Blencathra via Hall's Fell Ridge & Sharp Edge - Thursday 14 November 2024
Route
Threlkeld - Fell Side - Gategill Farm - Gate Gill - Hall's Fell Ridge - Blencathra - Scales Tarn - Sharp Edge - Blencathra - Gategill Fell - Blease Fell (Knowe Crags) - Threlkeld
Parking
Threlkeld Cricket Club on the A66 (Charge). The Grid Reference is NY 3254 2541 and the nearest postcode is CA12 4TZ. If coming from Keswick the access point is via a filter lane just after the turning into Threlkeld.
Mileage
7 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout
Hall's Fell Ridge
It is stressed that the ascent of the upper reaches of Hall's Fell is classed as a Grade 1 Scramble and due to the nature of the slate rock it can be extremely hazardous when wet. It is advisable to stay on the side paths under these conditions. In snow and ice the ridge is a sustained Winter Grade 1 climb.
Sharp Edge
Sharp Edge is a Grade 1 Scramble and care should be taken along the arete. It is not for those who suffer from vertigo and it is also worth noting that there are no straightforward routes along the ridge and scrambling cannot be avoided. In the right conditions (as we had today) and with the necessary supervision it is great fun but in no way should it be attempted in high winds and ice and then only by experienced mountaineers with the correct kit. Rain, snow, ice and wind transform Sharp Edge from an exciting route that most hill walkers with a head for heights can tackle to a slippery and difficult scramble.
Weather
Perfect - wall to wall sunshine, dry and no wind
Time Taken
6hrs 35mins
Total Ascent
3300ft (1006m)
Wainwrights
1
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes (North Eastern Area)
Walkers
Dave & Angie with Nicky Oliver, Sara Boyle & Trev Bailey
Threlkeld - Fell Side - Gategill Farm - Gate Gill - Hall's Fell Ridge - Blencathra - Scales Tarn - Sharp Edge - Blencathra - Gategill Fell - Blease Fell (Knowe Crags) - Threlkeld
Parking
Threlkeld Cricket Club on the A66 (Charge). The Grid Reference is NY 3254 2541 and the nearest postcode is CA12 4TZ. If coming from Keswick the access point is via a filter lane just after the turning into Threlkeld.
Mileage
7 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout
Hall's Fell Ridge
It is stressed that the ascent of the upper reaches of Hall's Fell is classed as a Grade 1 Scramble and due to the nature of the slate rock it can be extremely hazardous when wet. It is advisable to stay on the side paths under these conditions. In snow and ice the ridge is a sustained Winter Grade 1 climb.
Sharp Edge
Sharp Edge is a Grade 1 Scramble and care should be taken along the arete. It is not for those who suffer from vertigo and it is also worth noting that there are no straightforward routes along the ridge and scrambling cannot be avoided. In the right conditions (as we had today) and with the necessary supervision it is great fun but in no way should it be attempted in high winds and ice and then only by experienced mountaineers with the correct kit. Rain, snow, ice and wind transform Sharp Edge from an exciting route that most hill walkers with a head for heights can tackle to a slippery and difficult scramble.
Weather
Perfect - wall to wall sunshine, dry and no wind
Time Taken
6hrs 35mins
Total Ascent
3300ft (1006m)
Wainwrights
1
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes (North Eastern Area)
Walkers
Dave & Angie with Nicky Oliver, Sara Boyle & Trev Bailey
GPX File
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Route Map
Blencathra from the Cricket Club Car Park
This route is one of the finest walks in Lakeland and (in my opinion) is certainly the best way to climb Blencathra. It visits the summit twice and encompasses the two fantastic ridge walks of Hall's Fell Ridge & Sharp Edge. The conditions today could not have been more perfect - no wind, sunshine and completely dry rock.
This route is one of the finest walks in Lakeland and (in my opinion) is certainly the best way to climb Blencathra. It visits the summit twice and encompasses the two fantastic ridge walks of Hall's Fell Ridge & Sharp Edge. The conditions today could not have been more perfect - no wind, sunshine and completely dry rock.
Looking to Clough Head from the Car Park with the bonus of a cloud inversion
Crossing the A66 the route heads into the village of Threlkeld and then turns right down Fell Side
Approximately 1/4 of a mile along Fell Side a way marked track on the left heads towards Gategill Farm
Gategill Farm which is the home of the Blencathra Foxhounds
The Blencathra Foxhounds are one of the five well known foot packs of the fell country and are called locally “John Peel’s” pack because they cover the territory hunted by John Peel. In the pack are many hounds descended from famous hounds hunted by John Peel and the territory covered by the hunt.
John Peel is the famous Cumbrian Huntsman of Caldbeck and not the former Radio 1 DJ
The Blencathra Foxhounds are one of the five well known foot packs of the fell country and are called locally “John Peel’s” pack because they cover the territory hunted by John Peel. In the pack are many hounds descended from famous hounds hunted by John Peel and the territory covered by the hunt.
John Peel is the famous Cumbrian Huntsman of Caldbeck and not the former Radio 1 DJ
After leaving the farm buildings the route passes through a gate and crosses Gate Gill. Our path can be seen zig zagging up the fell side to the centre right.
And off we go up Hall's Fell Ridge as we look back to Clough Head and the North Western Fells
The Mell Fells (Great & Little) with Cross Fell, Little Dun Fell & Great Dun Fell in the distance over to the left
The lower section of Hall's Fell. The gradient is fairly gentle at first and ascends the fell via a series of zig zags.
As we gained height the inversion was starting to dissipate, however St John's in the Vale was still under cloud
Looking across to Blea Crags on Gategill Fell
To the right are the ridges of Doddick Fell & Scales Fell
Looking back down the first part of Hall's Fell Ridge from Narrow Edge. This is an easy section and a pleasant introduction as to what lies ahead.
The upper section of Hall's Fell Ridge is known as Narrow Edge. Whilst it looks quite daunting from here, on a windless, dry day this is an exhilarating scramble. It can be made as easy or as hard as you like as the crest of the ridge is a series of low crags and pinnacles, however these can be avoided by using the side paths.
Another view of Doddick Fell and Scales Fell with the Pennines beyond - this time from higher up on Narrow Edge
The upper section of Doddick Fell
Looking down into Gate Gill
Looking down Narrow Edge from the final approach to Blencathra's summit
Hallsfell Top, the summit of Blencathra now in view
The superb view over Threlkeld and Keswick to the North Western Fells
The final few yards of Hall's Fell Ridge to reach the summit
Looking down Hall's Fell Ridge from the summit of Blencathra
The adjoining ridge to Gategill Fell from just below Blencathra's summit
The replacement Trig base that marks the summit of Blencathra
Skiddaw from the summit of Blencathra
A group selfie on the summit of Blencathra - Trev, Nicky, Sara & yours truly
From the summit we would now be heading Scales Tarn via the path to Doddick & Scales Fell. The fell over to the left is Atkinson Pike.
Doddick Fell with Scales Fell over to the left and Souther Fell beyond
Dropping down to Scales Tarn from the summit of Blencathra can be done via two paths that converge to the right of centre. We took the lower and the northern of the two paths.
Heading down to Scales Tarn, Sharp Edge comes into view over to the left
Sharp Edge above Scales Tarn - the access path to the arête can be seen to the right
The headwall of Tarn Crags on Blencathra from the descent to Scales Tarn
Reflections in Scales Tarn as we reach the valley floor below Sharp Edge
After a quick breather at the tarn we began our ascent up to the start of Sharp Edge
Sharp Edge from the start of the arête - perfect conditions today
Bannerdale Crags above the Glenderamackin valley with Bowscale Fell to the left and White Horse Bent to the right
The head of the Glenderamackin Valley looking to High Pike, Bowscale Fell, Carrock Fell & Bannerdale Crags
The start of the scramble on Sharp Edge
Looking back to my walking companions as they make their way up towards me on the first section
Looking up to the end point of Sharp Edge - it doesn't look far but there was lots of fun to be had before we topped out
A little further along the arête and the going starts to get more technical - there is a side path if walkers want to avoid this particular part
At least they are still smiling!
Nicky, Sara & Trev wander along the top of the arête - dry rock and no wind makes this so much easier. The side path can be seen below to the left.
Nearing the section called "The Bad Step" the ridge becomes a little wider before narrowing once more
I wait at the Bad Step whilst Nicky, Sara & Trev make their way towards me
The beginning of the Bad Step section - it is here that one needs to concentrate, particularly if the rock is damp
Looking back to the Bad Step on Sharp Edge - the 12 or so feet of rock is exposed on one side. In perfectly dry and windless conditions there is no issue getting across however when the slab of rock in the foreground is wet or greasy then extreme care needs to be taken.
With the Bad Step now negotiated we climb the last few feet of exposed rock to reach the last part of the climb
With a section of about 75 yards left to top out on the summit plateau, the scramble is up a vertical tower of rock. The best way to climb this section is to go straight up the centre gully where there are plenty of hand holds and steps. The route to the left is best avoided.
Meanwhile Angie had come up Blencathra via Blease Fell and was waiting for us at the top of the climb - I can be seen below having just come out of the gully.
Having negotiated the delightful scramble up the gully we were now only a few yards from the summit
Below are 3 videos that encompass some of the transit across the arête. The first two were taken by Trev and the last one from the summit plateau by Angie (Click Play to view).
Below are 3 videos that encompass some of the transit across the arête. The first two were taken by Trev and the last one from the summit plateau by Angie (Click Play to view).
Having topped out from Sharp Edge all that is left to reach the summit is a half a mile gentle wander
The White Cross just above the path to the summit from Sharp Edge north of The Saddle
On a good day the White Cross can clearly be seen from Blencathra's summit. The cross is made up of many crystallised white stones and owes its existence to Harold Robinson of Threlkeld. The original cross was much smaller than this and was first placed here to commemorate a walker who lost his life on an adjacent rough slope. Mr Robinson collected more stones of locally veined quartzite and extended the cross to its present size. (Blencathra 33)
On a good day the White Cross can clearly be seen from Blencathra's summit. The cross is made up of many crystallised white stones and owes its existence to Harold Robinson of Threlkeld. The original cross was much smaller than this and was first placed here to commemorate a walker who lost his life on an adjacent rough slope. Mr Robinson collected more stones of locally veined quartzite and extended the cross to its present size. (Blencathra 33)
The summit of Blencathra for the second time today
Heading for Gategill Fell from Blencathra's summit
The summit of Gategill Fell looking to Blencathra with Atkinson Pike over to the left
Skiddaw from Gategill Fell
From Gategill Fell we headed further along the ridge to Knowe Crags, the summit of Blease Fell
Shadows of our former selves as we head to Blease Fell
Gategill Fell & Blencathra from Knowe Crags
Knowe Crags, the summit of Blease Fell
At Grid Reference NY 30670 26457 a path leaves to the left which would return us to the valley above Blease Farm
Threlkeld below to the left with Clough Head, The Dodds & the Helvellyn range beyond
Looking up to Blencathra from the approach to Blease Gill
Threlkeld now in full view below
Crossing Blease Gill
A footbridge crosses back over the gill a little further down the slope
Exiting the woodland on to Blease Road
The end of Blease Road - we would be turning to the right and availing ourselves of a pleasant debrief in Threlkeld Village Hall
Threlkeld Village Hall which houses a very good cafe at the rear of the building
Debrief over we headed back to the Cricket Club passing The Horse & Farrier - we were tempted but didn't bite!