now!
Well said and I totally agree wet conditions and the polished rock along there can turn what in the dry is a pretty easy little scramble into a far more. serious objective and unfortunately on occasion even lethal. My heart goes out to all those who have lost family or friends while doing what they love.
learned that hard way too, last year in Wales, slipped on rocks and had funniest ever tumble down into river with a decent drop at the end. And I thought I was confident enough until you find out that you are not, and mind you I grew up in N.Ireland always close to Mourne Mountains, crossed every peak in UK, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, N.Ireland, that there is to cross off, that one slip was a wake up call, one mistake and you could be done for
This is genuinely one of the most responsible and well-intentioned videos around the nature of scrambling I've ever seen. I would argue this shouldn't be a one-off for you, as there's way too many "look at how great this is" videos that fail to convey the severity and seriousness of the endeavours we undertake in the outdoors, whilst also showcasing the beauty and exhilaration of taking on such mountain challenges.
Excellent work. More please.
Appreciate that Ben thanks for the kind words mate! Enjoyed putting it together I’d love to do some more documentary style videos on the UKs big hiking attractions
If people cannot assess risk then they shouldn't be outside. But in the real world we are mostly adults and not naive children as you patronisingly imply. Plus most 'endeavours' carry minimal actual risk, but of course there are always grandma's such as yourself to vastly exaggerate them.
@@jackasnacks you’re very watchable 👍🏻👍🏻. This from a bloke with no interest in pushing himself.
You offer a great perspective - keep it up.
@@garymitchell5899 he has, humbly, added some insight, experience and advice to the general pool of knowledge around this scramble. Particularly useful research for those deciding if this scramble suits their skill level. What has your snarky, pointless comment added to the sum of knowledge? Fuck all!
@@jackasnacks You really beautifully showed the pros and cons, dangers and joys of this activity, I would be very interested in your views on other dangerous outdoor activities that people brush over the dangers a bit too quickly. Thank you for pushing for people to stick to what they are comfortable with and to not push yourself just because others are around, thats a very big part of where accidents happen.
About 40 years ago myself and two friends were in the Lake district for the Autumn colours. One of my companions thought we should do Helvellyn and Striding edge. Long story short, we reached The bad step and the snow was blowing straight at us. There was a good 4 or 5 inch of snow and I took one look and said I was going back. The conditions were worsening and after a few minutes of debate my 2 friends agreed, there were a few other hikers behind us who were simply following us and I turned to them and said we were going back. It was way too dangerous, you couldn't see where to put your feet, in fact, you couldn't see your footprints from only a few minutes earlier. They all agreed and we returned the way we had come.
Strangely once we had descended some way back down the mountain there was no snow, only drizzling rain. Conditions can change very quickly up there so always check the forecast. I am now in my late 60s and haven't been back, although I have been to the Lake District many times since then.
Yep its amazing how different the conditions can be in the lakes between being in the valley and on the tops.
You made the right decision there. Good on you 👍
Such sound advice, and I agree if you feel in anyway uncomfortable, then turn back or take an easier route. I have been in the mountains as a guide and instructor for 50+ years and never had an accident until three years ago. I was crossing lose ground on a goat track, the incline was 80 degrees. It was raining and the ground was slippery, the edge of the track crumbled, and I fell. The slope ran down for 200 hundred metres and then over a cliff into the river. I tumbled like a rag doll head over heels, fracturing my sternum,3 gashes to the head,3 gashes to my elbow and 2 gashes to my knee. I spread my body out with my arms to try and slow myself down, it was very painful, but it worked. I was with another person who assisted me to a safe refuge. we then had to walk out of the forest for two hours. I shall stop there and suffice to say, I survived. No matter how fit you may be, how experienced you may be, how confident you may be, you are never out of danger. and foolhardiness will only get you killed. So, after 50 years in the mountains, I had all my Christmases come at once. So, take heed of this video and be cautious in all you do when in the mountains. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ 😀😀
I can tell you EXACTLY why incidents have increased and it comes down to one word ...inexperience...During covid and the inability to travel abroad people have remained in the UK and headed for places like this with little experience or knowledge as well as going ill-equipped and ill prepared.
Inexperience definitely plays a part, but don't be fooled. Even the most experienced of hikers can get caught out on routes like these. Cheers
Defo I can vouch I did the same, although I was a bit experienced I met many people during the lockdown phase up pen y fan that where not
Tbf my dad took me and my sister up here when we were lile 12, no issues luckily
Totally agree. A few years ago, 4 townies visited the Kings Head at Thirlmere, and had a meal. They were heard talking about going for a walk. A person advised them that they needed suitable footwear, and clothing. They said they were OK. They paid their bill, and left.
A shirt while later they were all DEAD!
The weather was sub-zero, the path was covered in ice, and they had some how walked up a path, attained about 30 metres, the person in front slipped, slid, hit the person behind, knocking that person down, and then the other two. The men were wearing jackets and trousers, plus rubber, soled shoes, the women dresses, tops and stilletoe heeled shoes.
@@Volcano-Man well that's a load of bollocks
I was in the Great Langdale valley with my partner and his step-dad a few years ago, his stepdad is a keen (and very physically fit) hiker and took us up Bowfell via a side route that isn't even on the OS maps. It turned out to be a traverse along the fellside with a 100m sheer drop onto a scree slope (I later learned it's called Climber's Traverse). I was getting horrible vertigo but his stepdad was so far in front of us, I couldn't have turned back if I'd wanted to. After the traverse we got to the top of Bowfell by scrambling up a steep, STEEP climb that was just scree and loose rock underfoot, and I remember thinking that if one rock slipped, I would be dead. Thankfully we made it all fine but I've rarely been so furious that I'd been put in such a dangerous situation. It's so easy for one small mistake to become life-threatening.
I'm horrified on your behalf!
Next time stop and wait for the more capable climbers to come back to you. The person with least ability should not be playing catch up. Glad you're ok and not one of the stats.
Your partner is a bad partner.
Appalling behaviour from the step dad, especially given his age and experience. Less experienced party members should never get left behind, especially on a challenging route like this!
I climbed Helvellyn when I was a teenager, probably around 15. We went up with members of another family, the Austins - my dad was an anaesthetist and Roger Austin was a surgeon, who'd actually operated on e a year or two prior to this when I broke one of my arms badly. When we arrived at Striding Edge from Patterdale, all the other members of my family, and his, turned back. Roger and I 'conquered' Striding Edge, and then went round the back of Red Tarn via Swirral Edge, and walked over 20 miles. It was one of the most difficult but exhilarating treks I've ever done. I'd love to go up there again, over 40 years later.....
Love that story John, and thats why you're here watching this video you have that adventure head on. Good on you for having the confidence to do the full thing. I love the fact that when i upload a video i never know what story someone is going to tell me. You have that memory of your first time up there and share it with me here it really adds a layer of depth to my appreciation for where i live.
It’s as you say, responsibility and knowing your limits. Equipment, weather, knowledge and experience all come into play. I was up there when the weather turned bad, I just hunkered down and got a brew on, some still tried to keep going which was foolhardy in the wind and rain! The edge ain’t dangerous, it’s people who are. Good video Jack, and don’t feel any guilt.
I always find it weird when people use the word 'conquer' when they climb a mountain 😊
Great video. I am 55yrs old now and disabled. But as a young lad of 18 i did that route on a mountain leaders cadre. Its not for the feint hearted. Your advice is spot on.
I first did Striding Edge as a teenager back in the 1980's and didn't think it was that difficult. I returned last year and even though I was reasonably fit, I found it quite scary and won't be doing it again. I do remember bad step last year and luckily there was someone at the bottom to help me down but I do think after looking at photos the path isn't as well defined as it was in the 80's.
A very good video which over the years might make the ultimate difference to someone and their family. Ive done this route several times in all weather. I am an experienced climber and have turned back once when someone called it. If a member of a group calls time on a hike we have a rule. It’s never questioned and we all go down together. Thank you for making this video.
We walked up there a couple of years ago and got up to the lake. We started to climb the right hand side but as soon as we got to the start of the rocky ridge it was too scary and muscles in my legs twitching so we came back down and just sat by the lake. If you don’t feel comfortable doing something then stop there’s no shame in preserving your own well-being. Good video 👍🏼
Great video, and deeply informative. I'm a low skilled but pretty well equipped amateur walker/climber. This video really helps to build awareness of the tricky spots on a particular route, and allows people to plan for it. I usually go on walks in a regular group of people and all of us have varying abilities, and varying thresholds in terms of feeling safe to continue. This means we could easily fall into the follow the leader mentality that you cover so very well in your video. I love how you made a point of addressing this. On a walk last year in Wales we tackled Nantlle Ridge - 3 pushed on and completed it, and 2 decided it wasn't safe for them. I was one of those who decided to turn back, and i did not feel i'd failed. I felt that for me the right choice was made on that day. We split off into two groups, but also ensured nobody was left to deal with any part of it alone. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on a very well produced video. I shall be looking to watch more of your content.
Very relatable this. I am from the flatlands (Norfolk) so although I walk a lot I've not had much experience with hills/mountains. It really helps to see videos like this to inform of the complexity of parts of the hikes. I'll always prepare well (proper walking boots/first aid kit/head torch/food and drink) but information is sometimes the most valuable resource.
I couldn’t manage the Bad Step and I was really embarrassed at the time to have to not finish that section. Probably the only time I haven’t finished part of a Wainwright (with the exception of turning back due to bad weather). Nice to hear someone saying that turning back isn’t a defeat, it’s part of being a successful hiker.
Jack, I just wanted to say thankyou for doing this wonderful video. I am intending to challenge myself along Striding edge in a few weeks time whilst visiting the Lakes with a friend. Both her & I have never summited Helvellyn & having never taken anything for granted, yet feel I am always pretty sensible in terms of judging the conditions & having the right kit, this info regards the correct way to approach the bad step has been really useful.👍
I think there’s been quite a big change in the public perception of walking/hiking in general in recent years, particularly since the lockdown. It’s great, I’m all for it of course, but it does mean ever growing numbers of inexperienced people about. As someone who’s hiked a lot through the years, I’ve really noticed an increasing number of poorly equipped groups out on the mountains - all it takes is some bad weather to come rushing in, which happens scarily quickly sometimes, and it’s a recipe for disaster. Educating people is the key to solving that, so fair play for this video, I think it’ll do good. Cheers.
It's all too easy for someone with no experience to think "that looks easy I'll put on some trainers and go hiking" - I've been doing fell walks for years, best advice is get proper hiking boots, know the route, don't rush observe the weather and if in doubt, don't risk it.
I’ve been up successfully a few times and aborted one attempt when it was too wet and icy to even contemplate the harder sections. It feels awful, at the time, knowing you’ve travelled a long way and looked forward to the challenge, to then decide to go back, but later when you think it over, you get satisfaction from knowing you made the right decision.
Another much earlier time me and a friend were very inexperienced and we climbed up after days of very heavy snow. It was sunny and so warm that we were able to take off our jackets once we got going. We had both done some fell running and mountain races. (Ben Nevis and Peris Horseshoe among them) and were very fit. We completed the Edge but the snow at the final section of path at the very top of the Helvellyn summit was moulded into an icy and steep bell shape and we did not have crampons on our boots. We therefore could not get a firm footing and kept sliding back with each upward footstep. We resorted to grabbing a rock each and hacking steps to get up. Once we achieved that we were faced with the challenge of getting down again via Swirral Edge on the other side (going back via Striding Edge was a complete non starter given the difficulties going up). Big problem. The corniche of snow was swept so high in a wave and was unbroken, so we couldn’t see the path down. Obviously no one had come up or down Swirral Edge that day or perhaps for a few days. We eventually worked up the courage and chose the right part to break through, slid on our backsides on what we had correctly judged to be the path and got down to the very easy route home. I’ve told this tale in shame really. We got away with it. We were lucky. The thing to learn is - don’t go up in snow or ice without crampons and previous experience of these type of conditions. A rope would have helped too, one person anchoring for the other in that attempt to break through the corniche. I hope people can learn from this (sorry to be long-winded). I certainly learned a lesson and that was what caused me to abandon later attempts.
Late June, about 21:00, 2023, I and my sister had just finished a walk at Thirlmere reservoir. Approaching my car, I noticed a group of people of asian appearance who were obviously a little lost. They were in discussion with a car driver but nothing came of it. They tried to get the attention of a camper van driver but he seemed distrustful or simply didn't want any inconvenience and he drove off at speed. The group noticed me and came and asked me if I knew of another route back over Helvellyn. I looked at them a little incredulously and told them that there was only one and that was the one they had already travelled to get to Thirlmere. It transpired that they had climbed Helvellyn via Striding Edge; two of the males had had panic attacks while on said edge and had to be coaxed to continue with the climb because they were at a point on their ascent which would have made a turn about very dangerous. They weren't even dressed for the mountains and had decided late in the day to do the climb. Anyway, they were lost with no hope of a short cut back to their start point. So, I volunteered to drive them back to Glen Ridding from Thirlmere, not a short journey but St. John's in the Vale is always a very nice drive through stunning scenery. They were grateful enough and I wasn't going to lecture them but to take on Striding Edge, late in the day, without adequate clothing or gear or map, for heaven's sake, and knowing little or nothing about the terrain and the risks involved is insane. I suppose it's easy to be brave when ignorant of the dangers involved and luck then plays a vital role in the success of any endeavour. They, it seems to me, were very lucky.
Very many decades ago, aged 21, I found myself ascending Jack's Rake on a damp day in the Langdales during a weekend outing of the University outdoor group. A choice of routes was on offer and I'd picked the Langdale Pikes via Pavey Ark without much of a look at the map; that was the leader's job. I don't think I even knew what a 'scramble' was and at the first sight of Pavey Ark across Stickle Tarn I started to wonder whether this was a good idea.
I must have talked myself into thinking that things can look steeper than they actually are because I went along with the (small) crowd and finally reached the top with a bit of patience, encouragement and help, though my legs were shaking for much of it. The real problem was not the height so much as the exposure; at one particular bit there was only a few feet of convex damp grass slope between the cliffside 'track' and what seemed like a couple of hundred feet of sheer drop - two or three steps that can still nearly bring me out in a cold sweat. And it would have been quite difficult by then to go back down. I don't recall any sense of achievement at the summit, just relief.
Since then I have avoided anything containing the words 'Rake' or 'Edge' in whatever language (crib goch) and enjoy the mountains in much greater safety. The moral of the story for individuals is don't talk yourself into things or go along with the crowd. For group leaders, it is don't just focus on the objective; give as much thought to the team you are leading. In this case a ten minute pre-job brief beforehand, even the day beforehand, would have been a sound idea and probably seen me doing Bowfell instead.
@@danbeech4241 Funnily enough, at the top the walk leader said to me 'You'll have something to tell your grandchildren!'. That wasn't what I was thinking, at least not in that way. Whenever I mention it to anyone, which is rarely, it is always along the lines of 'don't get yourself into this situation'.
Done it a few times now over the years, yes the bad step is... tricky - even the easier side.
Tbh , I wasn't aware of the more difficult one.
I actually find the scramble over the extreme ridge is great fun , always 3 points of contact !
Great informative video 👍
A few years back two of us set off to bag Blencathra via Halls fell ridge. The weather was pretty awful with driving rain but with the promise of better to come. We got up beyond 3/4 with low cloud and visibility down to a few metres only. As it became more ‘craggy’, the rock like ice, and myself leading, I stressed to my companion the need for 3 points of contact at all times, but otherwise we were good. Suddenly, from nowhere I was hit by an overwhelming sense of impending danger and that we immediately needed to abandon and make our way down, which was technically harder than ascending. I’ve never before or since encountered this sense of impending peril despite many years of experience on the fells. Maybe having a family member with me made the difference but always remember the fells will be there for another day, so listen to your gut instinct, or sixth sense if you like, there’s no shame in seeking safety.
Turned back for the same reason. I think my subconscious was literally shouting to turn back, you're being stupid, swallow your ego.
I remember walking Striding Edge with the school CCF in Spring 1971. We had been given new lightweight plastic waterproof ponchos that the Army wanted tested. We were wearing these in rain on Striding Edge when a powerful cross wind suddenly hit us. I was fourth in a line of eight. The ponchos of the three cadets in front of me were ripped off them, leaving only the reinforced collar round their necks. The same happened to the guy immediately behind me. We were probably lucky not to have anyone blown over the edge. The Army never did adopt the new, lightweight, waterproof poncho!
Love how honest and real you are in your videos, very informative.
Excellently put together and delivered Jack. From doing Striding Edge and Sharp Edge myself, Sometimes it just hits you and you lose your head. There’s no shame in turning round.
It’s devastating to think of how it would be to witness or fall down yourself. Respect for making this video mate 👏
Cheers Ben hope you're well mate
All mountains should be respected and as you rightfully say, do what you feel comfortable with. The goal is not just doing the hard parts or completing the whole walk but enjoying the outdoors. The mountains have been there a long time and will be there for you to enjoy agian. Good video and a topic well addressed. Thanks John.
I hope you aren't having any thoughts that any of this has been effected by you. You are right about the peer pressure and people who haven't the ability to hike this Ridge are going up there. And sometimes with the best will in the world, accidents do happen. I'm like Em. There is no way you will get me up any edge that. I get near any edge and I get a Lemming feeling. Just wouldn't even consider it. I'll go up the easy walk. To all those who have lost anyone here or on any mountain you have my condolences. Safety first second and third as far as I'm concerned.
This to me is one of the best "I've made a small mistake" videos, you've went out and tried to improve so well done mate. I've walked in the lakes for years, but the last year or so is the most challenging I've found. More and more people under equipped, no knowledge of weather or timings.....hope it impoves
I think the awareness of mental tiredness along with physical tiredness is so important to keep in mind for reducing risk.
My latest big hike I had a run in with the deadly combo of wet leaves and roots that run parallel with the slope quite near the end of the hike and on the end of an especially tricky and scary section for me. I've got too much imagination when it comes to heights and steep slopes in general to approach those kinds of ridges and edges, but any activity (or inactivity) has risks you have to respect, even if it's just falling on your bum into a pile of leaves.
I dont know how you had problems with, Leave's up on Helvelyn, ,There isn;t any trees up there. !!!! ....PANTS ON FIRE. !!!!!!
@@roymoulton4537 you obviously didnt read the comment properly did you? Maybe an eye test due soon
Boy have you come far! I enjoyed your early videos way way back, and I've watched how well your uploads are looking nowadays. You're much appreciated and you present pretty interesting topics. Much success with your channel! Can't wait to see what you'll do next. Best wishes!
I have crossed Striding Edge and Swirrel Edge quite a few times, the latest being earlier this year. After descending the chimney at the bad step my son and I sat for some refreshments and helped a few folks descend the chimney. What I did notice was that several people went to the right of the chimney over the big drop to Red Tarn and climbed down this way which as you show in your video is much more of a risk than the chimney. In the chimney the holds are plentiful and it funnels you down to good ground whereas to the right it is less clear, greasy, damp and a big drop if you slip. I think as hiking/walking becomes more popular more people are just heading out without doing any research into where they are heading especially on the ridges. This day we had to help at least two people who had ventured right at the bad step and got stuck, luckily we were there to guide them to the better ground. Hopefully, anyone heading up there for the first time watches this video before they go. Take care. Mick
I thank you more than I could ever express for making this video!
My aunt is one of the leading members of Wasdale MRT and has been part of the team for as long as I can remember (I'm 42!).
She visited us here in Bournemouth a couple weeks ago and, as is often the topic of discussion, we spoke about the impact that social media "advertising" of the wilder parts of our country is having - particularly from her point of view as a MRT member.
It is no quietly kept secret that call outs of emergency services are on the rise and that one of the key reasons for this is inexperienced people attempting to emulate what they've seen on social media.
I could speak for hours on the subject! I was taught about the dangers, safety, preparedness etc since I was 4 years old. My father loves the wilderness and was the 1st English born to complete the Munroes in one hit.
I've grown up with the outdoors and my number 1 priority is to always respect it!
Please don't make this a "one-off" video. There's enough videos & posts about these wonderful places to go and see. What is sorely lacking is for those with essential knowledge to impart it so that knowledge is as widely known or accessible as the beautiful & dangerous locations themselves.
I live on the south coast, in Bournemouth, where there is little need or point in making content on safety outdoors.
You live in, and clearly enjoy and are knowledgeable about a beautiful, wild and potentially dangerous place. Share your knowledge & wisdom, it may well save a life!!!
"The fact that you're up there trying it is a win on it's own." Such a great and inspiring quote. Thank you.
I did Striding Edge last year and while I'll admit I've often used that route. I think what catches people out is once you're on the route, it's very hard to actually turn round physically as if it's during tourist season you'll have a line of people behind you so you have to find a way to make space where there isn't really any.
Main thing that I'd be interested to know is what was the weather like during these accidents and what time of year.
A lot of people will just check the met office but not check the dedicated lake district one that gives a break down of the predicted wind conditions at different altitudes. Could be a lovely summer's day in Glenridding but 30-40mph gusts of winds up at striding edge.
Me and my girlfriend are planning a return trip to the lakes in Jan 2023 and I certainly won't be doing striding edge, spring and summer absolutely but autumn and winter? No chance, it's about respecting the mountain and your personal ability.
Another reason why the numbers might be going up is when the first Covid lock down first got lifted, the lakes was the busiest i've ever seen it which brought a lot of inexperienced hikers trying to hike fells in £15 Primark trainers and jeans.
Really well made video and your concern was clearly extremely genuine to me as a first time visit to your channel. I just urge people not to necessarily be turned off the idea of going via striding edge but please please check the wind, temperature and ground conditions at that altitude at the time you predict to arrive, never rush yourself or anyone else and take as long as you need and have decent boots on.
If any part of that feels wrong, turn back and try again another day. Suffering a hit to personal pride is nothing compared to loosing your life
From Canada all the best for 2023 Jack, thank you for all the videos this pass year, look forward to your adventures in the New Year
Well done for making this film 👏🏻. I tried to walk the ridge but turned back when I began to feel that it was beyond my ability. It was sound mountain judgment and while I was disappointed at the time I have now been to the summit a couple of times from Stannah and have loved it.
Very thoughtfully done - appreciate this video. I went over Striding Edge about 12 years ago when I was late thirties and super fit. Was with more experienced walkers (I was more of a fell runner). I felt mildly ridiculous finding SE so challenging, it tested my confidence quite near to my limit. I used pantomime humour to laugh at my vulnerability and deliberately created a bit of comedy scene - this helped prevent panic. Wouldn't bother taking any risk these days. Another thought; weather conditions - obviously! - make a huge difference. Wet rock and having cold hands massively restrict our capabilities. Anyway, go safe everyone and enjoy the great outdoors.
Me and my friend successfully did striding edge a few years ago. There was another group hiking at the same time as us who were fairly experienced and did all of striding edge too, but one fell coming down Swirrall edge and broke his leg. They were there for hours waiting for mountain rescue. The day started out dry and warm but as the day went on it got cold and started raining. The temperature dropped massively. Just goes to show that even after completing the bad step you can still get hurt on the 'easier' section. Always be careful.
I think squirrel edge (going down) is quite deceptive and dodgy. It's easy to get over-confident and make that one misstep. You may only fall a few feet but the terrain is so jagged and unforgiving it will really make you pay for it
Thank you so much Jack for presenting such a balanced message here 👍 particularly that turning back should not be seen as a failure - quite the opposite in fact. It takes more courage to admit you're not comfortable - doing the same in the face of potential peer pressure takes even more. I've wanted to do Sharp Edge and Striding Edge for many years and sadly my arthritic knees mean it's no longer possible. So, I'd encourage those who are able to have a go. But please, please be appropriately equipped. Choose a time when conditions are appropriate, take an experienced person with you and take great care. It definitely does not sound like a "Sunday Stroll".
I found the last scramble to the top the hardest. There's loose shale and a steep incline, just when you're exhausted. The edge itself was fine - a bit of a puzzle to find the right route - but that was in perfect weather. My friend found going down harder than coming up whereas I felt great on the way down!
Oh yes, that last scramble is a bit of a horror! Thank god it was dry when I did it. Had a ‘moment’ clinging to Mother Earth while I got myself together part way up. Character-building stuff eh, ha ha.
Agreed, the edge was fun, the scree was not.
Thanks for sharing this . Helvellyn/Striding Edge was my very first climb around 2010. I was lucky as my companion was a Duke of Edinburgh instructor and had done it a few times before . We'd set off at 5am as it was May and had the assent completely to ourselves with perfect weather. Striding Edge was awesome as I had sound advice with me . We had bfast on the summit to ourselves but could see people ascending in numbers now . Within minutes low cloud and rain surrounded us . Our descent was to be Swirell Edge and I was so pleased to be with an experienced friend . Even so it was concerning . Conditions had changed within minutes . I will never forget the hot shower back at camp .
I was lucky to do Helvellyn and Striding Edge one Easter in the 80s and we had a couple of guys from the Army who were part of the Mountain Rescue team as guides. Got part way along striding edge, bitterly cold and wet and the fog came in so we abandoned it and started descending. Part way along the edge only to meet a solo guy going up in shorts and tee shirt, no warm or waterproof gear. Lesson is to know what you're doing, have the right kit, get some training (e.g. MLTB course)and don't get complacent! Pretty much the same advice I'd give about any past time that has the potential to be lethal.
Excellent video and you have really got very good camera angles. Your advice is perfectly correct, when I’ve been most people appear to take the difficult route down when in fact the south facing side is safer and easier. But really as most people say, don’t go near it unless you are experienced, as its not walking its far more technical .
I did this route back in April this year with a 10kg dog in my backpack ( was easier than carrying her up and down the steepers parts and I could have both hands free to climb over) I made sure the weather wasn’t to windy or wet before setting off. Everyone was helping each other over the edge letting other aware of slippery or lose rocks. Only do what you feel comfortable with. No shame in taking a different route. The mountain will always be there to try again.
Great vid, stumbled across this.
Very responsible to put out this vid on reflection to highlight risk and increase awareness without scaring people off. I think it's always a case of being aware of danger and abilty and making the judgement for yourself, but always look to push your limits when prepared.
Great stuff highlighting the work of mountain rescure too.
You, a touch younger than your present, few, years, had fun putting a video out saying "the whole worlds dangerous, embrace it". Youth should, generally, see life as such. Now, a couple years on, you want to amend that, with what experience has shown you since. Wisdom should always behave as such. Props.
Love the spirit of adventure, and the way you see things. Watching you drop sensors on the strid near took me to tears, would have been my exact instinct on seeing that natural curio. When i was young, i adored documentaries produced by the adventuresome folk themselves, and a collection of vhs with you heading expeditions, and performing whatever rituals of science struck your fancy, would have held a prized place in my collection. So frequently watched the tape would run thin.
The internet is incredible, so many of my old joys are here, freely, like arthur c clarkes mystery world. Thought it would go down as "forgotten media", but almost all of it's held in this electric akashic. When the great library went up, it's said most of the works were checked out, that the Vatican spent centuries claiming, and cloistering, the bulk of what the world think burned away. I think it would take an act of the sun itself to threaten this new wonder. Even then, so much would remain, locked up in the redundancy of the information age.
Lovely comment Ira thank you! Yes these videos help me learn and grow from the experiences i've had in the past. It's nice to have a capsule containing past experiences and be critical of myself and how my opinion has changed over the years. You always feel wise, but you never stop getting wiser. I often think about the bigger picture a lot, and making videos are just a way for me to try understand the bigger picture more. Chatting to people from all over the world in the comments about a subject really does expand my knowledge on that subject.
100% one of the best produced videos Ive seen for a long time .This format really works . Its a dangerous place for sure and since UA-cam etc etc . Its a lot easier to research routes "real time" and people can see if a route suits them etc etc
That was such a great video. I love your honesty about the situation and I think that you have done a fantastic job at giving people good information. Well done!
I also really enjoyed the footage of the scenery. OMG it’s stunning ❤
I've only done Striding Edge and Swirral Edge once. Was a lovely warm day so the crowds were out, and queues forming. Was amazed to see how unprepared people were and how some parents were forcing their, obviously, very scared kids along on these places.
Great advice about turning back. More people need to heed that. Reminds me of a quote by Ed Viesturs: “Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.”
It’s fine to turn around. You are a winner for getting as far as you can feel comfortable. Imagine the feeling the feeling when eventually you do make it after one or many more attempts. Such sweetness. You live to hike another beautiful mountain. It’s the journey that makes you.
Great video. Any outdoors activity has the potential to be dangerous if you take risks, including being underprepared or not respecting the weather conditions. Of course, there’s plain luck to take account of too, but doing your due diligence before setting out can improve your chances of an enjoyable day out. I first tackled Striding Edge as a kid with my Dad, long before we had - as we do today - so many useful, affordable and easy-to-access bits of tech to assist in planning a day out. Thanks to many years’ experience of hiking around the Lakes in his youth, Dad has never been gung-ho or complacent enough to ignore the risks: even when he was a boy, there were all too many sad cautionary examples of accidents to take heed of. It’s not being a buzzkill / killjoy, posting videos like this, nor were you wrong to post your other vid about Striding Edge: it’s possible to have a fantastic time facing and conquering the challenges of the mountains, people shouldn’t be put off for fear of coming to grief. Having said that, everyone who’s interested would do well before they set out to do their homework first, including taking stock of their abilities and making sure as far as possible that they’ve minimised the risks they have any capacity to mitigate. Dad’s aching to have another crack at Helvellyn but, last time we tried around a year ago, the weather was against us and we decided to turn back rather than risk it. Frustrating, but there’s no shame in it and we’re both able to look forward to another opportunity in the future. My heart goes out to the families of those who’ve fallen or got injured. The best respect we can pay to the memory of their lost loved ones is to make sure we keep safety as top priority.
I walked along Striding Edge when I was about 14 years old with my grandparents. It looked a bit daunting to begin with but was quite comfortable once you get on it it seems to grow and feel wider. I remember the wind was whipping over the top and I got very cold.
I did Striding Edge about 10 years ago with my husband. We were both 56. Had only really started hill walking in mid 40's. We went up from Patterdale. All okay until we got to bad step. I just couldn't commit. We turned round and went back. We did feel a bit miffed not to have completed the job. However, it was the most technical walk we had done. We weren't the only ones that day to turn back. We have though got to the summit via Thirlmere.
Good for you for knowing your limitations. I know I can't do very exposed routes, I'd be a danger to myself and others because I can just freeze. But it doesn't stop me loving and enjoying the mountains- there are nearly always alternative routes. I even managed to get onto ( though not along) the Black Cuillin ridge on Skye- I'd even have made it to one of the peaks if some stupid idiot guide hadn't been up on the ridge telling his party at the top of his voice (and therefore anyone else in earshot) about all the falls and dangers he'd known. Note to guides- it's moronic to do that.
@@alisonwilson9749 Thank you. I know there is no way I would consider Black Cuillin ridge. Well done
When I was brand new to fell walking i tackled Scafell Pike and Scafell on one day, then Helvellyn the next. I'd heard about Striding Edge and wanted to do it it but when i got there, the fog was so thick you couldn't see 10m in front of you. It was a quiet mid week day. The out of nowhere this older bloke in his 60s appeared and we did it together. It's largely fine and enjoyable, wider than it looks but you're bang on about the bad step. I didn't know about it at the time, and that was definitely most nerve wracking bit.
Me and my new companion had a good chat on the way down - I didn't even know i'd tackled Swirral Edge - it wasn't anything to worry about. Good content mate. Great work.
Cheers Knight! Yeah i've had that happen too where i buddy up with a complete stranger at the start of a difficult section. Even when i went out to film this video a guy actually walked the edge with me. It's nice that even though you're on your own people are there looking out for you.
@@jackasnacks Great to hear. The hill walking lot are good people
I've been down the bad step about 7 times and have to say I've never really "noticed" it, but always climbing in good August weather. It has always seemed relatively safe to me compared to climbing along the top of the ridge where I have suffered with vertigo.
This is one of the most useful videos one can watch on this topic. Thanks a lot for making it!
Really good advice. I think the rise in incidents is due to far more people visiting places like the lakes following travel restrictions in recent years. I know popularity of these locations has grown massively since covid. As a mountain biker I have seen massive growth in people taking up the sport and many seeking instant success and riding trails they don't have the experience to ride and getting into trouble. I imagine its the same with hikers in the lakes. But your advice it spot on. If your not sure walk away don't feel preassured to do anything your not comfortable with.
I agree. There are so many more people walking in the past two years. It's amazed me. However, many of these people are without either experience or good equipment and clothing. I'm 67, have walked hills all my life, know my limitations and, in particular, I'm very aware of the effect of effort upon muscular fatigue. I wouldn't like to be confused by weariness and stumble along Striding Edge in wet conditions. That's exactly how accidents happen and, bravado aside, it may explain some of the incidents. p.s. I've just read the reports. Lots of ankle injuries (fell runners, improper footwear), exhaustion and inexperienced walkers attempting scrambles without the necessary skills.
Yea this seems to be the most likely cause. Some of my favourite walks became massive queues. Good to see people out but the amount of people in flip flops, without water etc was a bit disconcerting. After you go on a few tougher walks you quickly learn what you need but the amount of people taking on tougher walks as there first “hike” is very high
Indeed- not just more people, but most of those extra people have the least experience. They may have done some walking on holidays abroad, but maybe in places where the weather is kinder/more predictable and the routes not so worn slippy. A college friend from California was taking a trip to the Lakes, I warned her about the dangers, she was surprised, as compared to the mountains she was used climbing the Lakes ones are pretty small. But I explained about the weather being very changeable due to the Lakes being essentially coastal and subject to dangerously rapid weather changes, in visibility as well as snow/rain/wind/hail and that it was necessary to treat the mountains there with respect, and she listened, and was safe. When she got back, she said- 'I see what you mean now!'.
About 55 years ago I did Striding Edge. If I have your description right, going upwards I tackled the bad step on what you've described as the easier side (I turned with my back outwards towards the south, my face inwards to the rock towards the north). Wainwright calls it 'a little awkward'... What an experience, all the same: my blood runs cold as I think of the follies of youth! How glad I am that I came back to Patterdale down Swirral Edge, the ridge on the opposite side of Red Tarn.
I do take your point about not pushing yourself to do anything you don't feel comfortable about. Thank heavens I had the sense NOT to go more than a few feet up Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark in the Langdales: I turned round and did the suitably named Easy Gully instead.
Easy Gully has an awkward lodgestone in it that in the wet requires a boost or a quick belay with a confidence rope to get over safely. At least it did about a decade ago, it may have slid down of course.
Wise words... I've done Striding Edge a few times, and weather and fatigue make a huge difference. I got interested in mountains as an Air Cadet in the '60s, when we did Crib Goch in fog, and found a lone walker who had just died near the top. We called Mountain Rescue and a heli came from RAF Valley, where we were on annual camp and had been clambering all over it the day before.
I put myself down for the ATC's Windermere adventure course. The instructors were superb, with MLCs and aircrew rescue experience, and I loved it. On my third visit, we took on Striding Edge.
The day was crisply cold and sunny, perfect when we started out. Soon after we hit the Edge, there was horizontal sleet in thick cloud, but we were well led, trained and fit. We descended the Bad Step by the chimney, and paused for a Mars bar. And there it all went wrong...
As one of our more experienced lads put his rucksack on his back to start the ascent to the summit, a gust caught it and blew it off his shoulder. It tumbled down the scree and into the fog, spraying its contents like a catherine wheel. A break in the cloud revealed it, jammed against a rock. It was reachable, so three of our party gingerly retrieved it and some of its contents, but it took about 20 minutes for them to get back up - and the wind-chill was bad.
We started the ascent, but the wind soon became very strong, and whipped-up a white-out. One of the instructors decided to glove up, but the wind took one of the gloves. A minute later, we were scrambling on all fours in terrible light, white-out and wind that could blow you off your feet. Without his glove and beginning to get frostbite and hypothermia, and with the vision of the falling rucksack playing on his sense of responsibility, that instructor went out of his mind.
He was gripped by fear. He wouldn't let go of the handholds he found, nor move his feet. He shook and cried, and was inconsoleable. We did our best to soothe him, but we had to rescue him or we would all die of hypothermia. I forced his hands and feet, one at a time, onto new holds, while others pulled him from above and pushed him from below - all the way to the plateau.
We followed a bearing to the shelter at the top, where he calmed down as we had hot drinks from flasks. This weather would kill us, so we didn't dally. Unable to see the top of the cliff, we used time and bearing to locate Swirral Edge, and we got him along it and made our way back to sunny Glenridding.
I never heard him speak again. We all survived, but he had lost his mind. I grew up that day. I learned about fear, leadership and mental health crisis. It had been a formative day for me.
I took my family up, 20 years later. It's a fine walk for a summer's day. But I saw how close I'd been to a cornice that was invisible in the white-out.
If you like exposure and skiing arrêtes, I recommend the Grande Couloir at Courchevel - but mind the step.
Wow. Thanks for this. What an experience.
I saw your older video and liked it at the time. This addition is excellent.
Years ago I came here week after week to get some training to walk up Galdhøpiggen, Norway's highest mountain. Galdhøpiggen is also partly a ridge walk so Striding Edge was a good test as I didn't make it up Galdhøpiggen at just over 8,000.
I found Striding Edge very tricky, didn't like it really. In fact it is a whole lot harder than the ridge walk up Galdhøpiggen so to anyone who has been up there, good on you, it's not simple. The fear anyone may have is good, anyone that thinks it's a piece of cake should not be tackling this climb with that attitude.
By the way, I did get up Galdhøpiggen years later, several times and wow, what a view from the top.
Great commentary. I have recently completed striding edge, and whilst I did not have an issue (having undertaken many ridges/ solo climbing) there was a small group on the 'bad step' that was having issues. Part of the group bravely turned back. The fact is that many people go to the popular climbs and do not have the experience/ equipment/ have done any research. Striding edges should not be tackled in poor conditions. one missed footing on the 'bad step' in wet conditions can throw you off. Well-prepared hill walkers in good conditions who respect the mountains will have little to fear.
I walked Striding Edge several times back in the 70's. A few years ago I returned to walk it and what really shocked me were the crowds. There was basically a queue to get onto the ridge. I can only assume the accidents might be related to the number of people attempting it, and the inevitable increase in badly equipped and inexperienced walkers.
It's like that at Grib Goch now too, problem is the amount of people that attempt it have no experience whatsoever then freeze on the ridge in fear preventing flow causing people to get impatient and then try and get round in narrow places!
Very good video. Your message at the end of the video is the key and that is something everyone should remember going to these places . Thank you for the informative video.
It's also interesting how much a region's mountaineering/climbing culture can impact the dangerous nature of a section. I live in Vancouver, Canada, and we have a really strong mountaineering/hiking/climbing culture, and I've done sections with hundreds of hikers per day on scrambles far more exposed and tricky than The Bad Step, but it's really about how experienced the hiker is. It's hard to push yourself to tackle a big hike, but it's harder to acknowledge that something is too risky for your skill level and to decide to turn back.
As a teenager in the 1980s we tried to descend via Striding Edge off Helvellyn and couldn't find the path. Came down Swirral Edge instead, which was exhilarating enough with a full pack (we were walking from hostel to hostel). It looked so daunting that I never tried it again. Clearly the first time you walk it you should ascent Helvellyn via the Edge, not descend. Fast forward 30+ years and my daughter wanted to do some real rock scrambles, so my desire to show her some exciting scrambling meant I walked Striding Edge, from Patterdale, for the first time in my life in my late 50s. She loved it, I felt the height a bit daunting but spurred on by her we made it. We negotiated the Bad Step in the way advised in the video. The only issue I had was when we reached the top of Helvellyn she had a total energy melt down. The energy expended on the climb really hit her (she was 13). We had to eat all our sandwiches and chocolates, and even had some friendly walkers give her stuff to keep her energy up. Getting down Swirral Edge was a bit tricky but we got back to Patterdale where she collapsed on her bed and sleep all the way through to the next morning. Having loved the Lake District since first being taken there by the school from Birmingham, to actually do such a fantastic walk with my daughter is one of the best memories of my life.
Just recently done Striding Edge for the first time in over 30 years. Solo leaving Patterdale at 5am I had whole place to self. With a low cloud and a steady wind from the left there was a few times I questioned myself. I actually started down the wrong side of bad step but couldn't find footholds so came back up then discovering the better side. I will do it again. But maybe in the summer ☀️
Thank you, Jack, another great video and I believe it is probably the most important video you made, so far!!
Nice one VK yeah this one felt more purposeful! Enjoyed putting it together!
Dogs and Instagram share plenty of blame IMO
This is a brilliant video and there should be more to promote hill/mountain safety as fell walking is more popular now than ever. I've been up Helvellyn perhaps 10 times but only got to the summit via Striding Edge once. The day I had was perfect blue sky with no strong winds only a breeze, so I got very lucky indeed. I can imagine it being quite treacherous in the wet and wind and not something I would attempt even as a fairly experienced walker. I know people much more experienced than me who found Striding Edge terrifying so I approached it with a lot of caution. I positioned myself to let an older group pass me as I was on my own that day. I think it is important to go at your own pace and not to be tempted to rush just because there are more experienced or able people about. As I had a perfect weather day I felt pretty safe for most of the Edge, but there was one or two spots where stepping down I knew a mistake could be pretty nasty. So again best to take your time. The Bad Step I was a little bit apprehensive about, but got to watch the group that had previously passed me descend it and took my time picking a route down it. Horrible to hear about the tragedies that have happened here and my heart goes out to the families affected. Great advice about finding the courage to turn yourself around if you don't feel confident or safe. I've applied that advice on several occasions myself. There's no shame in turning back and getting home in one piece. Sometimes it's harder to do so. Once again, thanks for the great video.
I have been visiting Patterdale for the last 20 years and have been up the Edge about half a dozen times, in Sun, rain snow and fog, I like to think I am reasonably experienced, but, you have to treat it with total and utter respect. I was up there about 3 years ago and met some lads from Liverpool who were attempting it from the Hole in the Wall, it was about 2.30pm in November and they had yet to start the ascent, they had one rucksack between them and only trainers on their feet, I cautioned them about trying it but they said they’d be OK. I heard later that the Patterdale team had to go out, whether it was them or not I don’t know, I climb mostly on my own so I am not influenced by anyone else. I have one memory of being up there in fog, I met a man and his wife, who was a bit nervous, but she managed the climb. There were a couple of lads ahead of us who reached the shelter before us, when we arrived we were asked if we would like some Jasmine tea, a lovely finish to a hairy climb
Did striding edge a good 10 or 11 years ago, it seemed fairly safe overall, high exposure in places definitely but highly enjoyable. Picked a day when the weather was dry and not too windy but wouldn't have attempted it if it were wet and/or windy. I thought sharp edge on Blencathra and Crib goch in N.Wales were much more exposed and tricky having done both those routes since then. Also, since covid there are a lot more people out and about doing these types of route who are not necessarily kitted out and experienced/careful enough and wandering into situations that they aren't prepared for, either physically or mentally. People couldn't get abroad for holidays for a long time and stayed in the UK instead. Could be why the big increase in incidents the past 2 years...just simply a higher influx of people who wouldn't have done UK hillwalking otherwise..
Great video! Preaching responsible caution is definitely the way forward and although in the short term people will be disappointed with small failures they will come to admire the challenges and breathtaking beauty of the fells with a greater regard. I remember reading a walk in a Wainwright book where he says something along the lines of "If you can get your right leg vertically above your head whilst your left leg remains on the floor then this is the route for you, otherwise leave the strenuous tasks to the young and keen and take the easier route to the top - the view is the same regardless of the challenge." Which sums it up well really. These days I leave striding edge to the tourists and whippersnappers and go off the back from Grasmere to the steps at Thirlmere. Dollywagon Pike is a fairer challenge for me at nearly 40 and I much prefer encountering Helvellyn as a massif rather than a hike to a ridge walk - and who could say fairer than lunch by Grisedale tarn, eh.
On the third day of a hike across the lakes, I was ontop of Hellvelyn trying to decide which route to continue with. My bag usually comes in around 13KG so I imagine it was something like that. Rain was intermittent and mist was very thick, so I was on the fence about taking the easier route north towards Thirlmere, but someone on the summit said it's not a dodgy descent and I should have a good time. Whilst this was true for me, I have a lot of experience climbing and hiking multi-day trips.... I have to admit there were moments where I lost footing and my heart missed a few beats. I remember resting about halfway quite eager to see the descent end. I was pretty tired and my legs pickup a bit of a wobble after 72 hours of climbing and descending with no proper rest in the tent... but even so, I do wonder about the fella who advised me it'd be no bother even in those conditions. He didn't know my confidence or experience levels... coulda been a lot worse for someone else.
I was guided down the bad step by a climbing instructor. Thanks, guy!
I think Sharp Edge is more technically difficult as the last part of it can catch you out - I guess there’s quite a few factors involved in any climb though…(fitness/ weather/ vertigo/ anxiety/ footwear)..
The big slab on sharp edge near the end man... bum shuffle material in the rain
@@barterinn123 bum squeak material too 😂
I’ve always found Sharp Edge OK in favourable conditions, though it’s hellishly polished nowadays and I wouldn’t do it in the wet!! I once had a friend turn back before the steep final ascent, as he found just the appearance of it too overwhelming - but the sections before that are more technical I think and he’d managed those reasonably OK.
Sharp Edge is really sound rock. Striding was more flaky, especially the end scramble.
Thank you for another sobering video. The last time I visited the Lake District was 1978. It’s a very beautiful place. I know of ridge walks in New Zealand that have taken lives. I prefer streets! A wander along the Embankment in London or down Pitt Street in Sydney is enough for me. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
I was walking the Skye Trail, and when we came to the bad step on that trail we were in for a nasty surprise. We are Americans who’d never heard the term “bad step” before and had no idea the seriousness that term conveyed. Tackling what we would call “4th class terrain” with 40lb packs was terrifying and could have been a potentially fatal mistake.
Thanks for putting this out there. Showing people the challenges and walking through the risks and the best approaches to mitigate those risks really can save lives… and for visitors it can help illuminate what to expect in ways a verbal description can’t
English understatement but also British climbing ethics where you are assumed to be responsible enough to make your own decisions.
Whatever you do in life, stretch your scope by all means, but know and respect your limitations. I used to do a fair amount of hill walking but I assert here and now that I would never attempt anything approaching Striding Edge. You see, I know I suffer from vertigo and it doesn't take a lot of imagination to appreciate that I would not only be putting my own life in danger but also the lives of the volunteer MRT members. I won't do it.
My brother fell from striding edge in 2020 and mountain rescue was called, luckily he wasn’t too badly injured but was airlifted to hospital. Was terrifying, but it was OUR fault as we did not wear suitable gear/clothes to tackle it.
My Dad has told me about the time he "walked" along windy, snow covered striding edge in the winter (it was more crawling than walking) when on a narrow bit he felt was quite dangerous he was passed by a local chap who merrily strolled by on his morning walk.
It sounds and looks like a fun excursion for folks who know their limits, I hope to walk striding edge some day.
I'm a Wild Camper and even though I may go near Striding Edge, I would most likely Wild camp around the lake below Striding Edge and not go up to the Edge. I was in a coma when 21 years old for several weeks abroad and have brain damage. Because of this when I'm on a height I get dizzy, lose balance and usually fall unconscious. I know my limitations, and know that I have no right to risk the lives of Mountain Rescue for my bad judgement! I know I can experience seeing Striding Edge above me and have a nice wild camp over night without any risk. That is good enough for me. KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS AND NEVER ALLOW PEER PRESSURE TO MAKE YOU DO SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT CONFIDENT ABOUT DOING! Fantastic video, well presented Thankyou, Liked and Subscribed!
Thanks for your thoughts. I did Striding Edge a few years ago. I my opinion you shouldn’t attempt the traverse unless you have an experienced hill walker with you. On the day that I went I overheard a Swiss tourist saying that you have to go above 2 - 3000 meters altitude in the Alps to find similar terrain.
Yep- I heard the same sort of thing from a Californian friend- the mountains here are smaller than 'hers', but more treacherous- due to worn routes and changeable weather.
The best cure for adventure seeking is adventure lol. For my life, I don't understand why people do it, however much i relish their videos and stories! Apart from it seeming to be largely people who are "very experienced" hikers or climbers that end up dying, no amount of preparation can truly be enough to face these weather-ruled, wild places. I very much appreciate your sounding an alarm, and more knowledge for those insistent upon the journey is never a bad thing!
Intelligence not tempered with wisdom always proves dangerous and frequently fatal...We can see that all around us, and is by far the biggest threat individually and to our species as a whole..If we choose to mature, remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking...This is a good analogy of where we are as a civilization/species, I'd say we've chosen the wrong path and are striding the edge...Of course I don't expect many to understand, but by the end of this decade, I suspect, everyone will understand to some degree...
A very responsible video. Thank you and well done!
I think possibly the reason for the higher death and incident toll is due to the number of videos out there showing beautiful edges in their best light and people don’t realise the nature of what they’re taking on.
When conditions change people are often unprepared and untrained in the conditions they find themselves.
I’ve done many of the edges, Striding Edge, Crib Goch, Aonach Eagach etc. All of them are so very different depending on the conditions and can change very rapidly. I’ve had to guide people a number of times in a number of places. I’ve also often advised people to turn back as I can see they’re ill-equipped and ill-prepared. They seldom do!
Over 20 years ago I used to take a friend winter mountaineering in Scotland and advised him and guided him. Unfortunately, after I had moved away, that same friend carried on winter mountaineering with other friends thinking he was experienced, which he was and trained, which he wasn’t!
The sad end to the story is that his friend slipped to his death from Aonach Mor on New Year’s Eve in about 1996. He had crampons with him but had never used them before and when on the hill found that they didn’t fit his boots as they were designed for stiff boots but he had bendy boots. Rather than turn back they continued and summited. Trying to negotiate the north descent became treacherous with ice and Paul sadly slipped to his death.
Why am I telling you this story? I think this is now what happens with all the videos out there. People believe they are experienced because they watch a few videos.
Great video. I live in Wigton. I am 47 and have walked in the lakes for about 40 years.
I have only ever been over Striding Edge once!
It honestly scared me a bit. This isn’t what I seek from my walking.
I have three boys; one of the greatest times we had together was on Sharp edge Blencathera.
You are correct you have to respect these places.
I think it’s good that you are advising people to simply be mindful and to be aware
Ello Jimmy, i drive through Wigton all the time lol. Apprecaite the comment. Sharp Edge is epic i have a video on that one too. Hope you're enjoying your weekend mate
i have done crib goch in snowdonia which was hair raising to say the least but awesome ,my partner froze half way along so i had a bad situation, happily i talked her through it and we both made it safely . when i went to striding edge it gave me the willies and i simply went for an amazing relaxing walk on the adjacent ridge. i was not disappointed. Don't give in to your ego is my advice. and never ever over estimate the level of ability of any companions you have with you . I have done lots of moutain walking over the years and got quite confident until a fall on sardinia, where i was over turned by an unstable rock and thrown down a scree slope,No broken bones but a humbling experience .I thought i was in control , but control is an illusion !
You should be on the TV presenting the outdoors, you said everything that should be said and done, another fantastic video keep them coming. 👍
I have assisted several people of the mountains, most were inexperienced and ill-equipped for the walk they were walking. Its very sad that this happens. God bless the mountain rescue
incredibly well balanced advice. The balance between risk and safety is a deeply personal choice. It's very difficult to apply a 'one size fits all approach'. Many thanks from Cornwall.
Hello Cornwall 😊 thanks for checking it out Paul love hearing where folk are from!
@@jackasnacks been following your channel since 'the scary river thing' Very high standard. ATB.
I’m 70 and last year decided to walk up Helvelyn on my own with the intention of going Striding Edge.
Good sense prevailed and I eventually decided to take the route up from Thirlmere.
I’m glad I did.
Great film as always
(Striding edge is a challenge and sketchy especially when wet )
Fair play for flagging up the consequences of too much Ego or bluster🙌🙌
Best wishes Simon 🙏🏼😊🏔
Cheers Simon, it was weighing me down a bit, i feel much better now i have this video available. My hope is that first timers type striding edge into google and they find this video and in turn go up with a bit more knowledge and keep themselves safe!
@@jackasnacks Nicely done 🏔👍😊
Thank you so much. I am a 40 something Fell walker aware of my own limitations and not the fittest of people I will confess. I walk with my son, coming up to 16 and the name of the game is to finish the walk in one piece. I've been debating whether to give striding edge a go. I see lots of comments about how it is basically fine, I think from your video and advice I may well give it a miss. I don't need to either watch my son fall or have him pick up the pieces if I do. If he wants to do it with other, fitter folks than I at some time he can, but know your limits, and this may be beyond mine. Thank you for an informative and honest video
I get vertigo wearing two pairs of socks.
I moved to the lakes a year ago and Helvellyn became a solid favourite of mine, but I only tackle Striding in good conditions. My first time I was a little apprehensive but the weather was beautiful and we just took our time, judged every single step, coached each other through and had a great time! I can't wait to go back!
I hasten to add my first experience at Striding was only a few months after my first experience at Crib Goch so admittedly once I was on the edge it didn't feel quite as nerve-wracking as Crib haha
Good short documentary mate, well put together. Numbers on the hills post lockdown have definitely increased, more inexperienced people will sadly equal more accidents, incorrect footwear and dropping off the crest off the ridge to avoid a scramble and find themselves on awkward wet terrain. My friend and I got a bit displaced on Crib Goch. Can happen to the best of us, so you shouldn't underestimate these ridges.
Great comment, I agree 100%. Too many people think of mountains as an ' Alton Towers' in the hills. In the Lakes and the Alps, I have seen people attempting dangerous climbs, ski runs etc with inadequate equipment and lack of skills and lack of preparation and training. The attitude is too often 'I'll give it a go' without any understanding of what is required and a realistic evaluation of the danger involved. Perhaps ridiculous tv programmes encourage people to try things which are beyond their present abilities. As a ski instructor in the Alps, I am ashamed to say that the English tend to be the worst! We need more videos like this to make people more aware of challenges like this. I have experienced the same on Crib Goch ridge too! Scary!
@@languagetruthandlogic3556 you have to start somewhere, but I also think map and compass skills are a dying art. I know myself I end up switching to GPS, but I can understand the map on the screen as its the same on the paper map.
i did the edge many years ago, and loved it! But it was done with all the safety gear, footwear etc, and the knowledge of how to use it.
People these days have the misconception that with the advent of mobile phones, GPS, they are invincible. Too protected when young, never being allowed to use sharp knives in case you cut yourself, keep safe in all situations mentality. It pays to let very young people take some risks, and that is the way they learn.
I remember coming down Crib Goch with an SAS mate in the snow and on thick glazed ice. The conditions (in February) at the summit were arctic, and we had crampons on Even so we were only just staying upright when we met two young guys and a girl heading up. They were all dressed in light anoraks, two were wearing trainers and jeans, and the girls was similar, but in wellingtons!! No provisions with them at all!
We turned them back. We had only just said goodbye to the helicopter which we had called to extract a climber suffering from a diabetic coma from just below the summit, and these three were prime candidates for a tragedy.
The trickiest bit for many people is being completely honest with themselves regarding their actual abilities vs. their egocentric abilities. Nobody wants to be the coward but there is nothing cowardly about honesty when it pertains to safety. Lovely video
Vaccine injury perhaps?
@user-og2qk4vu5gutter shite (cumbria accent)
I crossed Striding Edge twice when I was an undergrad. The first time in a group, five of us, the second time alone. This was in 1983 and 1984. The weather was snowy the first time, the second occasion was in summer. I have no idea how I did it since I suffer from severe vertigo which has only gotten worse the older I become. The second time alone, it was a sort of zen experience as I recall. Something that day in me was so in tune with nature. I have always found mountains and hills spiritual places. But I would totally agree with caution. On one other occasion we had the opportunity to make for Striding Edge but the weather was drizzly and it did not feel right so we turned back, fully aware of what was involved in a crossing. You do need to be sensibly equipped, weather-proofs and good boots not to mention snacks to boost energy. ( and a decent lunch packed). And fit enough. Which basically means experience of walking hills and mountains, and being able to haul yourself up 2000+ feet just to begin. So good luck to those who want to give it a go - but always be careful and sensible. I shan"t for many reasons be able to manage that kind of stuff ever again sadly-wise but a bit of contemplation of place does take me back.
Great advice, i did the bad step, right sidetone last step down is long and stretching, also to the right at the bottom is a wobbly rock. My son took the easier side and a guy in front of him slipped and fell a bit causing him some pain, but nothing major. Every mountain needs to be approached with caution, and if it feels wrong don't continue is what i say, don't push it, know your limits and go from there.
Excellent advice which should be essential watching for everyone thinking of doing this route. Also, if you choose to go along the somewhat safer Swirral Edge opposite, you can get some very cool pictures of people on striding edge!