The view from Sharp Edge in it’s full winter coat giving epic views over Scales Tarn

Sometimes the best decision in the hills isn’t to push on, but to respect the conditions and turn back

I’ve climbed Blencathra more times than I can count, and the route via Sharp Edge has always been a favourite — a hands-on scramble with just enough exposure to make your heart beat that little bit faster. I’ve done it in the snow before too – it’s winter coat adding more challenge and looking even more impressive and alpine like.

This time, though, winter had tightened its grip on the fell. Fresh snow lay thick across the slopes, smoothing out the usual lines of rock and grass and turning the mountain into a gleaming white sculpture. So I set off on my usual route to Blencathra via Scales Tarn and Sharp Edge.

The walk up from the car park spot on the A66 felt familiar, but I hadn’t walked this route before in this much snow, the going was slower with my boots biting into the frozen ground as I made my way toward Scales Tarn.

Tracking the familiar River Glenderamackin (above) and then (below) making the little ascent next to Scales Beck which leads to Scales Tarn. There a few more hikers just ahead of me today.

On arrival at Scales Tarn I discovered, unsurprisingly I guess that it was solid ice, its dark water hemmed in by steep, snow-loaded slopes. From there, Sharp Edge rose ahead into the mist the iconic rocky crest now disguised beneath wind-packed snow. What is usually a straight forward Grade 1 scramble along Sharp Edge would now be transformed into something far more serious: cornices forming along the ridge, verglas hiding on the slabs, and steep drops falling away on either side into unforgiving ground.

I noted of the 3 people who were infant of me – 2 had avoided Sharp Edge and went up the easier Scales Fell and 1 person had went for Sharp Edge. I was unsure of the challenge of what lie ahead – I thought the snow would be too deep up on Sharp Edge and hiding dangerous drops, but the lure of a new level of challenge was appealing, so I took out my flask of coffee and mulled it over. 

As usual when I’m at Scales Tarn I got out my drone to inspect things from a differnt perspective, with the black & white constrast of Scales Tarn looking unfamilair and when I hovred up over Sharp Edge I seen the one fella in front of me up on the ridge who wasn’t making much progress.

After a little pause at Scales Tarn the light was starting to change with bursts of sunlight shining through and with one guy up on the ridge I thought I would head up to the start of Sharp Edge and see what it looked like from up there and then make my decison on whether to continue.

Looking back down to the shimmering Scales Tarn from the beginning of Sharp Edge. You can see the snow drifts up here which would make this rocky crag difficult to navigate.

EXPERIENCE OF LAKE DISTRICT FELL CONDITIONS IS PRICELESS 

Just as I reached the beginning of Sharp Edge when it gets tricky, ice axe in hand and crampons on, I met a man coming back, who I had earlier seen from my drone. He told me he lived locally and must have crossed Sharp Edge a hundred times in all conditions — yet this was the first time he had ever turned back. Whilst I must have done Sharp Edge a dozen times myself – that stopped me. When someone with that depth of experience decides the conditions aren’t right, it’s worth listening. Sharp Edge is beautiful, but it’s dangerous too. In winter it becomes a different beast entirely: a slip can mean an uncontrollable slide toward Scales Tarn or into the rocky gullies below, and the exposure feels amplified when every foothold is concealed. Sharp Edge is renowned for accidents even in the best of weather, and is very precariopus in wet & icey conditions, never mind snow this deep. 

I know Sharp Edge well, however this time was different. So I paused, took a long look along the snow filled crest, and chose not to advance. There was no disappointment, only respect. The views from the start of the ridge were impressive in the snow – and the summit was not to be seen. Instead of committing to the ridge, and rather than turn back immediately, I soaked in the views and decided to unpack the drone and sent it humming into the cold air. From above, the ridge looked even more dramatic and impressive. It’s freezing today with a biterly cold wind and my fingers didn’t feel too clever controlling the drone – but it was worth it for these images.

This is as far as I go along Sharp Edge. The snow is 1m thick in places, hiding drops and I know from experience it will get more dangerous the further along the ridge your go. As I’m on my own today – I decide to respect the mountain, the conditions and not get myself into difficulty. This is a tip for anyone tackling Sharp Edge, in all weather conditions. Always survey the conditions, evaluate if there could be potential issues (especially in rain, wind or ice/snow) and if in doubt and your experience level is not up to the conditions – don’t risk it along these sort of ridges. There have been many accidents on Sharp Edge – some fatal and you should be confident in tackling it. I usually am – but not today!

So on this occasion I wouldnt be completing the Blencathra summit walk I had in mind, but rather than be disappointed, I was grateful for familar walk in proper wintery conditons, some stunning views and to capture some sweeping images of Sharp Edge in full winter glory. It was some of the most impressive snowy images I’ve seen of the Lake District and I was content in the knowledge that the mountain would always be there for another day. Sometimes the best decision in the hills isn’t to push on, but to recognise when beauty and danger are walking hand in hand, respect nature, and turn back and get warmed up again by the fire in The White Horse Inn.