Tuesday 11th September 2007

Start point: Mungrisdale (NY 361 303)

Mungrisdale - Souther Fell - Scales Tarn - Sharp Edge - Blencathra - Mungrisdale Common - Bannerdale Crags - Bowscale Fell - East Top on Bowscale Fell - Mungrisdale

Distance: 10.4 miles     Total Ascent: 960 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and bright. 18oC.

Route Map

It was an early start again today, climbing Souther Fell with the sun rising across the low lying mist. By the time I reached Scales Tarn for the start of the climb of Sharp Edge, the sun was shining and the weather was glorious with lovely clear views all around; a glorious walk on a glorious day.

Sunrise in Mungrisdale at the start of the climb to Souther Fell, Little Mell Fell and Great Mell Fell in view.

There was lots of early morning mist this morning lying in the valleys.

Mungrisdale mist.

The Bowscale Fell ridge from Souther Fell. The final route of ascent later will be along it.

The summit of Souther Fell looking to Clough Head and the Dodds.

Blencathra clearly showing where the alternative name of Saddleback comes from with Bannerdale Crags in the foreground.

A lie down after the steep warm-up for Casper.

Blencathra from the southern cairn on Souther Fell.

A first glimpse of Sharp Edge from Mousthwaite Comb - it is the light band of rock arcing upwards to the highest pinnacle and looks almost impossible to climb from here.

Sharp Edge above Scales Tarn - it doesn't look quite as bad now.

The approach to Sharp Edge.

Up there?!

Climbing Sharp Edge.

Casper negotiates some of the slabs.

...and looking back down.

High above Scales Tarn now.

Made it! A lovely clear view from the summit of Blencathra today. To the north there were views to Scotland over low lying mist.

Wisps of cloud hang around on Hall's Fell Ridge.

The north western fells above Derwent Water and Keswick.

Casper.

Skiddaw from the summit tarn on Blencathra.

The Skiddaw massif across Mungrisdale Common.

Mungrisdale Common, that most derided of Wainwright fells as it is merely a large and grassy expanse with not a lot going for it - apart from today that is because Casper is there to liven the scene up! (Note: he is not there every day, unfortunately).

Sharp Edge from the climb to Bannerdale Crags, here seen rising from the centre up to the right.

Blencathra from the summit of Bannerdale Crags.

Looking east from the summit of Bowscale Fell.

Looking over Bowscale Tarn to Mosedale and High Pike from the East Top of Bowscale Fell.

Carrock Fell from the east ridge of Bowscale Fell.

Souther Fell from the descent across a sea of bracken.

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