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The decent weather continues, so headed off for the Lakes. Not really knowing where to go, the freak weather on the A66 (rain freezing on the road causing umpteen accidents
) the decision was made not to leave the A66 and park at Scales.
- Great Mell Fell looking summery from Scales.
Set off along the old road, to ascend Souther Fell first.
- Great Dodd & Clough Head from the ascent.
The ground was quite firm underfoot, so the going was not too bad
As I gained height, Sharp Edge came into view.
- Sharp Edge.
- Blencathra summit & Sharp Edge.
Souther Fell is an easy traverse over short grass, and the summit was quickly reached.
- Souther Fell summit showing Bannerdale Crags beyond.
I had to make a bit of a detour to get off Souther Fell, as the ground was so hard, it was quite treacherous. I headed past the bits of crag at the north end and headed down to the River Glenderamackin.
- Approaching River Glenderamackin.
I decided to attempt the heathery ridge up to Bannerdale summit.
- Route up Bannerdale Crags.
There are some rocky outcrops up there which are just a bit too rocky to negotiate, so I skirted them into the heather, but was quite a nice ascent.
- And closer.
- Souther Fell from my ascent route of Bannerdale Crags.
From Bannerdale, it's an easy traverse round to Bowscale Fell, and as the weather was still fine, I decided to pay it a quick visit.
- The Skiddaw range from Bowscale summit.
There was plenty of people headed up Blencathra by now, so I made my way to join them
- Foule Crag on Blencathra.
The snow was quite hard set, so walking was pretty easy.
- Snowy approach to Foule Crag.
Conditions must have been good on Sharp Edge too as plenty were crossing it.
- Climbers on Sharp Edge.
My route was a bit easier
- My ascent route.
Sharp Edge didn't look so imposing from its exit.
- Sharp Edge.
Scales Tarn, however, looked weird!!
- Scales Tarn.
Saw someone I wasn't expecting on Blencathra summit
- How did you get here????
The cloud started building at this point, so I decided to make my way down.
- Descent route passed Scales Tarn.
The route down wasn't as bad as it looked, and I was soon back at the car, hoping for an easier drive home than the one coming!!!!