Route:

  From the pub/church, head East along the main street

through Threlkeld. Turn left up a residential street that 

is marked for the number 71 cycle route (part of the 

Coast to Coast ride). Walk on the road, out of the

village and after a short distance there are some warehouses on the right. Just after these, a farm track leads North and is sign posted for a Bridleway. Go up here and straight through the farmyard, through a gate into some trees and then up to a wall and the edge of the fell rises steeply in front of you.

  Turn right here and follow for about 2 kilometres. There are 2 stream crossings and after the second you can see Scales Farm down below you near the main road. As you draw level with the farm you reach a path junction and a small path begins to climb up and across the side of the fell. Follow this path up and around the corner, gaining a lot of height quite quickly. Past a rocky section and then you reach a cross roads over a much larger path. This is the main "motorway" up and down Blencathra so will likely be quite busy. Go straight on as our objective is still hidden from sight. 

  You will be walking on a nice path above a stream which you follow until you take the first left turn up towards Scales Tarn. A steeper section reaches the tarn which sits in a large  impressive amphitheatre shaped coombe. In front are some imposing cliffs and to the right you can see all of Sharp Edge which is where we are heading next. Take aright (North) out of the coombe and climb steeply to gain the ridge. We went up to the first rocks before stopping to sort out out gear and the Little Chaps. It's a great spot to gear up and refuel for the main objective of the day.

*We put on harnesses and roped up here, putting an adult front and rear, with the little chaps about 5 metres apart in the middle. As we used the alpine technique of taking coils we put the front adult (Mummy) about 10m in front of Little Chap#1, 5m to Little Chap#2 and then only 5m to Daddy, also carrying rope coils, so that he could help either of the Little Chaps without too much slack in the system. 

  **As a grade 1 scramble this is not difficult climbing. The rope can seem like overkill (and most people look at you weirdly) but it gives the Little Chaps the freedom and confidence to climb solo and also Mummy and Daddy the confidence to let them get on with it and explore the rock themselves. It also builds rope management skills that will be useful on future adventures together. As such, I'd recommend using a rope with Little Ones.

  Now, take the most direct route along the ridge. Many people opt to follow the footpath which stays low on the North side of the ridge. This misses out all of the fun! Once roped up and secure, aim to walk on the very tip of the ridge (only wet and windy days prevent this in which case, why are you here then?!). The rock is solid and grippy and the top is much more fun. Follow the ridge (it isn't really possible to get lost here!) to the midpoint. At the midpoint, a slightly trickier step leads onto the steeper ground up towards the summit. Again, you can follow the "path" of loose stones or find a more interesting route up the solid slabs.

  At the top the angle eases and there are good grassy areas to unfasten your harnesses and ropes, well back from any edges. Now, follow the path South, initially, before it curves slightly Westwards to the summit. Cue high fives etc and find a spot for lunch (whether it is first or second lunch by this point doesn't matter, it's the top so enjoy views South towards the central fells of the Lakes or North across the Solway Firth into Scotland.

  Now it is a matter of getting down safely - the work is only half done! Follow the large path southwest along the edge of the mountain and over two minor summits. After the second, the path starts to descend steeply down a zig-zag path. At the bottom of the zigzags is a small stone cairn, marking a grassy path that leads South. This descends easily but steeply to a path running East-West. Turn left (East)

and the path descends more easily. At a larger stream crossing, the public footpath heading south is marked Threlkeld and descends through trees by a stream to the top of the village. Continue down the road, past houses, to the main street that you started on to return to your car.

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Verdict: 

This is a big mountain day and not to be underestimated. We built the Little Chaps up for this day over a period of time, slowly building strength for a big hill day and this was a big goal for Mummy and Daddy in terms of returning to the "proper" mountains.

 

This makes it seem scary which it is not if you leave yourself time and take the right clothes and lots of food. It is easy to use the "motorway" path described to avoid all the technicalities of Sharp Edge.

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The Little Chaps absolutely loved the scramble and the sense of achievement of reaching a big summit really resonated with them.  It was great to see loads of other families out and about on this mountain (they were not on Sharp Edge)  so consider the main pathway to the summit for your adventure. This is a great day out and a really achieveable major Lakeland Summit for Little Legs. 

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