Blencathra

Walked on 25/11/2023

Scales – Blencathra (Scales Fell – Doddick Fell – Hallsfell Top – Gategill Fell – Known Crags – Blease Fell – Atkinson Pike) – Foul Crag – Bannerdale Crags – White Horse Bent – Mousthwaite Comb – Scales

Distance: 12.3 km Total Ascent: 815 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 10 minutes (moving time) Start Time: 07:00

It was potentially going to be a beautiful day so I fancied a walk up Blencathra to catch the sunrise – thankfully the forecast turned out to be correct and it was indeed a fantastic morning. I loved every minute of this one…

Climbing Scales Fell at dawn and it was surprisingly light, no need for a headtorch.

Following Fletcher on Scales Fell.

First glimpse of the sun.

I wasn't quite at the top but not far off on Doddick Fell. Oddly enough, as I climbed after this there were a lot of people descending immediately after the sunrise.

looking towards Atkinson Pike from Hallsfell top.

Blencathra summit - the trig. 'O' is now a trig. 'C'!

What a beautiful morning.

The sun hasn't made it to the Vale of Keswick yet.

The Back o' Skiddaw.

Fletcher, patiently waiting for me. Jacket on now as the cold wind picked up on the top plus gloves off, gloves on, gloves off....(for camera operation!).

Looking back to the summit from Gategill Fell.

Know Crags, Blease Fell and beyond.

A panoramic from Blease Fell.

Any treats in there Dad?

A view into Coledale.

Retracing our steps.

Now it's all ours Fletcher, everyone has disappeared.

A view across the Solway Firth to Scotland.

The sun is higher on our return...

...and now turning into a properly gorgeous morning.

Vale of Keswick panoramic.

Skiddaw from the summit.

The White Cross.

Bannerdale Crags, our next target. We are at the top of Sharp Edge (bottom right).

The descent of Foule Crag and it is still icy in the shadows.

Sharp Edge profile.

Phew, warm now and down to shirt sleeves on Bannerdale Crags.

The East Ridge.

A Currick, Bannerdale Fell.

Blencathra.

The Sharpest of Edges from White Horse Bent.

Sharp Edge, Blencathra.

Nearly back to the car - Mousthwaite Combe.

Bannerdale Crags

Height: 683 metres / 2241 feet Grid reference: NY 33616 29081 Category: The Northern Fells

Blencathra from the summit of Bannerdale Crags

A wintry Blencathra from Bannerdale Crags summit.

Bannerdale Crags

Walked on 04/04/2014

Start Point: Mungrisdale (NY 361 303)

Mungrisdale – East Ridge – Bannerdale Crags – Bowscale Fell – Bowscale Tarn – Bowscale – Mungrisdale

Distance: 6.7 miles Total Ascent: 560 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 07:45

Weather: Overcast, 10°C

Today we had a walk up the east ridge of Bannerdale Crags. The views weren’t so great and neither are the photos but the fresh air and the silence was. This route will feature in Trail magazine in the August edition.

A dull morning at Mungrisdale.

Souther Fell across the River Glenderamackin.

A (sort of) view to Bannerdale Crags - there wasn't much to see through the murk today but it was far better than being in the office!

Looking back along the valley from the start of the climb of the east ridge.

Bright eyed and not so bushy tailed - a new haircut for Dougal.

A glimpse of Bannerdale.

Looking back down the east ridge.

Living on a razor's edge, balancing on a ledge...

Climbing the east ridge.

The view from higher up.

The Wainwright summit cairn on Bannerdale Crags. I don't know who that cheery old chappie was - he no speak and he no move!

On the highest point - has he gone yet?

Bowscale Tarn.

Colourful sheep.

Bannerdale Round

Walked on 11/09/2012

Start point: Mungrisdale (NY 361 303)

Mungrisdale – East Ridge – Bannerdale Crags – Bowscale Fell – East Top on Bowscale Fell – Bowscale Tarn – Bowscale – Mungrisdale

Distance: 7.3 miles Total Ascent: 607 metres Time Taken: 3 hours Start Time: 09:40

Weather: A mixed bag of everything. 12°C

It seemed a lot cooler and fresher today than of late for a walk to Bannerdale Crags and I was confident of the weather clearing as I set of from Mungrisdale in the rain. The weather was a right old mixture of rain and hail showers, strong wind and sunshine. The climb to Bannerdale Crags following the east ridge is highly recommended with a nice scramble on the upper section.

Setting off from Mungrisdale in the rain, Bannerdale Crags in the distance and The Tongue to the right.

A few minutes later, all change over The Tongue.

The east ridge of Bannerdale Crags running left to right, today's route of ascent.

Sunshine on Bannerdale Crags from the start of the climb of the east ridge.

Bannerdale Crags, the rim running along the horizon.

Looking back along the River Glenderamackin.

The east ridge and the summit to the right.

Dougal, sheep spotting, and Bowscale Fell in the sunshine.

At the foot of the east ridge.

Bannerdale.

This is a fabulous way up and it is highly recommended if you like a bit of a scramble.

Looking back down along the escarpment.

The summit from the final tower of the east ridge.

Bowscale Fell with its east ridge beyond The Tongue.

The summit of Bannerdale Crags, Bowscale Fell beyond.

The distinctive saddleback shape of...Saddleback (Blencathra).

Dougal (giving me the eye) and Casper.

East ridge profile.

Bowscale fell.

Bannerdale Crags from the ridge leading to Bowscale Fell.

Sunny again on the way to Bowscale Fell.

Looking back to Blencathra after passing a party of walkers.

Skiddaw under cloud from Bowscale Fell, Great Calva to the right.

There was a strong wind up here but these two were loving it anyway.

A panoramic looking to Blencathra and Skiddaw.

Looking along the east ridge of Bowscale Fell.

Clearing skies.

High Pike.

I walked out to the cairn atop the east ridge, here looking across to Blencathra with Bannerdale Crags and the east ridge I climbed centre left. The dark line in front of it is The Tongue.

Bowscale Tarn.

I firstly heard then spotted this sheep gathering down by the tarn. More of those sheep later...

Looking across to Bowscale Fell from the east ridge.

Bowscale Fell from the top of the grassy rake (that is Wainwright's description - it is no longer a grassy rake, more of a muddy groove!).

Descending to Bowscale Tarn.

Carrock Fell.

Beautiful weather now following the track to Bowscale. If you look very closely we are following those sheep mentioned earlier, they are right at the end of the track in this photo.

The Caldew valley.

Bowscale. Oh, and those sheep...

...well, they caused a bit of a traffic jam along the road back to Mungrisdale. It was interesting to follow this party along the road and fascinating to see how three men and five dogs worked this flock - 'garn' ('go on') and 'gerrim' ('get him') were the words of the day. Those dogs were brilliant, just a little nip on the neck or leg of any sheep that dared break free. Of course, I had my two wannabee's with me - they would have loved to join in.

Blencathra via Scales Fell

Walked on 08/02/2011

Start point: Mungrisdale (NY 361 303)

Mungrisdale – Souther Fell – Scales Fell – Blencathra – Bannerdale Crags – Bowscale Fell – The Tongue – Mungrisdale

Distance: 8.1 miles Total Ascent: 907 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 08:40

Weather: An icy cold wind but clear. 5°C

There was a mighty cold and icy wind up on the top of Blencathra today and there was a fresh dusting of snow. The wind and ice were strong enough to keep me off Sharp Edge, that can wait until another day. To the south there was a big cloud build up and the way it lay right across the tops and kept changing made an intriguing backdrop throughout the walk.

The River Glenderamackin at Mungrisdale.

Sky over Great Mell Fell at the start of the climb to Souther Fell.

A bit leaden, but I wondered if it would brighten up?

Bowscale fell and The Tongue, the eventual route of descent.

Casper checks out Bannerdale and Bannerdale Crags. Blencathra is swathed in mist to the left.

The icy summit of Souther Fell. From here and right over Blencathra, the ice cold wind became quite strong.

The cairn at the south western end of Souther Fell.

Heading for Scales Fell.

Sharp Edge from Souther Fell.

The view of Sharp Edge and Foule Crag from Mousthwaite Comb.

Looking back to Souther Fell across Mousthwaite Comb.

Saddleback from Scales Fell.

A zoom shot showing the way the cloud was building to the south and that large layer pouring over the tops and into the valleys seemed to be creeping northwards.

Sharp Edge profile from Scales Fell.

Scales Tarn.

Doddick Fell Top and Scales Fell.

The icy summit of Blencathra, Hallsfell Top.

Hall's Fell Ridge.

Keswick and Derwent Water with that big cloud cap now on the high fells to the west.

Casper and Dougal on the summit of Blencathra.

Looks like playtime for the boys heading to Atkinson Pike.

The Back o' Skiddaw from the part frozen summit tarn.

A contrast in colours from Atkinson Pike.

Mono Blencathra.

The intriguing cloud cap to the south.

At the top of Sharp Edge.

Dougal Doo.

Descending Foule Crag, Bowscale Fell ahead.

Glenderamackin Valley.

Blencathra from Bannerdale Crags.

The main cairn to the north east.

Foule Crag on Blencathra from Bowscale Fell.

Skiddaw from Bowscale Fell summit.

Looks like that big cloud has overtaken Blencathra now as well.

Bowscale Fell from The Tongue.

Mungrisdale from the top of the steeper than steep descent.

Looking back to The Tongue from near Mungrisdale. By the time I got to the car and onto the A66, all the fells that I had been watching under cloud all morning were now clear with the exception of Blencathra which stood alone with its own cloud cap!

Blencathra via Sharp Edge

Walked on 11/09/2007

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.

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.

Back O’ Skiddaw

Walked on 13/07/2005

Start point: Bowscale (NY 358 317)

Bowscale – Bowscale Tarn – East Top on Bowscale Fell (387) – Bowscale Fell (388) – The Tongue (389) – Bannerdale Crags (390) – Blencathra – Mungrisdale Common – Cloven Stone – Lonscale Pike (391) – Lonscale Fell (392) – Jenkin Hill (393) – Skiddaw Lesser Man (394) – Skiddaw Little Man (395) – Skiddaw – Bakestall – Whitewater Dash – Little Calva (396) – Knott – Coomb Height (397) – Little Lingy Hill (398) – Great Lingy Hill (399) – Hare Stones (400) – High Pike (401) – Miton Hill (402) – Round Knott (403) – Carrock Fell (404) – Mungrisdale – Bowscale

Distance: 25.8 miles Total Ascent: 2447 metres Time Taken: 10 hours 50 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm with a slight breeze. 25°C.

Today’s walk was a long circuit of the quiet fells known as ‘The Back o’ Skiddaw’. The weather was very pleasant, not as hot and muggy as it has been recently with a slight, welcome, cooling breeze. The views were absolutely superb at times and I was glad I chose today to do this long walk. The only problem was I forgot my food and 26 miles is a long way without any fuel…

Back O' Skiddaw route map.

Early morning light on Carrock Fell. This was to be the last fell of the walk, some 11 long hours later.

Looking along the Mosedale valley.

Bowscale Tarn, keeper of two immortal fish so legend has it and mentioned by Wordsworth in his poem 'Song at the Feast of Brougham Castle', 1807. '...And both the undying fish that swim, Through Bowscale Tarn did wait on him, The pair were servants of his eye, In their immortality, They moved about in open sight, To and fro, for his delight...'

Strange light and a band of thick low lying cloud to the south from Bowscale Fell's subsidiary east top.

The north western fells seen between Blencathra and Skiddaw.

Blencathra from Bannerdale Crags.

Skiddaw across the summit tarn on Blencathra.

The summit of Blencathra.

Skiddaw from that most derided of Wainwright fells (for not being a true summit), Mungrisdale Common.

Lonscale Fell from Mungrisdale Common. It was a sharp drop off from Blencathra down to Mungrisdale Common then an incredibly steep pull to get back up onto Lonscale Fell via Burnt Horse.

Great Calva from the climb to Lonscale Fell.

The view from Lonscale Pike, the east peak of Lonscale Fell. In the centre is High Rigg with Tewet Tarn visible and Thirlmere behind.

Skiddaw Lesser Man. Little Man and Skiddaw from Jenkin Hill.

There were superb, breath taking views from the climb up to Skiddaw.

The north-western fells from Skiddaw.

Bassenthwaite Lake and Sale Fell from Skiddaw. Not as cold as the last time we were here.

The view reached as far as Scotland over the Solway Firth to Criffel.

Binsey along the Dash Valley. To reach this point was another steep drop off from Bakestall down Birkett Edge and then a hard climb following the fence up to Little Lingy Fell.

The path to Knott.

A quick rest on Coomb Height, Carrock Fell in the background.

High Pike had a welcoming seat...

Evening light and the cloud begins to form on Skiddaw, seen from Round Knott.

Mungrisdale Common

Walked on 17/02/2004

Mungrisdale – Bannerdale Crags – Mungrisdale Common (177) – Cloven Stone – Mungrisdale Common – White Horse Bent – Souther Fell (178) – Mungrisdale

A clear day at last, there was a cold wind above 500 metres.

Mungrisdale Common - 17th February 2004 0421

Bannerdale Crags on the road from Mungrisdale.

Mungrisdale Common - 17th February 2004 0441

Blencathra appears over the lip of Bannerdale Crags.

Mungrisdale Common - 17th February 2004 0491

Blencathra from Bannerdale Crags summit.

Mungrisdale Common - 17th February 2004 0531

Skiddaw from the 'summit' cairn of Mungrisdale Common.

Mungrisdale Common - 17th February 2004 0601

Derwent Water and the distant Fells from Mungrisdale Common. L-R: Bowfell, Esk Pike Scafell, Lingmell, Great Gable, Kirk Fell, Dale Head, Hindscarth, Pillar, Robinson. In the foreground, Blease Fell is to the left and Lonscale Fell to the right.

Mungrisdale Common - 17th February 2004 0621

'Cloven Stone' - marked on the O.S map and by AW.

Mungrisdale Common - 17th February 2004 0711

White Horse Bent

Mungrisdale Common - 17th February 2004 0741

Sharp Edge and Blencathra from White Horse Bent.

Mungrisdale Common - 17th February 2004 0051

outhwest from Souther Fell, in the foreground Clough Head is to the left, Blencathra to the right. On the horizon L-R: Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Esk Pike, Scafell, Lingmell, Great Gable, Brandreth and Kirk Fell.