Blencathra

When Duncan and I visit the Lakes, I usually have the Friday to myself (see Bowfell and Crinkle Crags post), we do a reasonable walk on the Saturday (see previous post on Coniston Horseshoe), and then we do a quick up and down walk on the Sunday, so we can both travel home to our families on Sunday afternoon. 

Neither of us had previously climbed Blencathra, a dramatic mountain north of the A66 near Keswick. There are a number of routes up Blencathra, one or two, like Sharp Edge and Halls Fell,  quite famous (or should I say infamous). Neither of us have particular head for exposed edges, and given our time constraints we decided upon an easier route. So we parked in the small village of Scales and walked up the grassy slopes of Scales Fell - a steady route, involving some exertion, but providing easy access to the summit, with some spectacular views.

This first images shows the summit of Blencathra, shrouded in low cloud, as we approach up Scales Fell. It also shows two of the ridges that come up from the A66, allowing slightly more exhilarating approaches to the summit.

Approaching Blencathra from Scales FellBlencathra

Lake District, Cumbria, England

As you get higher, the views to the north open up revealing Scales Tarn in a bowl surrounded by high ground, including the summit and the notorious Sharp Edge. The path up to Sharp Edge and the start of the edge is seen directly opposite us in the images below.

Scales Tarn and the start of Sharp EdgeBlencathra

Lake District, Cumbria, England

   Scales Tarn & Sharp EdgeBlencathra

Lake District, Cumbria, England

The summit of Blencathra itself is fairly non-descript, with better views from the surrounding edges of the summit plateau. So after reaching the summit of Blencathra, we walked around to see what we could see of Sharp Edge from the top. Although it was sunny it was very windy at the top, making it slightly precarious to get too close, particularly given my fear of heights. 

Sharp EdgeBlencathra

Lake District, Cumbria, England

It adds a certain amount of atmosphere to a place like this when you see the Rescue Helicopter practising rescue winches overhead!!

Sharp Edge and practicising rescue helicopterBlencathra

Lake District, Cumbria, England

The view of Scales Tarn, and surrounding fells, from the top of Blencathra.

Looking down on Scales TarnBlencathra

Lake District, Cumbria, England

Looking down on Scales TarnBlencathra

Lake District, Cumbria, England

This shot, taken on the way down, shows the path winding along the hillside.

Bannerdale & Souther Fell from the route to Blencathra summitBlencathra

Lake District, Cumbria, England

On the way down, the view back to Blencathra was clear, with the summit no longer shrouded in cloud.

Blencathra summit frrom Scales FellBlencathra

Lake District, Cumbria, England

The views in the other direction, across to the nearby hills, were equally fine, albeit a bit hazy.  

Scales Fell viewBlencathra

Lake District, Cumbria, England

Scales Fell viewBlencathra

Lake District, Cumbria, England

This proved to be an excellent choice for our Sunday morning walk and was a great finale to a terrific weekend!

More images from this walk can be found in the Blencathra gallery here.