Blencathra via Sharp Edge & Hall's Fell Ridge - Saturday 4 August 2018
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Route
Parking Mileage Terrain Weather Time Taken Total Ascent Wainwrights Map |
Scales - Scales Tarn - Sharp Edge - Blencathra (Hallsfell Top) - Hall's Fell Ridge - Gategill - Scales
Parking at the lay by on the A66 at Scales Green or The White Horse Inn (Free) - Grid Ref's NY339267 & NY344269 6 miles Good mountain paths throughout. Sharp Edge and the Hall's Fell Ridge are Grade 1 Scrambles and care should be taken along both aretes. Sharp Edge itself 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, snow 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. Under snow and ice both ridges are assessed as sustained Winter Grade 1 climbs Sunny and warm with very good visibility and no wind. 5hrs 50mins 2703ft (824m) 1 OL5 - The English Lakes (North Eastern Area) |
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GPX File
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Walk Description
Blencathra (also known as Saddleback) is an iconic mountain. Sitting alongside the A66, it is easily accessible via a myriad of routes, both easy and challenging. The mountain has several contrasts and as you drive along the A66 towards Keswick the southern face looks like a giant hand has scooped out the earth to leave several deep gullies. Meanwhile the northern side slopes gently into a grassy, moorland abyss. We have crawled all over this Lakeland classic and perhaps one of the best ways up is via the shattered, knife-edge arête known as Sharp Edge. If Sharp Edge is to be the route of choice then save the ascent for a windless, dry and clear day - devoid of strong gusts, ice and snow unless you are experienced in these conditions and in turn have the right kit.
We were out with Lakeland Meet Ups today and Angie was hoping to conquer Sharp Edge whilst I would take Fudge up the popular Scales Tarn path and meet the group on the summit ridge - the arête of Sharp Edge is no place for dogs in my opinion. The group convened at the lay-by near Scales Green, just a few hundred yards west of the popular Lakeland hostelry, The White Horse. The lay-by provides parking for about 10 cars but there is more parking available a little further up the A66 and also at the pub who do not seem to mind you parking in their Car Park for free. If you do park there then perhaps repay their hospitality by popping in for a post walk drink or meal - believe me it is a cracking pub (White Horse website link here).
From Scales Green a gate gives access to the fell side and the path heads gently uphill above the pub before steepening in gradient above Mousthwaite Comb. The steepness levels out eventually and the remainder of the route to Scales Tarn is on a flat and rocky path and provides fine views ahead to Sharp Edge and east to White Horse Bent & Souther Fell. At Scales Beck the gradient increases and after a short pull we arrived at the beautiful Scales Tarn where we regrouped for a short break. Myself and Helen plus our dogs then headed up to the left on the Scales Tarn path whilst everybody else made their way up the good path to the base of Sharp Edge.
As I made the ascent to the summit ridge I could see the group making their way across the arête. With Helen's blessing, I cracked on with the intention to get up on top of the ridge as soon as I could in order to see everybody make their way over the shattered rock and up the final climb - thankfully I was up there in plenty of time. One by one they negotiated the notorious section known as "The Bad Step" - a short steep drop followed by a short pull up over exposed rock. All looked to be thoroughly enjoying the experience and whilst there were 16 people on the arête at one time, there were several experienced climbers in our group who had completed the transit before and therefore were able to ensure all of the group were safe. It was extremely gratifying to see everyone safely negotiate the final 100 yards or so up the steep rock face where there is plenty of hand on rock scrambling to do - for some of our group their journey over Sharp Edge today was a personal milestone. Once we had regrouped we then walked along the ridge to Hallsfell Top, the recognised summit of Blencathra. Whilst we did not do it today, it is worth a short detour over to Atkinson Pike and the White Cross of Stones - a path leads to the summit from both points.
After a brief stop for lunch it was now time to make our descent and what better way to get back down to the valley floor than via Hall's Fell Ridge. In ascent or descent, the ridge is a fantastic route up or down Blencathra - it has much to savour - exposure, pinnacles, rock towers and fantastic ridge walking. The first section on descent is known as Narrow Edge and provides good scrambling however side paths can avoid some of the more exposed rocky sections - it is just a question of picking your route of choice. Further down the ridge the gradient eases and time was taken to stop and take in the views over to the ridges to Gategill Fell & Doddick Fell before another steep section delivered us to the valley floor near Gategill Farm. From the farm we turned left to make our way back to Scales - the delightful path handrails a wall for the entire mile or so and is mainly flat with a couple of steep sections plus a scramble down a rocky outcrop at Scaley Beck.
Whichever way round this walk is completed it is simply superb. Both Sharp Edge & Hall's Fell Ridge ridges provide fantastic walking and scrambling but are best enjoyed when the conditions allow you to also appreciate the glorious views on offer. Today was an amazing day on the fells for lots of reasons.
Footnote - many thanks to Andy Coley for granting permission to use some of his photographs from the walk today. Andy has a walking page on Facebook and the link is below - once again thanks Andy.
Lone Walker
Heading up the Scales Fell path from Scales - Mousthwaite Comb is below to the left
Continuing along the Scales Fell path as Sharp Edge comes into view
Zooming in on Sharp Edge - a walker can be seen making his way along the arete
Doggy fun in Scales Tarn
Below Sharp Edge with my walking companions for the day
Sharp Edge from the Scales Tarn path
Meanwhile back on Sharp Edge there was a great deal of scrambling going on.
This pic shows the group stepping on the lower section of the arete.
This pic shows the group stepping on the lower section of the arete.
And up we go - ideal conditions today - no wind & dry
Having climbed up to this point the level section of Sharp Edge starts
What a load of posers - can you tell they are thoroughly enjoying themselves?
The scramble along the arete continues
The view ahead from the arete to Foule Crag - there is still a fair amount of scrambling to do before the summit ridge is gained
Negotiating the section known as "The Bad Step"
By this time I had reached the top of Sharp Edge with Fudge and was able to watch the group
making their way up the groove above the Bad Step. People argue that Sharp Edge is not as difficult as people make out and that is all very well but there were people out today for whom this was a big achievement. Looking back down the Edge from here you can see why.
making their way up the groove above the Bad Step. People argue that Sharp Edge is not as difficult as people make out and that is all very well but there were people out today for whom this was a big achievement. Looking back down the Edge from here you can see why.
Great to see lots of smiling faces as the ridge was reached - Scales Tarn sits below.
One by one they appeared - the arete as always looked superb from here
Sharp Edge from a little further back up the final slope - Bannerdale Crags is the backdrop
Thankfully Angie appeared having safely negotiated Sharp Edge - the smile says it all
Angie on the summit ridge of Blencathra with Sharp Edge a fitting backdrop
Rhum, Harris & Belle on the summit of Blencathra
Fudge on Blencathra's summit - no it is not a water bowl Fudge
The ridge leading to Gategill Fell - this is a nice "out & back" transit but we did not do it today
The splendid descent down Hall's Fell ridge
Dropping down Hall's Fell, Keswick & Derwent Water come into view
Fudge as usual is ahead of the game
The descent continues as we look into Gate Gill with St John's in the Vale and Thirlmere in the distance
Scrambling down the rock tower
Looking across to the Doddick Fell ridge
The base of the rock tower - the ridge ahead look quite precarious but in todays conditions was easy walking
Can we go now Dad?
Harris, Rhum & Belle on Hall's Fell Ridge
Descending the rock tower
The arete gives great scrambling opportunities both up & down - with the rock dry these were great fun
Fudge looking down to Gate Gill
A Hall's Fell & Blencathra panoramic
Clough Head
The final section of descent is on a steep path which leads to the valley floor - today the views to the North Western Fells were superb
From the base of Hall's Fell a delightful path heads east all the way back to Scales Green - Great Mell Fell & Little Mell Fell are ahead
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