Blencathra via Doddick Fell
Wainwrights: Blencathra
Hewitts: Blencathra
Date walked: 11/03/2024
Time taken: 4.35 hours
Distance: 11km
Ascent: 785m
Out of all the mountains and fells in the Lake District I think Blencathra is probably at the top of my favourites list, there's so many ways to gain the summit most of which are interesting and a couple are testing too
We've visited the summit on quite a few occasions using the popular and not so popular ways to get there, except for one, Doddick fell, the little cottage we had for the week was directly below the slopes of Doddick Fell so we just had to take advantage of this, with us being in a cottage at the farm we had direct access to it, with permission from the owners we could use one of their fields to gain the path running around the base of Blencathra which was very helpful
So, another day in the hills without the need of the car We had a leisurely breakfast then set off.
The weather forecast for the day was overcast, remaining dry, light winds, brighter later so not too bad The farmers field led to a gate and then a rough steep path up to the main path where we turned left and walked for 200m or so to the start of the path that takes you up Doddick Fell.
It's a steep start but we found it easier than we thought it would be considering our time away from the mountains. After the initial 100m of ascent and around the 400m contour it starts to level off a bit giving us chance to catch our breath and take a couple of photos, the views were getting better, the way ahead looked like it could be a very enjoyable walk and already Halls Fell looked impressive. After a short break we continued.
Up towards the summit looked superb
As did Clough Fell, Great Dodd and the Mell Fells
Looking back
The ridge became more defined as we gained height with rocky outcrops giving it interest, the whole ascent along the ridge is full of enjoyment, no scrambling or hands on rock,
but it did provide an airy feeling looking back and right into Doddick Gill and left into Scaley Beck.
Around the 700m contour the main path goes slightly right to meet the path coming from Scales fell where you turn left.
Sharp Edge looked good
from this point it's an easy ascent for the remaining 150m to the summit helped by a series of zig zags, it was here where we started to get to the patches of snow we could see from Souther Fell on Saturday.
The summit was briefly in the cloud when we arrived, this was soon blown away by the stiff breeze so we did get some views.
It kept coming in especially around the top of Gate Gill so it was quite atmospheric, we met the first people we'd seen up to this point, we had a quick chat, they set off down the way we'd come up, we set off along the wide path travelling along the summit ridge towards Blease Fell, the cloud kept coming in and out giving tantalising views down towards Threlkeld, and across to Skiddaw.
Looking back
North towards Great Calva and Knott
Halls Fell
On the way we met a couple more groups on their way to the summit but it was very quiet, very out of character for the Lakes, mind you, it was a Monday afternoon, that might of had something to do with it
Lonscale Fell looks good
From Blease Fell we headed for Threlkeld using the paths and tracks marked on the map, there are many variations, we chose the one that drops directly down the fellside at the bottom of the zig zags on the main path, this eventually takes you above Blease Farm and then onto the path coming up from the car park.
Views from the path as we descended.
There's a handy wooden bench just off the path as you get closer to the car park so we stopped for a sit down and had our lunch
After a nice long break we walked through Threlkeld and took the NCN7 back to our cottage.
We found this a nice way to do Blencathra, Ascending Doddick Fell is a great way to get to the summit, we'll do it again in the summer on a nice warm and sunny day taking our time and enjoying our number one Lakeland mountain
We've visited the summit on quite a few occasions using the popular and not so popular ways to get there, except for one, Doddick fell, the little cottage we had for the week was directly below the slopes of Doddick Fell so we just had to take advantage of this, with us being in a cottage at the farm we had direct access to it, with permission from the owners we could use one of their fields to gain the path running around the base of Blencathra which was very helpful
So, another day in the hills without the need of the car We had a leisurely breakfast then set off.
The weather forecast for the day was overcast, remaining dry, light winds, brighter later so not too bad The farmers field led to a gate and then a rough steep path up to the main path where we turned left and walked for 200m or so to the start of the path that takes you up Doddick Fell.
It's a steep start but we found it easier than we thought it would be considering our time away from the mountains. After the initial 100m of ascent and around the 400m contour it starts to level off a bit giving us chance to catch our breath and take a couple of photos, the views were getting better, the way ahead looked like it could be a very enjoyable walk and already Halls Fell looked impressive. After a short break we continued.
Up towards the summit looked superb
As did Clough Fell, Great Dodd and the Mell Fells
Looking back
The ridge became more defined as we gained height with rocky outcrops giving it interest, the whole ascent along the ridge is full of enjoyment, no scrambling or hands on rock,
but it did provide an airy feeling looking back and right into Doddick Gill and left into Scaley Beck.
Around the 700m contour the main path goes slightly right to meet the path coming from Scales fell where you turn left.
Sharp Edge looked good
from this point it's an easy ascent for the remaining 150m to the summit helped by a series of zig zags, it was here where we started to get to the patches of snow we could see from Souther Fell on Saturday.
The summit was briefly in the cloud when we arrived, this was soon blown away by the stiff breeze so we did get some views.
It kept coming in especially around the top of Gate Gill so it was quite atmospheric, we met the first people we'd seen up to this point, we had a quick chat, they set off down the way we'd come up, we set off along the wide path travelling along the summit ridge towards Blease Fell, the cloud kept coming in and out giving tantalising views down towards Threlkeld, and across to Skiddaw.
Looking back
North towards Great Calva and Knott
Halls Fell
On the way we met a couple more groups on their way to the summit but it was very quiet, very out of character for the Lakes, mind you, it was a Monday afternoon, that might of had something to do with it
Lonscale Fell looks good
From Blease Fell we headed for Threlkeld using the paths and tracks marked on the map, there are many variations, we chose the one that drops directly down the fellside at the bottom of the zig zags on the main path, this eventually takes you above Blease Farm and then onto the path coming up from the car park.
Views from the path as we descended.
There's a handy wooden bench just off the path as you get closer to the car park so we stopped for a sit down and had our lunch
After a nice long break we walked through Threlkeld and took the NCN7 back to our cottage.
We found this a nice way to do Blencathra, Ascending Doddick Fell is a great way to get to the summit, we'll do it again in the summer on a nice warm and sunny day taking our time and enjoying our number one Lakeland mountain
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-
martin.h
- Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire
- Occupation: Retired
- Interests: Mountaineering, Photography, History, Historic Buildings and sites, all of Scotland
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- Pub: Helwith Bridge Inn
- Mountain: An Teallach
- Place: Isle of Harris
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- Ideal day out: A good long walk taking in several summits,varied terrain and brilliant views.
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- Distance: 33.95 km
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- Munros: 6
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- Donalds: 7
- Sub2000s: 1
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- Trips: 24
- Distance: 322.45 km
- Ascent: 16169m
- Munros: 6
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- Distance: 230.4 km
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- Distance: 448.7 km
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- Wainwrights 26
- Trips: 31
- Distance: 468.95 km
- Ascent: 32049m
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