Blencathra


I had climbed Blencathra for the first time in 2007. I thought at the time that my wife, Jenny, could probably manage the climb herself. It took some persuading but she was prepared to try on the 12th October 2009.

The path started along the western side of Blease Gill before dropping down to a narrow footbridge across the gill and continuing alongside the eastern side of the gill to reach a gate onto some open fields.

We walked around the base of the mountain in an easterly direction,climbing ladder stiles and crossing Gate Gill before continuing on towards Doddick Gill.

The ridge that can be see over Jenny's left shoulder is Hall's Fell. Doddick Gill and Fell are further on. 		  Jenny at the upper car park Threlkeld 09:33 Threlkeld upper car park ready to start


Jenny about to cross Doddick Gill 10:30 Jenny about to cross Doddick Gill   It took almost an hour to reach Doddick Gill and the start of our climb proper.

Doddick Fell starts with a substantial rounded hill and then continues as a fairly narrow ridge. Climbing onto the first part requires the greatest effort with the least reward.


It took another hour before we stopped to take a breather and enjoy a cup of coffee.

The photograph is taken looking back towards Threlkeld, our starting point. In fact, part of the village can be seen right alongside the rim of Jenny's hat. Also clearly visible is the A66 trunk road. 		  Jenny stops for coffee before tackling the ridge 11:33 Jenny stops for coffee before looking around and tackling the ridge.


Jenny infront of Blencathra Summit 11:40 Jenny and Blencathra Summit   Jenny on the ridge walk 11:46 Jenny starts up the ridge walk


Jenny found the climb difficult and had to stop a number of times on the way up.

There were two outcrops of rock which had to be negotiated and which she did not like at all but they would not have troubled most walkers.

Just a few steps from the top of the ridge she simply sat down for a long time and refused to go any further. The photograph shows most of the ridge walk up Doddick Fell really well. 		  Jenny near the top 13:06 Jenny is exhausted and sits down


When we finally reached the top of Doddick Fell, the view ahead was of Sharp Edge, a rather more difficult way of ascending Blencathra.

Of course, we still had some way to go to reach Blencathra Summit but the path was good, wide and not too steep, as it climbed in a number of zig-zags to the top. 		  Top of Doddick with Sharp Edge in view 13:31 Sharp Edge can be see from the top of Doddick Fell


Hall's Fell 13:36 Hall's Fell   Hall's Fell could be seen on our left, as we continued our climb to the summit. Hall's Fell starts just past Gate Gill and we had passed it on the way to Doddick Fell. It is the ridge walk to the west of Doddick and goes straight to Blencathra Summit.

Wainwright, in his books, maintained that Hall's Fell was probably the best way to climb Blencathra because the summit was always in sight. There is one rock outcrop on Hall's Fell that definitely requires some scrambling and the footpath is somewhat broken near the top. Also, going directly to the summit means it goes on for longer without a break. Wainwright did concede that Doddick was probably second best and it was definitely the better bet where Jenny was concerned.


Blencathra Summit 14:04 Jenny at the summit   The Summit at last!

In the photograph on the left, Hall's Fell footpath arrives at the summit immediately behind Jenny. In the distance, we look over St. John's in the Vale to Thirlmere.

The photograph on the right shows the broad path we are to follow next, towards Blease Common and our eventual descent towards Threlkeld. The Skiddaw range is seen in the distance. 		  Summit cairn 14:02 Blencathra Summit cairn


The broad, safe path that sloped gently downhill was very much to Jenny's liking. Even so, she walked on the grass alongside the path as far away from the steeper edge as possible.

The whole back of Blencathra is a bit of a sham. Like a film set, the front is dramatic but the back, usually unseen, slopes away quite gently as rough pasture with few dramatic features. 		  Broad path along the top of Blencathra 14:22 Broad, safe path


Threlkeld from Blease Common 16:05 Threlkeld from Blease Common   The path had a number of long zig-zags and the descent to Blease Common was relatively painless. On the common the path clearly divided into two. To the right it headed towards the Blencathra Outbound Centre, while the left hand path went in the direction of Threlkeld.

Just past the sheep in the photograph, the path descended very steeply and it was difficult to keep one's footing. Jenny needed quite a lot of assistance and did not enjoy this at all.

We would have been back at the car park by 17:00 but this was not recorded anywhere. Jenny was pleased she had done the walk but has no intention of ever repeating it!

Editor: Peter J. Cosker   peter@the2coskers.com   other Lake District walks   Updated: 21/02/2017