Scales to Blencathra via Sharp Edge return Hall's Fell - Cumbria 21 July 2016.

Scales to Blencathra via Sharp Edge return Hall's Fell 
Cumbria
Distance 8km Climb 725m
Thursday 21 July 2016

With my new friends on our SMS Course, Baz parked the bus in the car parking area west of Scales (190m) on the A66. It was going to be another warm day walking.

After checking the maps we headed east up the road towards Scales.

After a couple of houses we took the footpath north up onto the hill. This took us onto a narrow path that climbed northerly through high ferns almost from the start. The views opened up to our east as we climbed and I could see the A66 snaking off into the distance.

Guy was guiding us on the high path that skirted the east side of Scales Fell. We could see our fellow group of walkers on the lower path up the valley to our right, east.

Anna took over the guiding as we measured and checked our pacing over steep ground.

Baz, Anna and Shambo

Once over the steep ground the path levels off and we joined the path that ran from the east, that our fellow walkers had also taken. In the distance we could see Sharp Edge.

Starting to climb again we took the path that climbs by the stream, Scales Beck, that flows from the east side of Scales Tarn.

We had a short break on the path near the tarn to have a little snack and water before climbing Sharp Edge. It was also an opportunity to pack my camera so my hands would be free for the climb.

Once on the Edge we took turns to lead the group upward. Baz gave us advice on the best techniques and places to use this knowledge, when leading groups up this type of terrain. In what appeared to be no time at all we were all safely over Sharp Edge and Foule Crag and sitting at the top. While sitting at the top our fellow walkers joined us.

At the top Baz gave us a route to navigate to a couple of features. This led us up to the mark on the top of Blencathra (868m).

Guy, Shambo and Anna

Then it was camera away as we descended down Hall's Fell which started off steep to the south.

There had been a little cloud swirling over the edge at the top, which hid some of the views. As we climbed down, the vista opened up before us. A little way down we stopped and had a short lunch, and spent time discussing more rope safety work.

As the path levels off I got my camera out again. This was where we joined the other group, just as the path turned a little south west.

At the bottom of the path down Hall's Fell we come down the side of Gate Gill where our path joins the path that skirts the bottom of Blencathra, we turned left, east.

We crossed Doddick Gill and a steep climb to follow the path around some private land. This soon leveled off before dropping down to cross Scaley Beck. With a short climb up the other side.

We were soon back on the level following the path by a wall that took us to the gate and back down to the road near where the bus was parked just west of Scales.

We had walked approx 8km with approx 725m of climb.

More to follow

Boz North

Details correct at time of walking.

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Follow link to previous day walking on our SMS Course.