I managed to squeeze this little beauty in on a trip to see the Step-son in Lancaster. We had originally planned to go across into the dales but I was showing my wife the write up on Malham that Border Reiver submitted and there was lots of grumbling under the breath about sucky mud and the fact it had rained all day Saturday...etc.
So to keep the peace a trip to Keswick was organised for the Sunday on the basis that if the weather was good we might get a hill in and if it as bad...there was shops and coffee shops!! I also had to consider my step son's girlfriends mum (if you can follow that!) who was visiting from China and it was her first trip up a hill in the lakes so I had to pick something that was fairly straightforward so Cat Bells it was.
We headed off on a lovely sunny Sunday morning (eventually!) and arrived at Hawse End and eventually found somewhere to park. The walk is really straightforward and about as easy as it gets to follow the route - so we simply followed the main path up onto the saddle and summit Skelgill Bank and then on to the Summit of Cat Bells.
As this was organised at short-notice I didn't have my camera but below is a few shots of the day. I have to say we were extremely lucky with the weather and the summit offered superb views all around and especially across to Blenncathra, Skiddaw, Causey Pike, Robinson and so on (I think we might also have just made out Phoooey and Damson's new coat on the other side of Keswick it was that clear!). It also made me realise just how much I miss the lakes and provided some real "soul food" for me! Just what the doc ordered.
Also....just for Chris W's benefit and his recent report of the female of the species and their inclination towards rummaging in rucksacks for sweeties and choccy...have a close look at the summit picture and what BB, her Mum and Debbie are holding in their hands...like I have said before...a snickers bar works wonders for mountain motivation!
- Beano didn't want to go!
- On way to Summit - Keswick & Blencathra in Background
- Summit of Cat Bells....spot the Snickers!
- On the way back down - Skiddaw and Blencathra in distance
- Interesting shot of coming down the short scramble from summit
- Bing Bing back on Skellgill Bank with panorama of summits behind!
I first walked up Catbells in 1960 and miss being able to get up there 
It was lovely to see your photos, thank you.
I'm heading out to find more chocolate which I'm going to dangle from my rucksack to entice Sarah along on a few more hikes 
