Blencathra, Mungrisedale Common & Bannerdale Crags

All quiet at the Blencathra Centre Public Car Park when I arrive quite early at 9am. It's a while since I've walked up Blencathra by this easy and actually very enjoyable route - have tended to ascend via the eastern routes in the recent past, but decided to mix it up a bit and go via this very direct path today.

Once on the path from the car park, you can't really go wrong.

Views begin to appear within no time - Here's looking back in the direction towards Keswick

And then ahead towards the Dodds.

There are many benefits in frequent stops on the climb as the views on a clear day are impressive and well worth enjoying. To many to mention - but Walla Crag can be seen on the left and Latrigg to the right, with Cat Bells behind Derwent Water in the centre - Derwent Fells dominate the background with the Coledale Fells on the right of them.

As I gradually climb up Blease Fell- Lonsdale Fell can be seen alongside with 'Glenderaterra' Valley in between.

After the zig zags near the top of Blease Fell -The clag descends and I guess I'll soon be putting the camera away.

Small patches of snow are present along the long and relatively flat connecting path between the Blencathra fell tops.

Halls Fell Top summit - Blencathra

Just about to go !

Continuing along towards the Saddleback from Blease, Gategill, Halls, Doddick and Scales Fell - the five southern buttresses all connect to the wide ridge of the Blencathra mountain. A visit to the aptly named Foule Crag at the Eastern end where the distinctive Saddle is formed by a slight depression in the terrain.

At the top of Sharp Edge looking down towards Scales Tarn. Always enjoy a glance down the Sharp Edge route, knowing full well that I will never attempt to climb via that route. Far too dangerous for the likes of me I'm afraid, would love to, but it's just too exposed. Would probably hate every minute anyway. Now, lets head for Mungrisedale Common - more suited for my level of capabilities.

The much maligned Mungrisedale Common and the soggy splodge out to it.

A look back up to Foule Crag where I descended down en-route to Mungrisedale Common

The profile of Sharp Edge up to Foule Crag as I head over to Bannerdale Crags. The path I was to take back down the Glenderamakin Valley later on can be seen traversing the flank of the fellside in the foreground.

Bannerdale Crags summit - looking down Bannerdale towards the tiny hamlet of Mungrisedale.

The start of the path downwards with the River Glenderamackin nearby.

Spotting the intrepid climbers on Sharp Edge as they take each well thought out footstep.

Scales Beck - from (yes it's obvious) Scales Tarn up above. The stone staircase is the main route up to the tarn - but I'm headed down, so not my path today.

Looking back up the route taken from the col.

Couple of choices to continue towards Scales as the col between Souther and Scale Fells is reached - I decided to take the slightly higher and more interesting path as I turned westwards and traversed the Southern front of Blencathra.

An enjoyable traverse on a good flatish path - not one that tires your ankles due to the angle

Doddick Fell

I'm sure there is a good reason for this - sheep and dogs can go under so why a gate on the top ? I must be missing something here

Almost back at the car now after a good 6 hour walk.

Blimey - that was close !! So many trees blown over here recently - the power of Storm Arwen was so destructive, I think it was the most powerful storm I've ever witnessed.