Name of walk	Blencathra via Halls Fell
Date of walk	2006-07-26

Went up Blencathra (2847ft above Keswick) with Ged and Kas the dog on Wednesday, via Halls Fell and ridge. I went up this way last Easter but without my camera, so I did it all again! Halls Fell is the ridge that leads to the top summit (seen below) and is the most spectacular way up as you end up at one point with about 10cm to stand on and sheer drops either side. Not a ridge to be tackled if its windy!! The day started sunny then went overcast and hazy, so the distant views were poor.

View up to the summit from Threlkeld.

One of the few occasions when I`m ahead of the `old guy`. Derwentwater behind and I can pick out Red Pike and the Scafells.

Me and Kas just off the ridge.

View to the summit.

Kas leading the way.

Ahhh....So that`s why this bit is called Narrow Edge! It`s a succession of low crags with steps and gateways and towers of rock. Poor Kas had a hard time getting up some bits.

Ged taking his time.

Best not look down.

Arete pinnacle.

I put a 2 litre bottle of water in the freezer over night....it stays nice and cold all day.

Nearly at the summit.

View to Gatesgill Fell and ridge.

Blencathra is divided in to 5 fells. The top is grassy and flat. We went south to Gatesgill Fell and Blease fell and back. Skiddaw in the distance.

Top of Gatesgill. Kas hunting rooks.

Looking back to Halls Fell ridge.

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We then went past Doddick Fell to Scales Fell. Ged suggested we go down via Sharp Edge but I fancied a smoother decent that was less jarring for my knee (cartilage op still pending) so we went down Scales Fell to Scales Tarn.

The route down Sharp Edge can clearly be seen.

Took a dip! The water was very blue even when you are in it, maybe there are some copper deposits in it.

Tarn outflow.

Sharp Edge in the distance. The valley river is unusually called Glenderamackin.

We went back to Halls Fell along the bottom path which ended suddenly at Doddick Farm with `Private! No Entry` signs. So we needed to go back up the fell in head high bracken to try to find a different path. This we did but it took time. The walk took us nearly eight hours. Three of them being from Scales Tarn back to the car! The Blencathra Fox Hounds. They were sound asleep when we passed on the way up. Barking and howling at us on the way down!