Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club

Walk & Event Reports

Sunday 26th March 2017

A Walk

Blencathra-Sharp Edge

8 Miles Grade 1scr 

Leader: Alan Dobson

Report by Peter Flynn

Photos by Pete Rutland & Peter Flynn

“We had to turn back.  It was far too icy.  Ice packed into all the little footholds.  See those two lads there (pointing to the Edge) – they haven’t been able to move for 15 minutes,  just stuck.  I wouldn’t go up there if I were you…..”  Snippets of wisdom like this were plentiful from those who had tried Sharp Edge today but had given up.  What the donors of this wisdom failed to appreciate that the 6 of us were the crème de la crème of experienced mountaineers – Carlisle Ramblers “A” party.  The walk up had been interesting;  we came across a trainee dinosaur (cf photos) crossing the path lower down,  beautiful little chap.  He eventually got bored with having his photo taken and went into a little cave.  Also lots and lots of people,  folk who had simply made the decision,  because of the brilliant weather,  to have a trip from whatever far flung region of the British Isles they hailed.  It really was a lovely day – shorts and T shirts were very common.  Amazing for March on Blencathra.  We totally ignored all the advice proffered to us and even though for one person – Christina – it was her first trip onto Sharp Edge,  we made our way along it and soon came up against the queues of folk trying to make progress.  Parts were slippery and some quite icy.  The big gap between the edge and the main mountain was full of snow,  but we made it past there and onto the cliff face.  We had to wait patiently while those ahead of us struggled,  but once on the face,  it took no time at all to reach the summit path.  The top was fairly full – people in all sorts of gear – and the descent,  via Halls Fell,  quite serious and not for the faint hearted.  We made it down in one piece and onto Stainton for a welcome afternoon tea.  A wonderful walk,  very many thanks to Alan for his excellent leadership.