Blencathra and Sharp Edge

Date: 08/08/2021
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location: Blencathra and Sharp Edge

Adventure Peaks Lake District Guided Walk of Blencathra is a real classic. The ascent, up Sharp Edge, is an adventure you will never forget. The famous old mountain, known until recently as Saddleback, is one of the best known in the Lake District and is a true mountaineers’ mountain. Standing high over the road that links Penrith and Keswick, Blencathra is a mountain that compels attention from all.

Our Adventure Peaks Guided Walk begins at the trail head behind Scales Farm. Quickly we work our way up Scales Fell until we reach Scales Tarn, one of the most characteristic mountain tarns in the Lake District. From here we carefully ascend the famous Sharp Edge to Atkinson Pike and across the Saddle to the summit. The views to the North and West are simply brilliant as we walk along the ridge and make our way down from Knowe Crag.

Guided Walk Overview

  • Height: 868m / 2,848ft
  • Distance: 11.2km / 6.95 Miles
  • Time: 5.5 Hours
  • Grade: Hard/Exposure*

Equipment Needed

  • Walking Boots
  • Waterproof Jacket and trousers
  • Rucksack
  • Warm tops
  • Spare clothing
  • Hat & Gloves
  • Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
  • Packed lunch
  • Water bottle/Thermos Flask
  • Torch and whistle

A 15% discount is available on all equipment and clothing from the Adventure Peaks store. This is valid from the time of booking to the date of the walk.

Adventure Peaks Classic Lake District Guided Walks are aimed at regular walkers with little previous experience who would like to explore the Lake District fells. The Lake District Guided Walks can range from easy, moderate and hard. They can be rigorous and demanding, filled with excitement, new experience, or rekindle old memories. Adventure Peaks Lake District Guided Walks can ultimately give you that sense of being in another world. A world that only the mountains, rivers and forests of the Lake District can give you.

Wainwrights Included

Blencathra, 868m

Total ascent/descent

900m/2,952ft

Where to Meet

The group will meet at 9am in the layby opposite Scales Farm on the A66, grid refrence NY 343 269. You should have your rucksack packed ready to depart including a full packed lunch.

Please note that no transport is included as part of the walk. For those without their own transportation it may be possible to share transport with the guide or other members of the walk. In this case we do ask that a contribution is made to the fuel costs of the driver.

The day will finish between 2.30-3.00pm.

If you are not there within 20 minutes of the departure time (9am) the group will begin their walk.

Previous Experience

You should have a good level of fitness and be comfortable walking for 6-7 hours per day with around 900m (2,952ft) of ascent.

“Blencathra is one of the grandest objects in Lakeland. And one of the best known.”
“Sharp Edge is a rising crest of naked rock of sensational and spectacular appearance, a breaking wave carved in stone. The sight of it at close quarters is sufficient to make a beholder about to tackle it forget all other worries, even a raging toothache.”
Alfred Wainwright

Books & Maps

Ordnance Survey OL 5 covers The Southern area of the Lake District and OL7 covers the Northern area at a scale of 1:25,000. The BMC produce a Lake District map at a scale of 1:40,000, which are waterproof and tear resistant, specially designed for walkers and climbers.

Age limit

The Minimum Age for our walks is 8 years of age, but this depends on a child’s experience and ability. Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult unless previously agreed with Adventure Peaks, and as we are AALA registered, written permission must be provided by a parent/guardian, for each participant under 18.

Participation Statement

Adventure Peaks recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

As our guides and leaders will be responsible for your wellbeing, we require each walker to complete our medical and experience form and return it to Adventure Peaks or your guide at the start of the walk. You may download a copy here.

Cost of Guided Walks

Our Lake District Guided Walks cost £40 per person and we require a minimum of 3 people to guarantee a Lake District Guided Walk can operate. Please do not book your travel or accommodation until we have contacted you.

 


Bookings

Bookings for this walk are now closed. For late bookings, please call 015394 33794 option 1 to see if places are still available.

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