Scales to Blencathra via Sharp Edge - Cumbria 11 June 2015.

Scales to Blencathra via Sharp Edge return via Knowe Crags
Cumbria
Distance 11km Climb 750m
Thursday 11 June 2015

I have wanted to walk up Blencathra for some time now and today I took the chance and opportunity to do just that.  I had left home early and drove across to The Lakes.  I knew from previous trips across to the Lakes that I could park my car at Scales at no cost, providing I was early enough to get a parking space.

This was the first time I had walked in this area and I was looking forward to the challenge.  I had an old 1:50,000 map.  I walked passed the front of the pub (210m) White Horse Inn and down the narrow road that leads to Mungrisdale.  About 1km down the lane I turned left onto the footpath that heads north west, which lays west just before a stream.  The lane and fields had plenty of young rabbits running about on them.  The sun was very warm and once I reached the turning for the footpath I had a short stop to take off some clothing and apply sun cream to my face.  I took the footpath north west that was up by Mousethwaite Comb.

It was a steep climb and the path turned north east by the side of the fell before turning north west again as it crosses the ridge.  It was bright and clear and I could see for miles.  A number of other walkers were out today.  

Looking south down the footpath

Looking north west to Sharp Edge

I took a track that continued north west and continued climbing onto Scales Fell.

Looking east from Scales Fell

Looking west up Scales Fell

I continued climbing up the ridge which turned further west then there was a slight dip where I turned right and headed north. There was a steep drop to a steep path that dropped down about 100m to Scales Tarn.  

I could see walkers coming down off Blencathra across Scales Fell and others on Sharp Edge.

I continued north on the path that took me passed the tarn and to the bottom of Sharp Edge.  I packed my sticks took a deep drink of water and an even deeper breath and started up Sharp Edge.  The stone was dry and the conditions good so I took my time and climbed on.  I could see someone walking up the edge of the fell to my right.  The views were brilliant.

Once on the top I found a place and had a stop to have a quick bite of lunch and a well deserved cup of tea, well two cups of tea.

View west to Skiddaw

After my short stop I turned south and to the ridge of Blencathra 868m. There was a distant haze on the far horizon but other than that the views were clear. I could see back along the A66 where I had driven earlier that morning.  I could see the footpath up across Scales Fell.  I could see a windfarm to the far north west.  To the west was the impressive Skiddaw.  The only sound was from a few crows who were hovering just over the ridge.  After a few minutes taking in the sights I turned south west and followed across the top of the ridge.  

I passed Middle Tongue, and then onto Knowe Crags. I took the steep footpath that twisted and turned down hill.  A number of para gliders were flying overhead.

After about a drop of 250m I took a grass path east, the path then dropped further towards Blease Farm.  I took the path across Blease Gill that ran by a wall. It was very warm and sheep were trying to keep cool lying in the shade of the wall and the trees along this part of the route.  Along here I could hear a cuckoo, the sound was either bouncing around the valley or it was moving around. 

After another 1km I was at Gategill.  It was nice along here and I could see up to the high ridge where I had walked earlier.   

I crossed Doddick Gill and there was a little climb up onto the path back to the path.  A little further I reached the next gill where there was a steep climb down and a little climb back out.  It was then a steady walk to the footpath junction that I took back down to where I had parked the car.   

I had covered 11km with 750m of climb. A very good day walking.

More to follow

Boz North

Details correct at time of walking.

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