Scales – Blencathra (Scales Fell – Doddick Fell – Hallsfell Top – Gategill Fell – Known Crags – Blease Fell – Atkinson Pike) – Scales
Distance: 12.7 km Total Ascent: 745 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 15 minutes (moving time) Start Time: 10:55
The wintry weather continued in the Lake District so I headed north today to make the most of it and wow, I wasn’t disappointed. This was a perfect winter’s day one of the best and very enjoyable on one of my favourite fells. There was a surprising bit of cloud around the summit for a while but when that cleared it was indeed magical. What a great day out on the fells!
Great Mell Fell at the start of the climb from Scales.
It looked as though it was going to be the perfect winter day.
A beautiful sun filled sky but the temperatures were sub-zero still. It was warm enough climbing in the sunshine though and the going was easy in soft snow.
Plenty of ski tracks on the side of Mousthwaite comb.
The Pennines to the east. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, blue skies everywhere with all the fells being visible...
...until we got to the top of Scales fell when there was one fell covered in cloud - and we were on it!
Seemingly out of nowhere and un-noticed until now the cloud has covered the top of Blencathra.
What a view to the south.
Climbing higher the wind really picked so it was time to layer up and get the micro-spikes on at the same time.
Sharp Edge.
Getting colder as we climbed higher.
Someone is climbing Sharp Edge today.
Looking back before we were enveloped in cloud.
A Brocken Spectre.
Cornice.
It was eerie at the top with the sun trying to burn through the cloud.
Hurry up Dad!
Blencathra summit. It was like Piccadilly Circus behind me so I carried on across the summit to see if I could get out of the cloud again.
Yes, I could! Skiddaw now has a cloud cap.
That's more like it! Wow, the view was fabulous now looking to Gategill Fell Top.
Great Calva.
Snowy edge.
The Coledale fells from Blease Fell.
Superb! Depending on where you were on the ridge, the wind was quite fierce - you can see the spindrift in the sky in this photo.
Skiddaw is clear of cloud now.
Looking back from Blease Fell.
We found a nice, sheltered spot between Gategill and Blease Fell with a lunch spot with views to die for. There was only one thing on Fletcher's mind - it was Bonio time! I talked to quite a few passing folk here including people on skis, the conditions were peect for that with the deep snow.
Something to look at over lunch.
...and the view the other way.
Heading back to the summit now with the moon rising over Hall's Fell.
A long view to the east.
The summit of Blencathra, now clear of cloud (and people!).
Hall's Fell Ridge.
Looking back up from the descent, the Saddleback clearly visible now.
Blencathra in the setting sun.
Judith Griffiths says
What a totally fantastic day and set of pictures Sean. A real joy to see them, knowing I’ll never have a day anything like that again (age!). I used to see your site regularly, starting from when Connie was small, but haven’t looked for ages, then I noticed you pop up on Facebook, where I do follow various Lake District pages, and checked you out. What a set to return to! I’ll have to look again more often. Thanks for all your pics over the years anyway.
Sean McMahon says
Thanks Judith, nice to ‘see’ you again 🙂
Beverley Kelly says
I am the same. It’s good to see Sean back to putting walks on this site.
Sean McMahon says
Thanks Beverley, hope you are well.
Carl says
Welcome back, Sean. Sorry to hear about poor Fletch. We were privileged enough to meet him in the shop once. RIP.
Sean McMahon says
Thanks Carl.