Blencathra

We were staying at the foot of Blencathra so decided it would be rude not to ascend the hill towering over us. It was Steve’s Birthday and we woke up to blue skies and sunshine. As we’d not had clear views the evening before we weren't sure what the snow conditions would be like so packed all the winter gear – the fell top assessor report the previous day had said it was still quite icy above 750m.

We set off from our cottage itself after checking we could follow the fields onto the hill. After that we had a longish walk along the bottom of the hill before we could head up. Steve looked longingly up as we passed Halls Fell Ridge we had to bypass it as we wanted to bag a hill called Gategill Fell Top. 

The slog up to said top was pretty grassy and tiring (I was missing the snow) and it was a relief when it finally leveled out.

Once on the ridge we were subjected to a chilly wind and we didn't stop for long.

It was a bit confusing as to which top was which part of the ridge as we’d been (I’d been..) too busy enjoying the views to pay much attention to the map. We soon realized though that ahead was Atkinson Pike where we stopped to cower behind a cairn to shove some sandwiches in before we could get any colder.

Descending down we stopped on Foule Crag to watch people ascending up Sharp Edge – It didn't look too intimidating from that angle, but I’m sure it’s much worse when you’re on it.

Avalanche debris, fallen directly onto a path 

Although most the snow had melted there were still hanging/cracking cornices along the edges. It was easy going on to Bannerdale Crags, where we stayed high to follow yet more corniced edges to Bowscale Fell.

It was nice to stop in the wind shelter to take a break from the chill. We then had to decide whether to take the easy path down or to follow a ridge called ‘The Tongue’ which was casting a very tongue like shadow on the fellside.

We went for the harder option and had a big of a boggy stomp to the end of the tongue where we dropped off the end to head down a steep side to the River Glendermachen.

I was a bit concerned at this point that my route was a bit ambitious as it involved renascent, which is a bit of a no/no at the end of a long walk! Luckily we had a nice graveled track most the way. It felt odd as it really felt like we were heading back up the hill. After around 2 miles we crossed the river to head up the steep hillside to then go straight back down to Mousthwaite Combe. As we were carefully picking our way down over avalanche debris (there was no snow left to fall off the hill, it was all at the bottom) we were passed by a young family running at full pelt – I wished I didn't have my boots on and could have joined them!

Once down we had a short walk along the A66 where they had thankfully built a pavement with a cycle path on it- I don’t think the road walking would have been do-able without it. You could stay high, but we’d missed our path and weren't in the mood to go back up. It was great to get to the top of Blencathra, just a little disappointing it wasn't more snowy.