Blencathra via Sharp Edge.

[PauloUK77]

This is a walk i'd been looking forward to for some time, I have heard lots of good reports from accents of Blencathra.I started out from a small carpark on the A66 at Scales.From there Sharp Edge was my objective,i'd been in this area earlier this year and couldn't climb Blencathra due to bad snow.How different the area looked this time.
Upon reaching Scales Tarn I realised how intimidating Blencathra can look the views looking up were stunning.
Sharp Edge was fantastic fun with a few scary bits with great views down to Scales Tarn and over to Bannerdale Crags and Souther Fell,I didn't use the bypass path once sticking to the pinnacle of the ridge.
What followed next I found to be the most scary part of this accent,where the ridge meets the shoulder of Blencathra it heads up at an alarming gradient.I certainly didn't let go apart from when I felt safe enough to take a snap.
Once that was over I took a bearing for Mungrisdale Common.This involved a sizable descent to reach and was a bit of an anti-climax.
I then heading back up to where i'd descended from to bag Blencathra,then the fun started all over again.
I didn't realise Hallsfell ridge involved a bit of scrambling too,again I stuck to the very top all the way down.The views down this ridge are nothing short of amazing.
I would recommend Blencathra to anyone looking for for an exhilarating day out.

Heading up the shoulder of Blencathra from Sharp Edge.

Looking down to Scales Tarn.

Sharp Edge from the other side.(Towards Mungrisdale Common)

Mungrisdale Common

Blencathra from Mungrisdale summit.

Blencathra summit.

Heading down Hallsfell Ridge.

Hallsfell Ridge.

Looking back towards Blencathra from the foot of Hallsfell Ridge.

[johnovey]

Someat great photos there Paulo.
I've read a few reports on the Sharp edge route up Blencathra and look forward to visiting soon.
The final climb to Blencathra does look pretty steep Is it really that scary or a little bit of a photographic illusion?
Looks like a fabulous walk!!

[PauloUK77]

I found the ridge to be ok some difficult bits but the climb afterwards a little unnerving.It was the thought of slipping at that point I don't think there would be much chance of a recovery.
It just might be that it was my first go at proper scramble,some may have the opinion that it's a piece of cake.

[mountain coward]

Some great pics there - especially like the Hallsfell ones, especially the one where the guy is doing the narrow ledge above the gill - I never managed to make that bit look scary enough in my photos - now I see where I was going wrong - you need someone clinging to it!

Funny how different we all are though - I won't do Sharp Edge itself as I believe it's too dangerous with it's sloping polished slabs but have been down Foule Crag to the start of the edge and back up again and I found that bit fine... did you ascend it via the groove? I know sometimes people miss that and have a bit of trouble on it - the groove is fine though... I think the bypass path is possibly more dangerous than the actual edge?

[PauloUK77]

I was lucky someone was on the ledge on Hallsfell as i took the photo,when i got back after the walk I realised it made it easier to visualize making that move.
I found the grove after i'd climbed half way up Foule Crag it did make it easier.Your right about the bypass path people choose that option for an easier time but its anything but easy (if your afraid of heights).
I think you could manage the ridge itself if you have got down Foule crag to it.You want to give it a go someday .

[Paul Webster]

Great report, must be one of the best shorter hillwalks in England

[mountain coward]

I was lucky someone was on the ledge on Hallsfell as i took the photo,when i got back after the walk I realised it made it easier to visualize making that move.
I found the grove after i'd climbed half way up Foule Crag it did make it easier.Your right about the bypass path people choose that option for an easier time but its anything but easy (if your afraid of heights).
I think you could manage the ridge itself if you have got down Foule crag to it.You want to give it a go someday .

I'm pretty sure I'll never be doing it as I truly believe it is inherently dangerous due to it's slippery, sloping slabs! Richard (my walking buddy/guinea pig ) loves that kind of thing and he didn't like it as he said it was just too easy to slip off it! Watching other people crossing it, I fully agree - I've seen people scrabbling about trying to get some kind of hold on some of those slabs and goodness only knows how they didn't come off... And then of course, lots and lots of people do! So no thanks I'm afraid... Hallsfell is quite enough excitement for me anyway

[skuk007]

Oh crickey - visiting the Lakes for a few days in a couple of weeks. Was hoping to do Sharp Edge at some point. Will only do it though if it is going to be dry all day, with no wind.

Great pics making it look quite scary. It's good to see scary pictures though as sometimes you can forget and can think a mountain is easier than it actually is.

[mountain coward]

Defo only do if it's a dry day (and preferably no wind) as Blencathra slate (or properly 'Skiddaw Slate') is lethal in the wet! I found on the Hallsfell ridge on a damp day once that even my hands couldn't grip it!

[malky_c]

Brilliant pictures. I descended Sharp Edge about 10 years ago, and although I do remember it being narrow, I don't remember it looking as scary as that at all!

In fact if I'd seen these photos first, I probably would have gone up it rather than down. Must go back and do it again someday.

[PauloUK77]

The weather conditions were perfect for taking pics of Sharp Edge the day I was there,sometimes bad weather can obscure views and probably taking away some of the drama.
Then again you can argue the other way as low cloud and mist can add drama.Its well worth doing again in any case.

[Milesy]

Thanks. That is definately on my Lakes todo list now

[PauloUK77]

Have to say the same about your Curved Ridge report Milesy,that is a scramble I hope to do some day.

[MatthewWade1]

Great Photos. Did Sharp Edge yesterday in dry conditions and had no problems but wouldn't fancy it in the wet. The climb up the shoulder is steep but there are plenty of hand holds and it really added to the walk.

[ChrisW]

Great stuff Paulo, good to see you finding your way out of the flatlands again, I'm actually in the flatlands of Lincolnshire this week we may have passed each other en route . Some cracking pics of what looks to be a beautiful wander and scramble , bit steep in places but well worth the effort