A Stunning few Autumn days in the lakes and finally a day off... So what to do???

Well I haven't climbed my favourite lakes fell for a while so Blencathra it is....


Normally I would climb Blencathra via Sharp Edge but Canna, my mountain (and water) Spaniel isn't so fussed .

For those who don't know, Sharp edge is the best (in my opinion) grade 1 scramble in the lakes. However the short but extremely exposed and committing ridge (no way to go round the hard bit) is not an easy grade 1, and should be undertaken with caution especially in the wet and only by experienced scramblers. Canna doesn't mind scrambles as a rule , though is always in a harness, but on Sharp Edge she was practically dragged up, as the exposure got to her. Amazing really considering the steep edges she happily runs down to visit a stream...

So It was decided that we might as well take in the ambiguous Mungrisedale Common whilst we were out so set off from the small parking area at the base of Mousthwaite Comb.


As is shown in the route, we went up Mousthwaite Comb which is a pleasant bowl and an easy climb.



Pup and I then headed up towards Sharp Edge which as always looks stunning.

From here we stayed low and skirted round the bottom and heading to the back of blencathra and a small plateau before contouring on the vague and very wet path to the extremely vague and arguable pointless Mungrisdale Common. From here a good path leads up to the back end of Blencathra.

One of the great things about going up this way is that its extremely quiet, not a sole was seen though the Summit was busy...

A quick stop at the top marked by an OS ring and quick run down the well marked (and surprisingly grassy in places) path brought us back to the top of Mousthwaite and quickly back to the car and on to keswick for lunch!!!

A grand day out indeed. (Well a morning really!!!)