Blencathra (Halls Fell) & Skiddaw via Lonscale's NE Buttress

[Broggy1]

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Managed to get away Friday afternoon and after a busy drive up the M6 with cars queuing to get off the South Lakes junction I was surprised to arrive at the foot of Blencathra with room to park all over.

I'd been itching to do something a bit tastier for a bit so had quickly drafted this route up which I hoped I could fit in through the afternoon.

Classic, easy scrambling up Halls Fell and then a pathless descent before a mega steep re-climb to Lonscale Fell up the North East Buttress and then easier to Skiddaw and back via the lovely and lonely Skiddaw Forest.

Halls Fell in view

After an initial climb on a good path you come to the good bit - narrow edge

I stuck to the crest for the (easy) scrambling options but the bypass path is always there for anyone who want it...and on wet, slippy days it's probably advised

For me Hall's Fell provides more sustained, hands on scrambling than Sharp Edge - although it's all very easy and nothing like as exposed

Looking back at the narrow bit and the curve in the ridge

Summit ahead - this route bullseye's it

Skiddaw from Blencathra

Gategill Fell ahead with more of Lakeland in the background

It's a pathless descent now into Roughten Gill

Lonscale Fell starts to dominate now

I was going to head up via the Burnt Horse Ridge (a way which I've come down before) but the day was good, the rock was dry so decided it was about time I tried the North East Buttress/Ridge which can be seen ahead here

On the Buttress - which you get on to via a steep pathless climb from the Cumbrian Way

Final tower ahead - there's not a lot of rock here (and what is there isn't that stable) but you definitely need your hands and it's very, very steep

Mossy and steep!

Looking down the ridge

Skiddaw from the top of Lonscale Fell - easy walking now

The classic view from Skiddaw Little Man

Blencathra from a strangely empty Skiddaw

The other Northern fells from Bakestall

On the Skiddaw House Track which gives me a long but easy way back to the car - you can always guarantee peace and quiet here

Great Calva is very shapely from this side

There is Lonscale Fell again

And finally Blencathra again

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Good idea for a route! Great photos

Tim