Happy Friday!
If the world were different, today I'd have been heading up to the Lake District, first to pop into a textile exhibit in Penrith and then I was going to be spending the weekend on a map reading and navigating course in preparation for leading some future walks in my ramblers' group. Alas, that has all had to be postponed, but understandably so.
The second day of the course was going to be spent practising our skills in the moorlands behind Blencathra, so in lieu of that, let me offer up a walk the Liverpudlian and I did last September when we climbed to the top of this iconic mountain, also known as Saddleback.
Blencathra looms over the road leading to Keswick and while back in 2014 I hiked behind it, as blogged here, I'd never actually climbed the mountain. We were spending a long weekend in Grasmere and each of us got to choose a walk we wanted to do - this was my pick.
I'd totally recommend Blencathra if you want to climb one of the higher fells but don't want anything too technical. Just don't go via Sharp Edge which IS technical (I still haven't attempted it and would only do so in perfect weather conditions). If you start on the western side, which is what we did, though it's a bit steep at first, once you get to the top, it's a lovely long ridge walk with wide, grassy paths and you don't need to go near the edge if you don't want to.
This is early on in the ascent, looking back towards the direction of Keswick.
And now we're nearly at the top. You can just see how the path will follow up to that next peak and then turn left to follow the next ridge, but all the hard climbing is done.
It was a murky day which didn't make for the best photos. You can just see Derwent Water peeking out in this one.
Further along the path, looking back at where we've been. . .
. . . and looking forward to the descent which is also quite gradual and easier on the knees than many of the fells I've been on.
On the way down, you'll pass other routes up. Across from the tarn, you can see Sharp Edge.
I love the sky in this one.
Once you are down, you can return to your starting point following a path that runs along the front. And you can look up and see the ridge that you've just walked. It was about an eight mile circular.
A good walk always demands a good meal - I would totally recommend The Jumble Room in Grasmere for the ambience and of course the food! You definitely need to book ahead though.
I really miss the hiking during this lockdown but am taking comfort in the fact that the weather will at least be nice this weekend and the hills aren't going anywhere. They'll still be there when all this is over.
My next post will be the Liverpud's choice of walk from this September weekend - and it's a brilliant one!
1 comment:
Lovely to have this vicarious taste of a hike - thank you!
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