St Oswald’s Way – Stage 6 – Kirkwhelpington to Heavenfields
September 26, 2023Conquering Skiddaw via Longside Edge, Tracing Wainwright’s Steps
October 13, 2023Scaling Blencathra: Thrilling Ascend via Scale Tarn and Hair-Raising Sharp Edge
If you’re an adventure seeker and love the thrill of conquering challenging peaks, then Blencathra in the Lake District is a must on your hiking bucket list. This route description will take you on an exhilarating journey as we ascend Blencathra via Scale Tarn and navigate the hair-raising Sharp Edge. Get ready for heart-pounding excitement and breath-taking views!
Other resources:
Don’t forget to access/download the full route and mapping on OS Maps for this route.
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Turn by Turn Directions
We start this walk at Scales. It’s best to get here reasonably early to park your car on the roadside. Our trek starts by passing The White Horse on our right and climbing the stairs. After the stile, at the end of a short ascent, we turn right and follow the path (Video 1:20).
We steadily ascend until we have Scales Fells on our left Mousthwaite Comb on our right and River Glenderamackin ahead (Video 2:10), it is worth taking a moment to take in the magnificent scenery. We now head towards the picturesque valley, with the river on our right (Video 2:25).
The well-defined leads us to the waterfalls at Scales Beck (Video 2:50). As ever it is very calming to have the sound of the waterfall as we head up towards Scales Tarn (Video 3:30). The tranquillity of the Tarn lends itself to spending some time to pause in our way and take in the sheer beauty.
Leaving Scales Tarn behind us, we have a well-defined path which takes us to the start of Sharpe Edge, which is known for its heart-pounding and adrenaline-inducing moments. As we get to the start of Sharpe Edge you become aware of the notoriety of this section (Video 4:10). Again, it is worth taking a moment, before undertaking this climb to take in the magnificent scenery and the view we are offered of Scales Tarn.
A word of caution at this point. Sharpe Edge needs to be given a certain amount of respect, as it will take most of us out of our comfort zone. This said, it is a great experience, and it is worth taking a look at some of the footage (Video 5:00). Once we have conquered Sharpe Edge and the gully climb afterwards, we are now on the plateau of Blencathra (Video 7:00). It is understandable why people stop here and take in some of the magnificence; you do get some unparalleled views of the surrounding scenery.
Leaving the summit of Blencathra, we head along the plateau (Video 7:30), where we get some great views of the five fells (Scales, Doddick, Halls, Gategill and Blease Fells), which make up the southern flank of Blencathra.
The walk to Blease Fell is very pleasant and should be savoured. Our descent down Blease Fell is relatively easy and offers some great views across Keswick and Derwent Water. This leads us to our walk along the lower fells past each of the five fells, which make up Blencathra.
Our three-mile return to Scales offers us great views of each of the five fells and the valleys in between (Video 9:30 & 10:10).
The path takes us to the conclusion of our walk at Scales, where a visit to The White Horse, is worth considering, before leaving behind us, what has been a great day on the fells.
Outdoor Catch-Up:
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Resources used whilst bringing you this walk…
Mapping and Directions:
OS Map App – Ordnance Survey Maps and routing
Maps – Ordnance Survey Maps
Compass – Must have
Equipment used:
Jacket – Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket – Equipment Review
Jacket – Montane Gravity Gore-Tex Jacket
Footwear – Merrell Accentor Sport GTX
Boots – Scarpa Rush Trek GTX – Equipment Review
Trousers – Montane BMC Terra Pants
Waterproof Trousers – Mountain Hardwear Epic Pant
Socks – 1000 mile wool fusion double layer
Head Torch – Lifesystems Intensity 220 Head Torch – Equipment Review
Backpack – Hi Gear Active22
Bladder – Camelbak 2.5L Hydration Reservoir
Camera Kit
GoPro 5 – Go anywhere action camera
hohem iSteady Pro 4-Gimbal stabiliser – Making your video professional
Lavalier Microphone – Capture professional audio
Insta360 ONE X2-360 Degree Camera – bringing video to a new dimension
Insta360 3M (10ft) Invisible Selfie Stick – make it look like a drone
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Other Walks & How to equipment guides you may be interested in:
Other Walks:
Haystacks via Scales Force, Red Pike, High Stiles & High Crag
Helvellyn via St Sunday Crag, Grisdale Tarn & Gleridding Common
Ambleside to Grasmere via Loghrigg Tarn & Fell
Walking Aira Force & High Force Waterfall’s Ullswater
Ingram Valley – Linhope – Ravenhill
Hen Hole, Three Sisters, Dunsdale & The Cheviot – What Great Walking.
Historic Market Town of Morpeth, Surrounding Countryside & River Walking.
Simonside Hills Circular in the Northumberland National Park.
Expert Review links:
Plan Watch Walk – Expert Reviews.
How to buy – The best Waterproof Jacket.
How to but – The best Walking Trousers.
Scaling Blencathra: Thrilling Ascend via Scale Tarn and Hair-Raising Sharp EdgeIf you're an adventure seeker and love the thrill of conquering challenging peaks, then Blencathra in the Lake District is a must on your hiking bucket list. |
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Hard |
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7.6 miles |
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OS Explorer OL5 |
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4.30 |
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| Start Point | |
