Lake District – 29th October 2014
Mugrisdale – Souther Fell – Scales Fell – Blencathra – Skiddaw House – Sale How – Skiddaw – Carl Side – Applethwaite – Keswick – 16 Miles
Fantasic walk in beautiful weather. Parked outside village hall in Mungrisdale and paid £2 for parking in the honesty slot at the end of the hall. Crossed over foot bridge and headed up the lane. Just past a gate headed up Souther Fell. At the top of Souther Fell had a great view of Blencathra and Sharp Edge. Down along the wide ridge of Scales Fell and started up the long climb to the summit of Blencathra. Great views over the fells all the way up. A bit busy at the summit but stopped and had a good breather. Headed north down across the scree slope to Mungrisdale Common which was quite boggy. Now had great views of the back of Skiddaw. Crossed the common descending all the way then back up the Skiddaw House. It has a big sign saying YHA but it looked a bit deserted to me. Went around the back of Skiddaw House and started up Sale How. Once at the top dropped down again and then began the fairly easy ascent of Skiddaw from this route. Followed the Skiddaw ridge to the summit cairn and up here at about 3:30pm it was sunny but extremely cold. Now had on ski gloves, woolie hat and my paramo coat. Again fantastic views on this sunny clear day. Retraced my steps back along the ridge and descended the steep scree slope down the Allerdale ramble. Passed the Carlside tarn and continued the steep stoney descent down to Millbeck. At the bottom it was now completely dark but I was prepared (carrying 3 torches). Using my satnav and torches I navigated across the fields and roads back to the bus station in Keswick, next to the Booths supermarket. Caught the bus at 18:15 back to Mungrisdale, This was one of the best walks I have done, the scenery and weather today were truly magnificent.
