August Bank Holiday Monday, the final day of my long, eventful summer break, and TBH was keen to get out and climb a hill. We settled on Blencathra. We were very lucky and managed to find street parking in Threlkeld.
The sun shone intermittently and it was even quite warm for a while. We were heading around the base of the hill, aiming for Sharp Edge, but when we reached Scaley Beck there was a steep little rock step to negotiate, down into the beck and I didn’t like the look of it, so we turned back for Doddick Fell instead.
We’d not climbed far up Doddick Fell when some unforecast drizzle materialised. Just after we’d stopped for lunch!
Doddick Fell turned out to be a marvellous route up Blencathra. I suspect all of the many ridges are worth a look.
The views from Blencathra were superb. What’s-more, it wasn’t busy at all.
We’d had another spell of sunny weather, but, as we started to descend, a band of ominous black clouds swept in from the East.
It was very dramatic and I took no end of photos of Clough Head and the Dodds as the black cloud breezed over them.
We took the Blease Fell path down – one I knew to be easy-angled, pleasant walking.
Last time I was up Blencathra, I was in the cloud the entire time, so this was a very welcome change.
Beating The Bounds 
That was the same route I took when I went up Blencathra. I enjoyed going up by the Doddick fell ridge. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to tackle Hall’s fell ridge, especially solo. Sharp Edge is definitely out of the question!
I haven’t done either ridge for a very long time. I don’t remember Hall’s Fell being particularly dramatic, but that might be the fog of time.
Blencathra, one of only a couple of times I’ve turned back from going to a summit. Gale force wings snatched my OS 1:25 from my hands fortunately avoiding me turning into a paraglider. I reckon the map probably ended up in Penrith (or Carlisle.) Other ascents before and after were less intimidating – perhaps it is my favourite Lake district summit.
Oh – you’ve done it again Conrad. Favourite Lake district summit? Blencathra would certainly be right up there. Pike O’Blisco has a lot going for it, in terms of a nice rocky summit, great views, and I’ve camped there which always adds to my appreciation. Grisedale Pike is a cracker. Wow, I shall be poring over maps and raking over old memories trying to sort this one out! Harter Fell above Eskdale? Lingmell? I shall never be able to make my mind up!
I also like Caw, a proper little mountain. Although I’ve only been up it twice as far as I can remember.
Oh yes- a classic.
Blencathra on a Bank Holiday and quiet – there’s a thing. A superb and fascinating mountain of contrasts with that distinctive and recognisable profile. Been too long since climbed it. I think on the really cold May weekend when we camped near Threkeld. Some great photos there, fine BH day out
We probably started late, then faffed about a good deal – probably most people were heading home by the time we reached the top – having said that, we didn’t see many people on Doddick Fell either.
It must be decades since I’ve been up Blencathra, I was surprised at how much the paths have developed (eroded) in that time.
I always enjoy the view of it from the motorway going north.
Time for another ascent. Hall’s Fell Ridge is no problem, perhaps the beat way up, but Sharp Edge keeps you in suspense and some danger.
Yes, I feel like I need to go back again before too long to give both of those ridges another try.
Still got this one to do in my final 20 and not sure which way to go up now, I want to do all of them!
What a treat you have in store! If you’ve never done it, then up by Sharp Edge and down by Hall’s Fell surely? (On a dry windless day!)
Or – do all of them – what a weekend that could be! Hmmm…sounds like a plan!
Oh – and – final 20: I think I’ve done 96 since TBH bought me the map, Christmas before last – I’m going to have to really step it up if I’m going to get there before you, despite my massive geographical advantage.
I’ve got Mungrisdale to do as well, but I can see me doing Blencathra twice up different routes for sure
Oh, the choices you folk have! I really do appreciate following along via the blog.
Is there a link to your Mont Blanc adventure?
That was in 2001 – a few years before I started the blog. I do have a few photos – maybe one day I’ll get around to a retrospective write-up.