Scales - Mousthwaite Comb - Scales Beck - Sharp Edge - Foule Crag - Atkinson Pike - Blencathra - Gategill Fell Top - Blease Fell - Gategill Fell Top - Blencathra - Halls Fell Ridge - Scales

We decided on a walk up Blencathra only the day before. The weather forecast was excellent. We parked the car at the layby on the A66 opposite the White Horse Inn. The first part of the walk was via the small road that heads towards Mungrisdale. At the sheepfold further down the road we turned off in the direction of Mousthwaite Comb. It was then a steep climb to the slopes of Scales Fell. The path eventually follows the River Glenderamackin to Scales Beck. There were great views to Sharp Edge along this route. Scales Beck flows from Scales Tarn which is at the foot of Sharp Edge.

There is quite a stiff climb by the side of Scales Beck to Scales Tarn but the scenery is out of this world. We paused by the side of Scales Tarn before ascending Sharp Edge taking in what we were about to attempt. It looked absolutely awesome. Then off we set across the rocky edge. We did not walk the edge all the way as there were sections of scrambling to undertake. The rocks were very worn in places making foot and hand holds few and far between. The rocks were slippy in places. This would have been a difficult climb if it had been in wet or icy conditions. I suggest that the average walker should tackle Sharp Edge in dry conditions. The experience of walking across the edge was fantastic. The last section is a steep climb up Foule Crag. It is not too long though before one arrives at the top. The views back down along Sharp Edge and to Scales Tarn were great - we could also see where they had come from!!!

After a short hike following the ridge we arrived at the summit of Blencathra. A full 360 degree panoramic view of the Lakeland Fells can be enjoyed from the summit including views to the Scottish Hills and the Solway Firth. We continued our walk along the summit ridge to Gatesgill Fell Top and Blease Fell. From Blease Fell there are great views to Keswick, Derwentwater, Newlands Horseshoe, Grasmoor, Scafell Range, Coniston Fells as well as Helvellyn. We retraced our steps back to Blencathra summit.

Our descent was via Halls Fell Ridge. This was quite steep in places and very rocky. Some scrambling was also required. Quite a dramatic walk/scramble but not as technically difficult as the ascent of Sharp Edge. The path ends at Gategill near Threlkeld. There is a good path back to Scales that means you do not have to walk along the A66. The path crosses Doddick Gill then ascends steeply for a short distance before heading to Scaley Beck. To cross Scaley Beck there is a short scramble on either side of the beck. Once this has been achieved it is only a short distance back to Scales. This was an excellent walk in lovely sunny conditions. Next time I want to attempt the whole Blencathra Group to include all the Wainwrights from Mungrisdale.

Reference Books Used