Start point: Scales (NY 349 272)
Scales – Sharp Edge – Blencathra (Atkinson Pike – Hallsfell Top – Scales Fell) – Scales
Distance: 4.5 miles Total Ascent: 642 metres Time Taken: 2 hours Start Time: 07:25
Weather: Clearing, sunny spells, 12C
At last I was able to make it back on the fells – but where to go? Somewhere not too long but with a bit of excitement I thought and Sharp Edge fitted the bill perfectly. I enjoyed getting up at the crack of doom and getting out before most other people, the dogs managed it fine up there too and young Dougal took this big step in his stride as I knew he would.
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!
Sharp Edge route map.
Early morning Great Mell Fell.
Looking across to the cloud capped Dodds - all the fells including Blencathra were shrouded this morning but things were looking promising.
First glimpse of Sharp Edge from Mousthwaite Comb.
It all looks a bit gloomy at the moment.
Looking along the valley of the River Glenderamackin.
Time for a drink for Dougal and Casper.
Sharp Edge with a lone figure on it across Scales Tarn.
Scales Tarn from the foot of Sharp Edge.
Yes Dougal, we are going that way.
At the foot of Sharp Edge.
Scales Tarn from Sharp Edge.
Looking back along the route of ascent.
Sharp Edge.
In portrait if you prefer.
Climbing higher.
Looking back along the polished rocks.
Looking down from higher up.
Scales Fell across Scales Tarn.
Sharp Edge from Foule Crag.
A panoramic view from Foule Crag.
Lonscale Pike and Mungrisdale Common from Atkinson Pike.
The white cross on Blencathra.
A view of Derwent Water from the summit of Blencathra.
Hall's Fell Ridge.
Scales Fell, the route of descent.
Threlkeld and a view of Thirlmere.
Dougal and Casper at the summit.
Hall's Fell Ridge with a lone climber on it.
Descending Scales Fell.
Sharp Edge.
Souther Fell.
A clear Blencathra by the time I drove to Castlerigg Stone Circle.
