Scramble Blencathra

Keeping an eye on the weather for this one – but the round is fairly easy so we can keep moving if it is on the cold side.

Meet at the large parking area at the end of the Blencathra Centre road at 9.30 – watching out for potholes.

The meet will be confirmed later in the week when updated forecast is available.

This meet is ON. The forecast isn’t fantastic – Stu stole all the sunshine for his Shepherd’s Crag meet – but it is OK. Maybe some light rain early on, but not forecast too windy. Also the route can be varied according to conditions on the day.

So meet at the big parking area at the end of the Blencathra Centre road at 9.30. On my last visit there was a whopping great pothole at the entrance to the parking area so drive slowly!

Anyone wanting a lift from Cockermouth, meet me at the Lakeland Business Park (AKA the wigwams), just off the A66 at 8.45 – or let me know if you want to organise a pick-up near Keswick – e-mail me at judithbrown3@aol.com. Alternatively, use the WhatsApp group to organise lift-shares.

The threatened rain did not arrive, the rock was warm and dry, and there was a even an occasional hint of a view amidst the swirling mist. A sociable team had a very pleasant day ascending Hall’s Fell Ridge to the summit, then down towards Foul Crag, where we picked up a high level contouring path landing us at the start of the scrambling on Sharp Edge. We had an uneventful ascent with the slight exception of encountering a child scrambling in her socks. At the top we paused for light refreshment and watched uncomfortably as a team of four adults attempted an unsteady descent of the Edge. Unable to stand it any longer, Mark went to have a chat with them, as a result of which they changed their plans and returned to the summit. Maybe it’s the bank holiday weekend effect, but there do seem to be more folk every year who attempt routes for which they are ill-equipped and poorly prepared. Whilst I generally take the attitude that adults should be left to sort themselves out, unless they look in immanent danger of injury or death, sometimes a gentle bit of advice can prevent an epic or worse.

Despite the bank holiday parking scrum at Scales, we managed a tasty pint in the White Horse to round off the meet. Thanks to whole team for a highly enjoyable day – Cath and Steve P; David W and wife, Lorraine; Anne B; Tina; Mark W; Jon T; Michael K; Geraint; Judith