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.