Blencathra via Hall's Fell Ridge
Blencathra via Hall’s Fell Ridge
It’s been a while since I was last on Blencathra, so long in fact that I’d forgotten what a fine mountain it is. Earlier in the year I’d been out on a walk on Helvellyn with Janet from Canada and Striding Edge had been discussed as a potential future objective. As in interim objective I’d suggested Hall’s Fell Ridge on Blancathra, as a warm up and place to get used to putting hands on rock.
Janet was back in touch over the summer to make a plan for a day on Blencathra via Hall's Fell Ridge and yesterday was the day.
The forecast was okay for the morning, then things would likely deteriorate quite rapidly. So we planned to start early and beat the incoming wet weather. Our plan worked.
Setting out from Threlkeld it’s only a short way to reach the base of Hall’s Fell and the ascent is relentlessly steep from there to the summit. Initially the path is good and it zig-zags through carpets of heather, the view improving all the while. We’d both noticed the wind had picked up somewhat too, so as best we could we forged a path on the lee side of the ridge. By now we were in thick mist, but occasionally it would clear enough for a passing view, this was all we needed, it was wonderful.
Higher up the path gives way to rocky ridge and gave us the chance to clamber about over the lovely mountain rock. Janet took to this well, enjoying the added challenge but happy the mist obscured the big drop below.
The summit of Hall’s Fell and Blencathra were met all too soon. We bumped into a few other hardy walkers before beating a track down over Blease Fell. Given the forecasted wind direction I had expected this path to have been very windy, but thankfully it offered just enough shelter to give us a very enjoyable descent. Soon we emerged from the mist to be greeted by wide open views along St. John’s in the Vale, the Helvellyn range and Derwentwater.
The sun joined us for a time and we used this time to refuel and soak up the magnificent views, before continuing our descent back to Threlkeld.
I had promoted Blencathra via Hall’s Fell Ridge to Janet as a good beginners scramble that she would enjoy. The big smiles all day confirmed she was in agreement. A big part of why we do what we do, is to put smiles on peoples faces.
Thanks Janet. Striding Edge next…..
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Thanks for reading
Mark
Blencathra via Hall’s Fell Ridge