Skiddaw / Blencathra day.

A week of fine dry weather and an area of high pressure encouraged us to have an early start and by 8.55 we were parked up in Keswick ready to climb Skiddaw by it's 'normal' route. Many people had clearly had the same idea and we passed several groups as we climbed up through early morning mist. The visibility was poor and by the time we reached the slopes below Little Man a cool north wind had picked up which had us searching out hats and gloves. The summit was reached in just over 1hr 30mins and we had a quick drink and banana in the shelter before heading off for Skiddaw House on route to Blencathra. It was good to leave the busy main ridge and drop down to the hostel via Sale How and it was fantastic to hear the first Skylarks of the year.

A number of mountain bikers passed as we headed for the next landmark on the route - the Cloven Stone - and we were again glad to leave the main path. A steady climb took us to the 'stone' and on to Mungrisdale Common - one of the less inspiring Wainwrights. We had lunch siting on the small summit cairn and watched Blencathra disappear as the cloud base dropped. It didn't lift as we climbed up to the final top and the views were disappointing as we walked along the summit ridge back towards Keswick.

Typically on the descent to the Blencathra Centre the cloud began to break and the final walk back along the Threlkeld/Keswick Cycle track was an enjoyable end to the day. We'd covered 14.75miles in 6hrs 40m.

On the summit of Skiddaw.

Descending to Skiddaw House hostel.

On route from Skiddaw House to the Cloven Stone.



Two views of the Cloven Stone.

Lunch stop - Mungrisdale Common.

In the cloud on Blencathra.

Disappointing views from Blencathra's summit ridge.