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Mungrisdale - Bowscale Fell - Bannerdale Crags - Mungrisdale Common - Blencathra (Hallins Fell) - Scale Fell - Souther Fell - Mungrisdale
After a week or so off, contending with the Ulverston crowds for their lovely Dickensian Festival last weekend, it was time to head back to the fells and bag a few more summits before we close out 2012.
The forecast was good for the day and we knew we were headed for at least some snow on the tops, so geared up (apart from crampons) we set off from Mungrisdale village and followed a very icy path up the left hand side of the Tongue and up the long diagonal traverse to the col below Bowscale Fell summit.
A short hop up to the right saw us on our first summit of the day with views over to Carrock Fell & High Pike that we covered weeks earlier and on towards our ultimate destination of Blencathra and Bannerdale Crags.
Damson on Bowscale Fell summit
Skiddaw Range from Bowscale Fell
John surveying route to Blencathra from Bowscale Fell summit
Bannerdale Crags was the next summit on our list and achieved by dropping back to the col and along the edge overlooking Bannerdale Beck.
John heading to Bannerdale Crags from Bowscale Fell
Looking down on Bannerdale Beck
John and Damson on Bannerdale Crags summit
John heading for foot of Blencathra
And one of me !! (sporting last day of my Movember tash)
Blencathra panorama from Bannerdale Crags
We dropped down to the 4 way hause below Blue Screes and headed out west on a thin track in search of the elusive Mungrisdale Common summit cairn. The track drifted north around the fallout of Blackhazel Beck where we left the path and headed out over frozen boggy ground across the common top. It was a good 10 minutes later when we saw any sign of a further track across the top of the common which headed towards Skiddaw. A small cairn denoted the top with views over Derwent.
Damson on Mungrisdale Common summit below Skiddaw Range
Derwent Water and surrounding fells from Mungrisdale Common
John heading back to ascent of Blencathra (path can be seen on left of photo)
The path back along the common was far easier and clearer as we headed towards Atkinson Pike on our way to todays top summit. The ground was now white and had formed an icy crust making progress difficult.
Quite a few on Sharp Edge today (from Blue Screes)
The ascent to Atkinson Pike from the top of Blue Screes was extremely slippery and partly vertigo inducing (never been particularly good at certain heights - I've only managed Sharp Edge once as a kid and vowed never to go there again) and made us both think of buying crampons for future expeditions. On reaching the top however, any feeling of dread disappeared as the short wander to the summit (Hallins Fell) opened up and the most spectacular views from the summit were captured.
Contemplating how we get up Atkinson Pike
Looking back down Atkinson Pike climb
Blencathra summit from Atkinson Pike
And finally on the top !!
Damson gets to the top first (as usual)
Knowe Crags and Derwent Water from Blencathra summit
Knowe Crags from Blencathra summit
John & I on Blencathra summit
Then joined by Damson in her "Joseph" coat
Blencathra summit mini-panorama
View down Scale Fell and our descent route towards Souther Fell (last ridge)
Skiddaw Range from Blencathra
The way down followed the zig zags towards Scale Fell to the right of Scale Tarn with views across to Sharp Edge. There were plenty of people both succeeding and turning back round from the edge as we descended and if anyone wants to volunteer to take John up the ridge please shout now as I REALLY don't want to do it again !!
Looking back to Blencathra from our descent down Scale Fell
And a zoom view
Faceful of snow on way down
Sharp Edge from Scale Fell side
Zoom on Sharp Edge
You can just make out a few people on the Edge
View down to A66, Clough Head and St Johns in the Vale
From Scale Fell we crossed the little bridge of land across onto Souther Fell and across its full length to come down the Mungrisdale nose. A small detour for the last few 100m to pick up the road from a cordoned off path saw us back in the village and walking past the pub back to the car.
Final destination - Souther Fell
Cairn on Souther Fell looking back to Blencathra
Bowscale Fell (far right), The Tongue (right), Bannerdale Crags (near centre) and Blencathra (far left) from Souther Fell
Damson on Souther Fell
Taking a breather on Souther Fell
Damson on second Souther Fell summit
A GREAT walk !! Hard going in places but well worth the effort. To do it in winter adds a little something too !!