Blencathra

A wonderful day on Blencathra today.

We set off from Threlkeld at 10am and climbed up onto Halls Fell Ridge, we made good progress climbing the steep lower slopes of the ridge and were soon on the rocky ridge above scrambling to the summit of Blencathra.

After a short lunch stop we descended the steep slope to Scales Tarn and were again climbing this time towards Sharp Edge.

We made good progress scrambling along Sharp Edge and after a few nerves on Foule Crag we were again on the summit plateau of Blencathra.

The views today were magnificent so we crossed the summit again and descended by Blease Fell, taking the path back to Threlkeld by Gate Gill.

A perfect day climbing Blencathra & Sharp Edge!

We met the group in the centre of Threlkeld and after making our way through town we were at the bottom of the Halls Fell Ridge. The start of the ridge is a steep grassy slope, and with the early morning warmth it made a tough start to the day. We climbed well and not before too long we were at the start of the scrambling on the ridge. After a short break we made our way onto the rocky buttresses of the ridge. The ridge got narrower, and some of the sections required more hands on moves than others, but everyone did really well.

At about midday we were on the summit of Blencathra soaking up the amazing views. We descended the short distance to a very turquoise Scales Tarn where we enjoyed our lunches. A short ascent brought us up to the start of Sharp Edge. The group really enjoyed Sharp Edge and did really well. After scrambling up the exit ramp we stopped for another break to look down on what we had achieved.

As the weather was still good we took the long descent route across the top of Blencathra and down Blease Fell. Good tracks led us into Threlkeld where we walked straight into the pub for a well earned drink!

A slightly damp and misty day climbing Blencathra from Threlkeld today.

before we set off unfortunately we could already tell we would not be getting across Sharp Edge today as it was quite damp, but we were keen to have a good walk all the same! We headed out of Threlkeld and joined the steep slope at the bottom of Halls Fell Ridge. We made great time up the steep grassy slope and before we knew it we were at the scrambling.

We took great care and enjoyed the scrambling that Halls Fell Ridge has to offer. Soon enough we were on the summit of Blencathra, but unfortunately no views today. We opted to descend off of the mountain via Scales Fell, of which half way down we managed to duck under the mist for some good views.

We followed the path along the base of Blencathra back to Threlkeld.

A bit of a damp day up Blencathra from Threlkeld today.

After meeting the guys in Threlkeld we got on our way up towards Halls Fell Ridge. Unfortunately the recent and current weather was showing signs that getting across Sharp Edge would be out of the question, however we would see what Halls Fell Ridge was like first. After climbing up the initial steep slope we started scrambling, and our fears were confirmed, it was very greasy, meaning to go on Sharp Edge would be very dangerous. We continued up halls Fell making the most of this scrambling, and they both scrambled well in the tricker conditions. We emerged on the windswept summit of Blencathra at about midday and opted to descend with our backs to the wind down Scales Fell. We enjoyed this descent and not before too long we were underneath the mist enjoying views over Keswick. We took the path that contours the base of Blencathra back along from Scales into Threlkeld.

Another great day today climbing Blencathra and Sharp Edge.

We set off from Threlkeld at 10am and climbed the steep slopes onto the Halls Fell ridge, we had some good fun scrambling up the crest of the ridge to the summit of Blencathra.

From the summit of Blencathra we descended east, dropping down to Scales Tarn, stopping for our lunches on the grass by the tarn before climbing again, this time onto the crest of Sharp Edge.

We had little difficulty crossing Sharp Edge, but almost as soon as we had climbed up over Foule Crag a short shower arrived, this lasted for about five minutes and had passed by the time we were back on the summit of Blencathra.

From Blencathra we descended west, dropping down from Blease Fell and back to Threlkeld.

A perfect day climbing Blencathra & Sharp Edge!

With the Keswick Mountain Festival drawing to an end, and the weather being clear and sunny, there was no suprise why we had 12 people out on this fantastic route. We (Matt and Paul) met the group in the centre of Threlkeld and after making our way through town we were at the bottom of the Halls Fell Ridge. The start of the ridge is a steep grassy slope, and with the early morning warmth it made a tough start to the day. Everyone climbed at their own pace, but not before too long we were at the start of the scrambling on the ridge. After a short break we made our way onto the rocky buttresses of the ridge. The ridge got narrower, and some of the sections required more hands on moves than others, but everyone did really well.

At about midday we were on the summit of Blencathra soaking up the amazing views. We descended the short distance to a very turquoise Scales Tarn where we enjoyed our lunches. A short ascent brought us up to the start of Sharp Edge, at which point everyone started to buzz with excitment/ anxiety. Paul led the way across the edge, providing advice across some of the slightly trickier sections. After scrambling up the exit ramp everyone had huge smiles on their faces, and it was evident everyone was super happy about what they had just achieved.

As the weather was still good we took the long descent route across the top of Blencathra and down Blease Fell. Good tracks led us into Threlkeld where we walked straight into the pub for a well earned drink!

A great day climbing Blencathra from Threlkeld today.

We set off from Threlkeld at 10 am and climbed by Gategill Farm following the steep path onto the Halls Fell Ridge. There was some great scrambling on Halls Fell today, although the rock was still a little greasy after yesterdays rain, but we had fun climbing to the summit of Blencathra.

After a short stop near the summit we followed the ridge west crossing to Blease Fell and descending back to Threlkeld, it was good to see the repair work that is being done on the lower section of the path which has been badly eroded over the past few years.

A fantastic day Climbing Blencathra and Sharp Edge today.

I met the guys outside the Horse and Farrier in Threlkeld at 10am, with Blencathra standing above us bathing in glorious sunshine. The weather was fantastic and we were all pretty much ready to go already down to our t shirts. We made our way through town and to the base of the Halls Fell Ridge. The ridge starts steeply so we made our way up slowly, having plenty of stops to enjoy the far reaching views. The guys didn't believe me (and at this point I don't think I was believing it) when I said the forecast was for snow later in the day. We continued up the steep ground to where it flattens out and the rocky arete of Halls Fell starts. We enjoyed some good scrambling on some dry rock all the way to the summit of Blencathra.

We stopped on the summit to enjoy some lunch before descending to Scales Tarn to then re-ascend to the great Sharp Edge. Sharp Edge was in great condition so we knew we were going to have a great time. All the guys scrambled well across the edge, making even the hardest bits look really easy. Just as we were on the edge a bit of drizzle had started to fall, but just as we climbed off of the exit ramp a snow/ hail storm suddenly came from the skies! The storm passed quickly and again the skies were clear. We got lucky with the weather as we saw numerous storms passing us either side.

Our chosen descent route was via Blease Fell. On our way across the top of the fell we stopped again for another nice long stop. We descended off the fell in some light rain, it really was a day of all weathers. We got back to Threlkeld having enjoyed a great day on the fells, and into the pub for a nice pint, Magic!