Start point: Scales (NY 349 272)
Scales – Sharp Edge – Blencathra (Atkinson Pike – Hallsfell Top) – Hall’s Fell Ridge – Scales
Distance: 5.5 miles Total Ascent: 824 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 45 minutes Start Time: 07:00
Weather: Sunny and warm. 15ºC
This morning’s walk was to Blencathra taking in the two most interesting ridges on there – Sharp Edge and Hall’s Fell Ridge. Both of these are excellent so it was a great walk all round, shame the cloud only cleared fully when I was almost back down.
Note: Just because I took my dogs over Sharp Edge, it doesn’t mean that every dog or indeed every person can do this one – it is a very exposed ridge and is treacherous in wet or icy conditions. Plenty of people have come a cropper crossing Sharp Edge. You have been warned!
When I was passing Newby Bridge early this morning, things were looking interesting so I had to stop and grab a couple of photos…
Blencathra route map.
New day rising, Windermere.
Perfect, tranquil reflections and the mist of the new day rising from Windermere.
Calm.
Newby Bridge. On to the walk...
Mousthwaite Comb.
Cloud capped Clough Head.
The view from the top of the path to Mousthwaite Comb with the cloud hanging over the Dodds.
A closer shot from further up.
Blencathra is not looking quite so good at the moment though, I'm hoping the sun will burn that cloud off.
A bit further along the path in the Glenderamackin Valley and Sharp Edge is clear of cloud.
Sharp Edge from Scales Tarn.
Scales Tarn from the foot of Sharp Edge and Dougal does a double take of the way up.
Sharp Edge - looks good to me.
Sharp Edge and Foule Crag.
You can make out a figure at the top in this shot which give some scale to Sharp Edge.
Dougal Doo goes for it - like Mr Magoo, he cares not a jot what is below and takes it all in his stride. I managed to drop my lens cap here of all the places to do it! I could see it lying temptingly below though so I dumped the bag and left Casper and Dougal in charge whilst I went down to retrieve it - loyal Casper did as instructed and sat with the bag. Dougal? He couldn't resist following me down of course!
Climbing The Edge.
Casper enjoys living on the edge.
Onward and upward (and along).
Climbing Foule Crag.
The Lion Kings beat me to the top.
Looking down.
A panoramic view from the top.
Sharp Edge profile.
Once on the summit ridge the cloud was down and swirling around, here looking into the sun at the White Cross.
Walking on water at the summit tarn.
A brief parting of the clouds from the summit.
Dougal and Casper on Blencathra.
Looking down Hall's Fell Ridge, the way we are descending.
A view through to Derwent Water and the north western fells.
There's no holding Dougal back.
The middle section.
Hall's Fell Ridge.
Looking up the ridge to the summit.
A panoramic of Blencathra from Hall's Fell Ridge.
Looking down, over Gate Gill.
It's a great view up here directly to the summit of Blencathra.
Clough Head from the descent of Hall's Fell, the cloud has lifted now. Just got the proofs for the 2012 calendar (NOW SOLD OUT!)
