|
|
Blencathra
from the A66 |
The
path starts from here at Scales on the A66 |
| Somehow managing to find
a parking space at Scales (didn't have a problem
in January!) we donned
our kit and prepared ourselves for the walk. I
took a deep breath as I donned my boots, the memories of the last time
I used them still fresh in my mind ! As we had described Sharp Edge and
the scramble up from it in some detail to Sarah, she took a last look
at her nail extensions as we told her that they would not last all the
way up Sharp Edge ! We were ready!, a last look at the nail extensions
and a deep breath for my feet, and with John and Mike still trying to
decide whether to wear shorts or not we left the car. |
|
|
After
the gate left for Hall's Fell and Doddick Fell, right for Scales Fell |
The
path makes it's way up the fell side above Scales |
| The path leaves the A66
between a couple of houses and makes its way up to a gate in the wall. It
was decision time already! If we went left we could make our way up Blencathra
via Doddick Fell or Hall's Fell. If we wanted Scales Fell or Sharp Edge
we would turn right. The path to the left is very good and the trip up
Hall's Fell ridge is, after an initial hard slog, great. We had already
sort of decided to do Sharp Edge but a quick discussion confirmed this
and it was to the right that we went. The path started to make its way
steadily upwards at an easy gradient. Soon the ferns and gorse bushes
started to crowd the path as it made it's way upwards, I think the John
and Mike were glad that they had resisted the temptation to wear shorts! |
 |
 |
Looking
back along the path |
The
start of the steep section |
As
my purple walking coat had come in for a bit of stick lately I had
left it at home today, opting for a more lightweight grey summer
jacket (who
says I don't do fashion?) Even this was packed away in my rucksack
along with the usual food, water, first aid kit, kitchen sink and today
a spare pair of boots (I really do have a phobia
about my feet now!) With
all this weight it was no wonder that I was soon sweating! I stopped
to take a quick photo and the others carried on. I was quite surprised
when I soon caught them up, I was not the only one who seemed a bit out
of breath! This path is quite deceptive, it gains quite a lot of height
without it seeming too, very strange. As we rounded a corner we were
confronted with the start of a steep section above Mousethwaite Comb.
With it being warm, and all of us feeling at bit rubbery in the leg department
we stopped for a coffee break. |
|
|
The
path above Mousethwaite Comb |
Looking
back |
| Having
some liquid refreshment and removing various layers of clothing we
admired the view over Mousethwaite Comb. I couldn't help but notice
that most of the liquid refreshment was contained in water bottles
that I have purchased from my local outdoor shop. I had got one for
John, who after using it decided that it wasn't big enough, so I got
him a larger one. His old one seems to have found a home in Sarah's
rucksack! (I knew that I should
have bought shares in the manufacturer of these bottles!) I even
noticed that they had the same drink that I always take, frozen Vimto! (Is
Vimto registered on the FTSE 100 share index?) Frozen Vimto is
the most refreshing drink on the hills on warm days like this, but only
when it has melted slightly (not good on winter
walks!) |
 |
 |
A
first glimpse of Sharp Edge |
Souther
Fell above the River Glenderamackin |
| Suitably refreshed we made
our way up the steep section and out onto the col between Scales Fell
and Souther Fell. Here we caught the first glimpse of Sharp Edge.
After the last ten minutes or so that it had taken us to get here I was
feeling very weak in my legs and just sat down for a break, I didn't
hear any complaints from the others so I assume that they felt pretty
much the same ! Now that the steep part of the walk was out of the way
the path made its way along the side of Scales Fell straight along the
valley, disappearing in the distance. |
|
|
Sharp
Edge getting nearer |
Brunt
Knott |
| We made really good time
along this path. Being mostly level it made for easy walking after the
steep climb above Mousethwaite Comb, it's not really that steep but still
it seemed like hard work! All
the time the silhouette of Sharp Edge and Foule Crag grew nearer and
nearer. From here it looks daunting, we couldn't wait to set foot on
it! All too soon Sharp Edge disappeared from view behind Brunt Knott,
here we turned left and started the next steep ascent up to Scales Tarn. |
|
|
The
path rising towards Scales Tarn |
And
a stop for a coffee |
| About half way up this path
the sun finally broke through the clouds and it started to get really
warm. Again, as we seemed to be very lethargic when it came to steep
sections today we stopped for a break. The small stream that came
out of Scales Tarn looked very inviting, somewhere to dip your head into
a small waterfall on a really hot day, but it wasn't that hot yet! A
couple of minutes after setting off again we reached Scales Tarn. |
|
Scales
Tarn |
| Today Scales Tarn was bathed in
sunshine, it was a perfect spot for a lunch break even though it was
only a few minutes since we had last stopped! Making our way down to
the Tarn we soon found a nice spot and settled down for our first lunch
break. I took the opportunity to check out my feet to see if there were
any problems. The gentle breeze made my feet feel wonderful, whilst the
others started to complain about the cold, especially as the sun hid
behind the clouds for a time. (It's about time
my feet enjoyed themselves!) |
|
|
Sharp
Edge |
The
authors feet, all well so far! |
| From Scales Tarn the route
up to Sharp Edge looked easy, the Edge and the Foule Crags above it looked
a lot less imposing from a closer look. Isn't it amazing how things
can change when you get close up and personal with them? For example
Jack's Rake looks impossible from across Stickle Tarn, but once you get
near to it, it is a different story. Sharp Edge is the same. Compare
the first glimpse that we had of it today and the sight of it from Scales
Tarn, totally different! |
|
Sharp
Edge and Tarn Crags in shadow |
| The urge to linger here was very
strong, when the sun came out from behind the clouds it was warm and
a great place just to sit and watch the silhouette of walkers go across
Sharp Edge, it was just one of those days that seem few and far between.
So somewhat reluctantly we set off up to the start of Sharp Edge. It
wasn't the steepest of paths but we still took our time, stopping occasionally
to admire the view of Scales Tarn getting smaller and smaller as we gained
height. |
|
|
Walkers
on Sharp Edge |
Preparing
for Sharp Edge |
| When we arrived at the start
of Sharp Edge we all stopped. There seemed to be a lot of discussion
about what the sun was doing and whether to put on or take off some clothing
layers, I think that they wanted to make the decision before venturing
onto the edge as no one fancied
going through this exercise half way along the Edge! Really it was just
an exercise in calming their nerves and seeing who would go first! |
|
|
John
in his element! |
Mike
and Sarah waiting for us |
| John and Sarah got themselves
ready, I had a quick breather and Mike just waited for us. Mike's great
at times like this, he just looks on in bemused silence with a look that
sort of says "what's all the fuss about, can't we just get on with
it?" Anyway, we were ready
for Sharp Edge now! |
|
|
Making
our way up Sharp Edge |
Looking
down to Scales Tarn |
| If you don't like the look
of walking along the full length of Sharp Edge there is, just like on
Striding Edge, a path that runs along side but slightly below the edge
that can be used. The path holds
no dangers but that would be like going to watch football at Anfield
or Old Trafford, falling asleep at half time, and watching the highlights
on telly later on that evening!, what's the point? We had paid our entrance
money by walking in from Scales, and now we were going to watch Owen
or van Nistelroy score a hatrick by walking or moving forwards by mean
of hands, feet and whatever else came in useful along the highest, most
exposed top of Sharp Edge! (God can't I waffle
at times!) |
|
|
|
Foule
Crags, above Sharp Edge |
John
giving Sarah some encouragement along the Edge |
| Making our way along the
ridge there are times when you feel safe, and times when you feel like
you are just about to lose your balance, it's great! I looked back to
see the expression on Sarah's face, and yes there it was, that silly
grin that means she is having fun! After
quite a few walks with the absence of rock underfoot that grin had returned,
that is not to say that she has not enjoyed the walks, but give Sarah
some rock to get a grip of and she is in her element! |
|
|
Along
the level section of Sharp Edge |
Nearing
the end of the level section |
| We made
our way further along the edge, sometimes stopping to wait for each
other, sometimes stopping just to admire the view downwards. The sun
came out and then went back in, all the time each of us had a great
big smile on their faces, this was what we enjoy the most ! Occasionally
we came across flat sections of rock that gently slopped away. These
held no problems today but I kept thinking back to the decent that
John and I made here in winter when the rock was slick with rain and
snow, very slippy and very dangerous, not to be treated lightly at
all. |
|
|
Looking
back along the Edge |
Still
a way to go yet |
| The further along the ridge
we went the better it got. Looking back you could see that it had
become narrower and with a steeper drop on both sides. Scales Tarn started
to look like a little pond and the crags in front started to look a bit
more daunting (what did I say about perception
just a few minutes ago?) The sections of sloping rock started
to increase and I think I came across the point where we had come across
a crag fast party on our last visit. |
|
|
|
Scales
Tarn |
John
contemplating the steep crags at the end of Sharp Edge |
| As you near the end of Sharp
Edge the ridge starts to become
less "sharp" and offer more choices of routes along it. I think
we all took different routes here! In places you had no choice but to
make your way across the gently sloping sections of rock. I keep going
on about these sections, but I do it for a reason, when wet you would
probably feel safer walking on ice than on the rock! Trust me, I've done
it and it is no fun at all! The rock is worn smooth by countless generations
of boots and backsides and is totally different when wet. |
|
|
Just
past the slippery rocks (very bad news when wet) |
Looking
back along Sharp Edge |
| Here's
me going on about wet rock and dangerous decent's, today was totally
different. It was dry, sunny and just about the best place to be on a
Saturday afternoon (when does the football season
start?) Only joking! |
|
|
|
Is
this Usual Gully ? |
Looking
back from another slippery section of rock, it was ok today though! |
| At the end of the ridge
there is large rock formation with a section of flat rock underneath
it. When descending you would
naturally head for this area as it would offer some shelter from any
wind, and it was flat! Directly below this point is a gully that falls
away steeply, I am convinced that this is the "usual gully" that
the Keswick MRT mention on there web site and in publications! You see,
the thing is when this rock is wet...........You can see it though can't
you! Stepping onto this nice looking flat rock and whoosh!, your feet
go from under you and the next thing you know you are in this gully below
Sharp Edge! Enough of this! Sharp Edge is great in good weather, but
in bad weather it is a totally different place. When John and I descended
here in winter I felt that it was such an inhospitable place, so cold,
wet and windy that I did not see myself ever returning. I am glad that
I did, but only because we had the weather. |
|
|
The
end of Sharp Edge |
Mike
making the most of it! |
| When you come to the end
of Sharp Edge you come out on a small piece of level ground and the sight
of Foule Crag above you. This is probably more daunting than what has
gone before! You look straight
up and can't see the end of it. It's all rock and soon your neck muscles
start to strain at keeping your head in a position that lets you see
your way forwards (sorry, upwards!). After
a few minutes telling each other how much we enjoyed Sharp Edge we had
to start climbing up. |
|
|
Looking
up the Crags at the end of Sharp Edge |
and
looking back along Sharp Edge from here |
| We could
hear the sounds of some people trying to make their way down but couldn't
really see them yet. I started to climb up my chosen route, the first
ten feet or so being a case of spreading arms and legs to their full
extent to try and find something to grip or hold onto up the slippery
rock (Right
that's it! If I mention slippery rock again, someone shoot me, I've had
enough !) |
|
|
The
fun begins! |
John
offering advice to Sarah |
| About twenty feet up I was
able to sort of stand upright and look back down to the others. John
started to come up, soon Sarah followed "Hey !, this rock is slippy!" she
said (I didn't mention it!) as she started
to try and follow my route up. She then started to follow John's route
up which was more to the left, and rather more exposed than my route,
but gave better holds than mine. |
|
|
Choose
your own way up! |
Sharp
Edge again |
I made my way up the center
of the crag, there was a sort of natural route up that I took, it did
not give any sense of exposure apart from straight down and I made quick
progress. By now I was again holding the camera in one hand so
it could not have been that bad. I stopped to take some pictures looking
back, with the sun shining along Sharp Edge I was really impressed
with the way it seemed to stand out from the surrounding fell side. |
|
|
The
others took a more exposed route than myself! |
Sarah,
making me nervous! |
| I had to look around for
the others, eventually seeing them coming up to my left. I was able to
lean against a parapet of rock and look down to them. I
must admit that my heart was in my mouth as I watched Sarah making her
way up! I felt perfectly safe where I was, I was able to stand upright,
lean against some solid rock and look over it and down to see Sarah climbing
up with nothing between her and Scales Tarn apart from about 500 feet
of nothing (That's the height of Blackpool Tower
where I come from!) |
 |
|
A
RAF Sea King helicopter, just in case! |
Sharp
Edge from the top of the Crags |
| Two things made me feel
a bit better. One, after asking if she was Ok, Sarah shouted up to me
not to be worried, as if she wasn't worried or didn't feel safe then
I shouldn't worry on her behalf!, and the second was the sight of an
RAF helicopter passing by just below us, not that we needed the insurance
or sense of well being that rescue was near at hand! John gave her
some words of advice and encouragement (I don't
think she needed them though!). Mike suddenly turned up next to
me with that " What's all the fuss about" look on his face
and soon we were all reunited again on a less exposed part of the crag! |
|
|
Blencathra's
summit comes into view |
Scales
Fell |
| All too soon it was over.We
reached the top of the crag and there was the path leading to the summit
of Blencathra, after all the fun and excitement of getting up Sharp Edge
and Foule Crag I was starting to think about summits again! We had put
the hardest part of the day behind us, thinking back about it, the climb
up to the col above Mousethwaite Comb was not that difficult and the
climb up to Scales Tarn did not tax us too much! The rest of the walk
in was just great, with the spectacle of Sharp Edge the highlight. Sharp
Edge and Foul Crag are just too enjoyable to be considered as hard work.
From here on we would have an easy walk up to the summit with views down
the various ridges as company, it really does not get any better than
this! |
|
|
Scales
Fell and the end of Doddick Fell Ridge |
Hall's
Fell Ridge |
| After allowing John the
time to change into his shorts, as the sun seemed to be here for the
duration now, we set off to the summit. If
you walk up Blencathra by one of the ridges, you will have a good walk
with the highlight being the summit. If you ascend via Sharp Edge the
highlight will be that and not the summit! That is not meant to take
anything away from Blencathra, as you head towards the summit you are
treated to great views down Scales Fell with the Doddick Fell Ridge coming
up to it, and then the Hall's Fell Ridge and then the actual summit.
These ridges all offer a great walk, the Hall's Fell Ridge is especially
good, but when you ascend via Sharp Edge you get to see these ridges
in turn as you head along the "saddle" to the summit. |
|
Scales
Fell with Doddick Fell Ridge descending off to the right. Souther Fell
in the distance and Bannerdale Crags between them. |
| As you walk along the saddle these
ridges appear below you, one really noticeable feature is the path that
comes up Scales Fell from Scales Tarn. It is a well trodden path that
offers an easy way down to the Tarn from the "saddle" but does
not appear on the OS 1:25000, nor did AW make any mention of it! Only
on the Harveys Map is it seen, this did cause some confusion on my previous
visit here in poor weather. Passing on by the Scales Fell Ridge you come
across the Hall's Fell Ridge. As AW describes it "For
active walkers and scramblers this route is positively the
finest way to any mountain top in the district. It is direct, exhilarating,
has glorious views, and (especially satisfying) scores a direct bulls
eye by leading unerringly to the summit cairn" I have
done this route before and at the time I did agree with this sentiment,
now I have to say that the route we took today is better! |
|
The
Gategill Fell Ridge |
| Arriving at the summit at
the head of Hall's Fell Ridge there seemed to be a bit of doubt entering
my mind. This was the summit, there was a cairn, over in the distance
was Gategill Fell Top and directly below us was Hall's Fell, yet still
something seemed not quite right, there was something missing! As the
summit was quite crowded it took a while before I realized what was missing,
the summit Trig Point! There was an elderly gent who had placed his rucksack
directly onto the circle that was the Trig Point! (Have
I talked about old people before?, please see the Mosedale
Horseshoe if in any doubts!) There was a great number of people
at the summit now, none of which could see the trig point or read it's
inscription as this elderly gent had the bad manners to spoil the summit
of Blencathra for all at this time! After waiting a few minutes and not
wanting to start an episode of "summit rage!" I suggested to
the others that we adjourn for something to eat. |
|
|
A
lunch spot above Hall's Fell Ridge |
Hall's
Fell Ridge |
| Venturing slightly down
the ridge we chose a great spot for lunch. Maybe this was the spot that
AW mentioned as being on the lee side and cuts off the prevailing wind.
regardless, it was a great spot for a break! We enjoyed quite a time
here, the view down Hall's Fell Ridge was great. We could see over Threlkeld
to the Dodd's and the sun was shining, it was great! One
of the best things about Blencathra was shown to perfection here, the
sense of height above it's surroundings, looking down you could see St
Johns in the Vale and Thirlemere, the A66, Derwentwater, any where you
looked you just felt HIGH UP! |
|
|
Blencathra's
summit cairn and trig thing! |
The
terrible Trio plus one at Blencathra's summit |
| I kept on looking
back up to the summit and eventually the elderly gent left. Not only
had he gone but the rest of the crowds had disappeared as well! (obviously
fed up of waiting for the elderly gent!) I took this opportunity
to race up to the summit and snap some pictures before I lost the chance!
I even managed to persuade the others to join me for some summit photo's! |
|
Panorama
to the West from Blencathra's summit |
| I
took some time taking various panoramic photo's. I have sort of given
up taking these sorts of shots but today the views were too good to miss.
In my experience it is not that often that you are rewarded with the
views that we had today! |
|
Panorama
to the South West from Blencathra's summit |
| Looking to the south west Gategill
Fell Top looked very inviting with Derwentwater beyond, I thought about
walking over there for a look around but decided against it, next time
maybe! It was one of those days that I wanted to be everywhere at the
same time! The weather was great and the views so good that I did not
want to miss any out! |
 |
360
Degree panorama from Blencathra |
| Discussing this with the others
I started to talk about our options. I really wanted to get Mungrisdale
Common out of the way and felt that we could do that and then Bowscale
Fell and Bannerdale Crags. I was not that bothered about the latter but
really wanted to do Mungrisdale Common as I could not really see any
point in making a return trip just for this (something
that we all agreed upon later!) deciding to do Mungrisdale Common at least I also told the
others that I had to see the White Cross |
|
|
Looking
along the saddle towards Foule Crag (Atkinson Pike on the OS 1;5000
maps) |
The
first white cross. Located between Blencathra's summit and the small
Tarn |
| From the summit of Blencathra
we made a beeline towards Atkinson Pike, or Foule Crag depending on your
map. Just before we reached the unnamed Tarn in
the middle of the saddle we came across a white cross. Just one look
was enough to confirm that this was not THE white cross but
another. Carrying on past the Tarn we came across the White Cross. There
was no doubt about this being the right cross, it was so much larger
than the imitation that we had seen before. |
|
|
THE
White Cross, located between the Tarn and Foule Crag |
John
. Not really sure what he is doing here, but he doesn't look comfy |
| The White Cross was really something
to see. I did not really know what to expect, the size of it impressed
me and the fact that apart from the odd bit of white quartz that we had
seen laying about,where had it all come from? Who had built it? and why?
AW does mention some of it's history, but still questions remain! John,
being John decided to try the cross out for size. Not being put off by
a recent haranguing by a local woman in Staveley who took offence at
us sitting around the war memorial in the village (I
bet she doesn't know that there are 43 names etched for ever in that
memorial!, we do, because we took the time to look around and remember
what the memorial was there for!!!) I don't think he felt comfortable
there as he soon got up! |
|
|
A slate
cross located nearby |
The cairn
above the descent(Atkinson Pike) |
| To confuse matters even more nearby
was another cross! This one was made of slate and did not match the other
two for artistic endeavor or splendor, but still, three crosses in such
a small area? We all took a look at each other and sort of looked upwards.
What was going on! On our way over to these crosses I had pointed out
our next target of Mungrisdale Common to the others. It took a lot of
pointing and explaining because when they followed the direction of my
pointing arms all they could see was the higher hills around the area
like Skiddaw, Bakestall, Great Calva and Knott! "No, No, No... down
there!" I had to point down to Mungrisdale Common. "What, that?" seemed
to be the general comment that I received when they realized what I was
trying to draw their attention too Mungrisdale Common ! |
|
|
Mungrisdale
Common, at least the shadows add some interest! |
The descent
from Atkinson's Pike |
| Heading down the zigzag path at
least made the start of the route interesting. Heading down towards some
crags something caught my eye, something white against the green and
blue slate background. From the path we had a different view of Sharp
Edge and Foule Crag, maybe not many people get to see this side of the
Sharp Edge as who in their right mind would descend this way? |
|
|
Sharp
Edge from the decent |
And another
White Cross ! |
| As we neared the spot of white
it turned out to be yet another white cross. This one being much smaller
and I hate to say it, but slightly deformed! I can remember exchanging
glances with Sarah, we both decided that something really strange was
going on. I have come across cairns that have crosses in them before
but nothing like this. I knew about THE White Cross and it's smaller
imitation, but come on! Four crosses in such a small area, some thing
was going on! Hindsight is such a wonderful thing though!, as I look
back I am in no doubt about the reason for this smaller, rather deformed
cross, it is their to warn the unwary traveler about Mungrisdale Common! |
|
|
|
Looking
back up to Atkinson Pike from the White Cross |
Mungrisdale
Common |
| With one last look back to Atkinson
Pike we set off for the journey to Mungrisdale Common. It spread before
us, a gently sloping mound of grass, in the distance I could just make
out a speck of darkness on in the surrounding green, how I hoped that
that was the "summit"! |
|
|
|
Looking
back to Atkinson Pike |
Some point
of interest on Mungrisdale Common, it's even on the OS map! |
| Getting to Mungrisdale Common
is like walking in mist and rain!, there is nothing of interest and you
just have to put your head down and get on with it. I did this and I
game across some old enclosures on the way. Later, back at home I noticed
that these were actually on the OS map! Boy that must have cheered the
map makers up, something to draw on Mungrisdale Common! Looking back
I was surprised to see the others way behind me, I think that they thought
this was a wind up and did not really want to commit themselves fully
in case I suddenly turned around and said " only joking!" Not
that I have done this to them in the past of course! |
|
|
A path
of sorts heading towards the "summit" |
Derwent
Water, something of interest |
| From the old enclosure there was
a sort of path leading away towards the summit. It was quite indistinct
and I could not make my mind up with whether this was man made or just
a sheep track. I was somewhat surprised to see a fellow walker heading
in our direction, as we passed no words were said, the quizzical look
and smiles on both our faces conveyed words such as "Yup, Mungrisdale
Common, I've fallen for this one too!!" The smile was enough and
I think we both had a silent laugh with each other! |
|
|
|
The "summit" cairn
coming into view |
John and
Sarah try bog jumping to relieve the boredom! |
| Even the sheep were laughing at
us along here! As we neared the "summit" I could definitely
make out a cairn of sorts. The odd piece of boggy ground helped to pass
the time as we attempted some bog jumping to relieve the boredom! (must
revisit Kinder Scout some day!) Eventually after what seemed like an
eternity we reached the summit of Mungrisdale Common. It was quite amusing
really. We all sort of looked at each other and tried our best not to
laugh! Sarah came out with comments like "Is this it!" and
Mike just looked confused. John, always the optimist , said that it wasn't
that bad as the smell reminded him of Ireland! Here we were, two thousand
feet plus up, in the Lake District on a glorious sunny day, and the best
we could come up with was "it smell's nice!" That just about
sums up Mungrisdale Common, it smells nice! |
|
|
|
Mungrisdale"summit" cairn |
Sarah just
doesn't get it, whilst Mike is still looking for a summit! |
| I even took a full 360 degree
panoramic photo, not because of the view, but to prove to myself in years
to come that I did do something daft on my trips into the hills. Mungrisdale
Common, 360 degrees of featureless, boggy, boring real estate! Even the
sheep that we had come across looked bored out of their minds! But then
again it did smell nice! |
|
|
The terrible
trio plus one on Mungrisdale summit |
Heading
back towards something |
| This was probably
the least amount of time that we had spent on any Lakeland "summit". I really
struggle to allow myself to type the word "summit" in this
account of Mungrisdale Common! A summit is something to be reached, a
goal to achieve, something worth doing. Sadly, Mungrisdale Common is
nothing more than a tick against a list and nothing more! (It
really pains me to say bad things about any mountain or hill, but go
and see for yourself. You have been warned though!) |
|
360
degree panorama from Mungrisdale Common |
| With all the photographs taken
we all looked at each other and without words left the "summit" for
our return journey. There was another of those very indistinct paths
heading in the general direction of Glenderamackin Col that we followed.
We had another few attempts at bog jumping to relieve the boredom, that
and the views of the burning on Knott kept us from going mad! |
|
|
Interesting
results of burning on Coomb Height, the eastern shoulder of Knott.
Very pretty! |
At last
....a path! |
| Eventually we came across a path,
a real path that had been worn down through the grass to the soil below!
This was made by either man or sheep attempting to escape from Mungrisdale
Common! Once on the path I think we all said a silent thank you, apart
from John that is, who was still going on about the nice smell! |
|
|
Bowscale
Fell to the left and Bannerdale Crags to the right |
The
Glenderamackin Valley |
| Myself and Mike had left John
and Sarah behind on the path, as we reached Glenderamackin col we decided
to stop for a coffee break whilst the others caught up. Now that we had
done the minimum that I had wanted to do we now had to decide what to
do next. From the top of Atkinson Pike I had pointed out Bowscale Fell
and Bannerdale Crags as possible fells that we could also visit today.
From Glenderamackin Col good paths led off to both of these fells, but
what would we decide to do, bag a couple more summits or just head back
down the valley with the thought of completing a good day out without
rushing around "peak bagging"? |
|
|
Sharp
Edge and Foule Crag in shadow |
The path
at the old Level |
| We choose the latter and soon
headed back down the valley to pick up the path where we had left it
to go up to Scales Tarn. We were again treated to some views of Sharp
Edge and Foule Crag from the "other" side. We soon came across
a disused level and all of the old mine spoil. There was even enough
scree here (or so he thought!) for John
to show Sarah how to scree run, alas, after a feeble attempt and excuses
about the scree not being the right sort of scree he gave up! |
|
|
Heading
for the col above Mousethwaite Comb |
A last
look back to Sharp Edge |
Once back on the main path we
headed back to civilization in the late afternoon sun. As Sarah had been
suffering some bad toothache with her wisdom teeth, I asked her if AW's
words of wisdom had worked.
"The sight of it (Sharp
Edge) at close quarters is sufficient
to make the beholder about to tackle it forget all other worries,
even a raging toothache." After thinking about this
for a minute she was surprised to find that she had indeed forgotten
about it! AW strikes again! |
|
Souther
Fell from the col that separates Mousethwaite Comb and the Glenderamackin |
| On the path back we all became
so engrossed in the various conversations going on between us we managed
to miss the turn in the path and found ourselves on the col above Mousethwaite
Comb! Not to worry as we soon found another path that led to the path
that we required. We took the opportunity for a quick break and enjoyed
the late afternoon sunshine some more. For me this had been a welcome
change, still to be talking and walking as a group instead of being concerned
about my feet! |
|
|
Descending
from the col |
And a
bit further down |
Making our way back down the
final path we made a lot better time than we had coming up! The sun
was out, the views over the vale of Keswick looked fantastic and we
had all enjoyed one of the best walks that we had in a long time. We
could all now look back at Mungrisdale Common with a wry grin on our
faces and will hold the memory of Sharp Edge for a long time to come!
As we arrived back at the car I was very pleased to report in a loud
voice to the others that my feet were fine, how good is that then?
When we were all ready we set back towards Penrith but soon turned off
the A66 at Troutbeck to revisit the pub there for a drink and something
to eat. It was a very popular place with most of the tables having reserved
signs on them. We managed to find a table in a corner and all enjoyed
a nice welcome drink and some food ranging from spiced parsnip soup for
me (looked like custard but tasted great!) to
a great big juicy steak for John, Scampi for Sarah and Cajun Chicken
for Mike. It was all really good and will definitely revisit here to
support Troutbeck's economy again (pity I can't
remember the name of the pub though!) Fully refreshed we then
set off back home, I popped a pill or two as I was begriming to feel
something in my feet! Arriving back at Preston I was full of the joys
of spring being able to get out of the car and still walk "it's
a miracle" I said, obviously something to do with all those crosses!
This was a great end to a great day.
|
|
AW put Blencathra in his list
of the best six fells. He also put Sharp Edge in his list of the best
places to be (other than summits). I totally agree with this choice.
Blencathra offers a choice of routes up to the summit that are all great
walks. The views from the summit are great, but most of all Blencathra
gives an impression of being alone, separated from other fells, a Mountain
that deserves to be visited and enjoyed. Sharp Edge ,on a nice day, is
definitely one of the finest places to be, in fact I would go as far
as to say that I would rather be on Sharp Edge than some summits! |
Looking
back to Blencathra from the pub in Troutbeck |
|
 |
The
GPS track log uploaded into the Anquet software showing the route of
today's walk |
| I was really pleased with the
results of the GPS. Somewhere, not long after Mousethwaite Comb the GPS
managed to reset the trip information. I was a bit annoyed with this
so I put the GPS in my rucksack and left it there. I turned it off when
we got back to the car and a day later when I connected it to my PC,
wow! I had actually managed to save and upload the track log from the
walk! This was a first as my previous attempt on the Fairfield Horseshoe
ended up with a lot of lines on the map between home and Ambleside !
I eventually gave up trying to interpret that information. The only noticeable
difference was on the walk in to Scales Tarn. We returned along the same
path but the tracks do not line up, I have noticed this before and put
it down to poor satellite reception, after all the shoulder of Scales
Fell did block a large amount of the sky. the track log even shows where
we missed the path above Mousethwaite Comb and had to turn back! |
As a footnote (sorry
no pun intended!) to this walk about an hour after returning
home the problems with my feet started to make themselves known!
My feet swelled up and became incredible painful, it was that
bad that it was 5am before I could get to sleep, the only way
that I could be comfortable was in a sitting position with my
feet on the floor (try doing that whilst
trying to get to sleep!) The next day my feet were still
swollen but not as painful. It looks like another trip to the
doctors then, as popping anti-inflamatory tablets for three weeks
does not seemed to have done the trick! If anyone has any ideas
or suggestions about how to stop the problems with my feet Please,
please contact me.
That is apart from the suggestion by my good lady wife about
not going walking again! |
