Walking Wanders 5 - Blencathra, Bowscale and Bannerdale

B is for Bank Holiday

Who: Four non-Geordie Tyneside dwellers, Myself, Clare, Matt and Sheps.

Why: It's a bank holiday and a day trip to the Lakes is feasible, why not? Never mind the heavy rain initially forecast.

The Route: As tradition, here is my beautifully drawn map;

We did the red route which went, up Halls Fell Ridge, Around Foule Crag, down and up again to Bowscale, follow the edge of the cliff round to Bannerdale, then down, over River Glenmaraken (sp?) and up again over Mousthwaite Comb. Pub at Scales, cross A66, rejoin River Glemaraken and follow back to Threlkeld

The Walk: Parking at Threlkeld, we headed a short way up Gates Gill before turning right to follow a wall along to the next valley. As we were walking along the path like the considerate walkers we are, we were confronted by a herd of sheep charging at us. So we stepped off the path as we let sheep, sheepdogs, farmers and quadbike go past. Onwards and upwards and I was soon left trailing..

Sorry Guys, I'm coming!

 You see that ridge in the background, that was where we were heading and walking soon transitioned to scrambling to climbing (although the latter probably more due to my poor route choice than necessity) Putting my bouldering skills to good use, although it is a bit trickier with hiking boots. Being quite high up, it was getting a bit windy so we found a sheltered spot to stop for lunch and to suncream up :o ! My rock seat was incredibly comfy. If it weren't for one slightly back-poky rock I could have had a nap there and then

Nice spot for lunch

Lunch eaten, onwards and upwards we climbed until conveniently popping out right at the summit. It was fairly busy at the top and also really quite windy, so full layering up was required. I was getting very grateful for the gloves I'd brought along on a whim. At the top we had the view of the Lakes on one side and of Mungrisdale Common on the other. The latter was described by Wainwright (paraphrased) as having as much elegance as a blamanche that has been sat on. That is a fairly apt description, especially in contrast to the Lakes, however it did have the sun on it (which had disappeared from our location some time previous) so I was jealous.

As we ploughed on along the ridge against the full force of the wind (or not quite full force yet, as we discovered later) the collective decision was made to forego the original plan of going down to Scales tarn and back up along Sharp edge, a ridge that has claimed lives of far more experinced walkers than I. That collective however did not include Matt, so the three of us continued along and found a sheltered spot on the face of Foule Crag for a rest whilst he did a detour. The good visibility meant we could follow his progress!

Onwards, and time to decide our next action plan! Having visibility to all potential routes on nice undulating ground, we chose to head to what the OS map named 'pile of stones' aka Bowscale Fell and return to the river via Bannerdale, thus summiting 3 B's in a day. Through the wind and bog we plodded with leg length creating a clear boy-girl divide. Clare and I eventually arrived at the windbreak aka 'pile of stones'. Refuelled and taking Wainwright's advice we headed to the left of the bog, along the sheep track. Dry but also incredibly windy. Layering up now also included hood up and pulled tight. We plowed on through the wind, periodically testing how far it would blow us sideways if we jumped. I was frequently blown over, but being at the back no-one saw! The wind was blowing up-cliff so no fear of falling, if anyone did, they'd get blown back up again.

Turning the corner the wind eased, and we soon reached the summit of Bannerdale. Then it was steep steep down to the river. The steepness was such that bum-sliding was possible, no toboggan required.

The footbridge across the river providing a nice resting point, but unfortunately the water was too tempting for Sheps' chocolate which decided to go for a little swim. Chocolate rescued, and Matt off for a jog up Souther Fell, we were on our way. Up and over one little hill and then we were at Scales. We stopped off at the pub to use their facilities, have a drink and play dominos before onwards to Threlkeld. At Scales we faced our most dangerous challenge yet, crossing the A66! Safely over, we headed over some fields to join the river that had nearly stolen the chocolate. A very pleasant walk along the river gave us a good view of the hill we had just climbed

Blencathra in all her glory

Before long we were back at Threlkeld and ended our walk at the Horse and Farrier pub with its massive meaty portions that we easily demolished, and very nice it was too.

Too soon it was sadly time to return to the real world, back to the East Coast. As we left the pub, Blencathra's summit was now well and truely immersed in cloud. 

So long Lakes, till next time!