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I was in The Lakes for a week with my wife and mother-in-law and well I finally managed to bag Blencathra via Sharp Edge. I intended keeping a close eye on the weather all week and picking the driest and least blowy day to do this one, turns out any day of the week would have done as it was sunny and dry every day.
After dropping them in Keswick to enjoy the shops and a boat trip round Derwent Water I headed off to park in a layby on the A66 by Scales, then walked past the pub to pick up the path which goes up Mousthwaite Comb. Soon reached the top of this rise where I got views of the ridge up ahead, basking in the sunshine. Was quite nervous now as I had read other peoples reports on this site and was hoping I would manage ok.
A bit further along and I reached Scales Tarn where the path to the ridge was quite clear.
There was a couple just up ahead and a group of three walkers by the tarn so I hung around to see who went first. I wanted to see how they did it. Turns out we all may have had the same idea as it seemed no-one wanted to go first. I wanted to get cracking so set off first - gulp!
There seemed to be a path slightly lower down but I headed up to the ridge as soon as possible wanting to get the most from the experience. It didn't take long to get to the pointy bit of the ridge so took some photos.
Can just see someone about two-thirds of the way up here, for scale. The rocks at this point do look very polished and I can imagine how slippy they would be if wet.
It doesn't actually take long to traverse the ridge and get to the steep shoulder part which leads to the top. Here is a view back down once I'd started the steep bit. Again if you look close the group of three walkers can just about be spotted on the ridge.
It is a good ridge walk and very exposed in one or two places but I couldn't help feeling disappointed that it was over so quickly. I almost wanted to go back down and do it again, then I realised I was listening to that "crazy little man voice" in my head. Here is a view up the steep bit where I still had to go.
There are plenty of hand holds on this ascent but again some of the rock is quite polished. Once the steep bit is over it is a straightforward walk on the path to the summit. Great views all around.
Lazed about in the sun taking in the views for a good hour before making my way down the Halls Fell route. There is some tricky steep bits going down this route but nothing too technical. Small chimney type scramble down at one point. Just to the right of this craggy bit.
Once down it was an easy stroll back to the car along the bottom of Doddick Fell. Took some video too.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2M4wg4PxeI[/youtube]