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Weather forecast wasn't good, and no-one else wanted to walk with me, so I decided to get Mungrisedale Common "out of the way". It's one I've been putting off as Wainwright's description of it is so off-putting - indeed, I think it put me off the whole of the Northern Fells, which is a shame as all the other ones I have climbed this week have been lovely.
I decided to park near Scales and ascend via Mousethwaite Col, taking in Bannerdale Crags on the way.
Parking at ScalesA sign on the gate leading to Mousethwaite Col warned that the footbridge I had planned to use on my route to Bannerdale Crags had been washed away in the winter floods - but Wainwright seemed to suggest that there was another path across the stream a little way downstream, so I decided to hope for the best.
What's left of the footbridgeAs it turned out I couldn't locate the Wainwright alternative, but the river was crossable at the site of the missing footbridge thanks to a few well-placed planks
One reason for selecting the route I had up Bannerdale Crags was that Wainwright promised unique views of Blencathra and Sharp Edge.
I couldn't find the path promised, so ended up making my own way up to the ridge, pausing every so often to photograph Sharp Edge.
BlencathraBlencathraBannerdale Crags has two summits - the slightly lower one overlooking the crags is the nicer one
Bannerdale Crags second summitBannerdale Crags summitThe true summit has the advantage of a great view of Blencathra though.
Blencathra from Bannerdale CragsI decided to delay the inevitable journey to Mungrisedale Common by heading first to Bowscale Fell - the path follows the top of the crags to avoid the bogs.
Bannerdale CragsView from Bowscale FellFrom Bowscale Fell it was down to Glenderamackin Col, then over to the common. Depsite Wainwright's descriptions, there was a clear path all the way - evan a cairn marking where to turn off.
Cairn marking path to Mungrisedale CommonIt's a fairly dull tramp over wet ground to the summit.
Mungrisedale CommonBut while it's never going to be my favourite fell, it's has quite a few features of note (some no doubt gained since Wainwright described it)
It has a tarn. And a summit cairn. Indeed, they are neatly combined into a single feature:
A tarn with a cairnIt has paths. Leading in every direction of the compass, all converging at the summit cairn.
Paths in all directionsPaths in all directionsIt has a view of the sea
Sea viewIt has a view of a lake
Lake viewAnd lastly but, I think, uniquely, it's the only fell I can remember climbing where (as near as makes no difference) it was downhill all the way to the summit.
After taking my leave of the common, I headed back to Glenderamackin Col then down the path past Scales Tarn.
Walkers on Sharp EdgeWhen I got to Scales Beck I decided to take a detour up to the tarn for a few photos
Scales BeckScales Tarn panoramaScales Tarn and Sharp EdgeSharp Edge panoramaSharp EdgeI waited a while for decent light, though it never really arrived, then headed back down to Mousethwaite Col. I got there in good time, and decided to carry on to Souther Fell summit before returning to the car.
Great views in all directions from Souther Fell
High Street from Souther FellBlencathra from Souther FellBannerdale Crags, from Souther FellDescending Souther FellThen back to Mousethwaite Fell for the last time, and down to the car.
View from Mousethwaite ColA most enjoyable walk, despite my reservations about Mungrisedale Common. Views of Blencathra more than made up for it.