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With a day off work on Monday 8 June, I booked a room at Netherdene B and B in (the northern) Troutbeck for the Sunday night. I wanted some ridge scrambling practice as I was going to Glen Coe later in the month to do, among other things, the Aonach Eagach. So Sunday was spent doing a Helvellyn round with the other two famous Lakeland Edges. So to Monday, and I drove to Mungrisdale. This round of four Wainwrights would often be taken clockwise, generally the better way to do it. I had reasons for going in the other direction:
1. Tackling Sharp Edge downhill would be good practice for Aonach Eagach.
2. Bowscale Fell was on my 'direct ascents to do' list.
3. I'd done the circuit twice before clockwise, the second time adding Mungrisdale Common. Each time I'd used a different descent from Bowscale Fell. An anti-clockwise circuit gave the opportunity for a 3rd variation, The Tongue, which was better done uphill.
So I set off from Mungrisdale, the weather ideal.
- Leaving Mungrisdale en route to The Tongue
- Heading for The Tongue
It was quite a steep ascent onto The Tongue, and a climb I enjoyed.
- Climbing The Tongue
- Looking back to the River Glenderamackin
Then followed a trudge across sometimes marshy grass to Bowscale Fell.
- Western and NW Fells and Skiddaw from Bowscale Fell
Next it was on to Bannerdale Crags.
- Moving towards Bannerdale Crags
I'd also climbed this hill the previous year by direct ascent via the east ridge; a good way up.
- Looking east form Bannerdale Crags
- Blencathra from Bannerdale Crags
Then it was time to go for Blencathra.
- Ascending Blencathra
I reached the summit (Hallsfell Top) to be greeted by superb views in the fine weather.
- Derwent Water and Gategill Fell from Blencathra
- The view south across Lakeland from Blencathra
Next it was time to move off along the eastern edge of the summit plateau...
- Doddick Fell and Scales Fell from Blencathra
...heading north above Tarn Crags.
- Scales Tarn from above Tarn Crags
Sharp Edge came into view and looked just a bit intimidating when approached from above. I began the steep descent east towards the edge. I've climbed this way twice and this section then presented no difficulties. Coming down it was a bit more awkward and just a little hairy.
- Climbing down towards Sharp Edge
The views of Scales Tarn all the way down via the ridge were beautiful.
- Scales Tarn from above Sharp Edge
Moving down a bit further, I encountered a Cumbrian scrambler coming up. He said he'd climbed up Sharp Edge hundreds of times, but could count on the fingers of one hand the times he'd descended this way.
- Moving further down towards Sharp Edge
The bad step was reached. This bit also seemed to cause more adrenalin taken in this direction than on the two previous occasions when I had ascended this way.
- Sharp Edge and the bad step
Once past the bad step, moving down the arete became enjoyable, with spectacular scenery all around. Plenty of care was still required, though! One or two more people were coming up the ridge.
- Scales Tarn from Sharp Edge
Before long the descent of the edge was over.
- Looking back at Sharp Edge
- Passing Scales Tarn
I took the path leading to Mousthwaite Comb. On the way I met two women on their way to Sharp Edge. One of them had done it before, and was looking forward to going up again. But she said she wouldn't fancy it downhill!
Mousthwaite Comb was reached before long, and I moved onto Souther Fell.
- Blencathra and Bannerdale Crags from Souther Fell
- Bowfell and Scafell ranges and Great Gable from Souther Fell
Then I began the descent NE.
- Moving down Souther Fell's NE ridge
Although not too far south of the Scottish border, I'm always struck by how typically English the scene is when looking down at the Mungrisdale area from these hills.
- Descending towards Mungrisdale
Back at the village, it was back into the car and home. 15 days later in Glen Coe, I met up with Cat, a WH member from Fife, and we conquered the Aoncah Eagach.