~Blencathra & Skiddaw~
25th July 2009
I haven't spent much time in the "Northern Fells", so it does seem that when I do venture to this part of the Lakes, I tend to go on big walks. On this occasion I took the car to Threlkeld and was parked by 08:10....
Lonscale Pike to Skiddaw
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk
Blencathra from the roadside
Gategill Mine
The walker is spoilt for choice when contemplating an ascent of Blencathra. I chose Hall's Ridge for my 3rd climb up this fell, I cannot recall which route I took last time, but on my first visit I went up Sharp Edge. I had a look up Gategill at the old mining area before joining the ridge a little higher up from the usual footpath.
Doddick Fell Ridge
Looking Down Hall's Fell Ridge
Looking Up Hall's Fell Ridge
Me on top of Blencathra
The Summit of Mungrisdale Common
I don't wish to bother with too much commentary with these photos, you can tell what the day was like and where I was going. Mungrisdale Common is a curious little mound and must be very pleased with itself to have been "Wainwrighted". From here it was down to The Stake and on to Burnt Horse Ridge for a steep ascent of Lonscale Fell.
Lonscale Fell from Mungrisdale Common
Bird
Skiddaw Lesser Man
Derwentwater and many, many fells
Blencathra is seen beyond this post
Skiddaw Little Man and Derwentwater
The higher reaches of Skiddaw
The Summit of Skiddaw
Maybe I haven't been to the top of this mountain as many times as I should have in the 37 years since I gained my first LD felltop. This is my fourth time up here and today the views in all directions were fantastic.
Carl Side
Ullock Pike - my way down
Carl Side from Long Side
Ullock Pike
Dodd and Derwentwater
Bassenthwaite Lake and patchwork fields
Looking Back
Chapel Road Sign
The end of my walk and a wait for the bus. I made the mistake of walking into Bassenthwaite Village to look for a shop; there isn't one. The bus took me all the way back to Threlkeld and the car. A great facility enabling a fine linear walk.
Walkers: Just Me
Time taken: 8hr 30 minutes over a distance of just over 13 miles.
Route: Threlkeld, Blencathra (Hall's Ridge), Mungrisdale Common, Lonscale Pike, Skiddaw Little Man, Skiddaw, Carl Side, Long Side, Ullock Pike, road to Chapel bus stop at Bassenthwaite Village.
Weather and conditions: The photos say it all
Greetings Count: Medium, the "Old Crown Round" was in progress and Skiddaw attracts tourists as well as serious fellwalkers - whatever they are.
Richard's Refreshment Review: I travelled back down the M6 and had no refreshment stop, not good enough, sorry.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2009 © Leave a comment below if you like, it's quick, free and painless.
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