Bannerdale Crags, Blencathra & Souther Fell - Wednesday 29 January 2025
Route
Mungrisdale - River Glenderamackin - Bannerdale - Bannerdale Crags - Atkinson Pike - White Cross - Blencathra - Doddick Fell - Scales Fell - Souther Fell - Low Beckside - Mungrisdale
Parking
Opposite the Village Hall in Mungrisdale (Donation). The Grid Ref is NY364302 and the nearest postcode is CA11 0XQ.
Mileage
8.4 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout. Whilst there was snow and ice on the ground today and we were carrying winter gear, micro spikes were not required. It should be noted that the route from the ford at Grid Reference NY 35078 29463 to the summit of Bannerdale Crags is not marked on the OS Map but it is there on the ground.
Weather
Sunny with excellent visibility but extremely cold on the ridges
Time Taken
5hrs 10mins
Total Ascent
3681ft (1122m)
Wainwrights
3
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes (North Eastern Area)
Walkers
Dave with Christine Backhouse
Mungrisdale - River Glenderamackin - Bannerdale - Bannerdale Crags - Atkinson Pike - White Cross - Blencathra - Doddick Fell - Scales Fell - Souther Fell - Low Beckside - Mungrisdale
Parking
Opposite the Village Hall in Mungrisdale (Donation). The Grid Ref is NY364302 and the nearest postcode is CA11 0XQ.
Mileage
8.4 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths throughout. Whilst there was snow and ice on the ground today and we were carrying winter gear, micro spikes were not required. It should be noted that the route from the ford at Grid Reference NY 35078 29463 to the summit of Bannerdale Crags is not marked on the OS Map but it is there on the ground.
Weather
Sunny with excellent visibility but extremely cold on the ridges
Time Taken
5hrs 10mins
Total Ascent
3681ft (1122m)
Wainwrights
3
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes (North Eastern Area)
Walkers
Dave with Christine Backhouse
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GPX File
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Route Map
The Village Hall in Mungrisdale - the start point for today's walk.
The parking area is opposite and a donation box is sited at the far end of the hall. The previous Village Hall was bought by the Mungrisdale Women’s Institute in 1924 for £82 from the Carrock Mining Company. It was dismantled and transported by horse and cart to the site opposite The Mill Inn. At the turn of the Millennium the overall fabric of the building had deteriorated and the hall lacked the modern amenities required by today’s standards. A decision was taken therefore to raise funds for a new hall. In March 2003 the village received a major Community Fund grant which provided the impetus to move forward. After two years of planning and fundraising including grants from Eden District Council and DEFRA, building of the new hall began in March 2004. The new hall was completed early in 2005 at a cost of £368,000 and was opened by the Prince of Wales in March that year.
The parking area is opposite and a donation box is sited at the far end of the hall. The previous Village Hall was bought by the Mungrisdale Women’s Institute in 1924 for £82 from the Carrock Mining Company. It was dismantled and transported by horse and cart to the site opposite The Mill Inn. At the turn of the Millennium the overall fabric of the building had deteriorated and the hall lacked the modern amenities required by today’s standards. A decision was taken therefore to raise funds for a new hall. In March 2003 the village received a major Community Fund grant which provided the impetus to move forward. After two years of planning and fundraising including grants from Eden District Council and DEFRA, building of the new hall began in March 2004. The new hall was completed early in 2005 at a cost of £368,000 and was opened by the Prince of Wales in March that year.
The footbridge over the River Glenderamackin with the north face of Souther Fell to the rear - to the right is The Old Mill Inn. The descent from the north face would be our route at the end of today's walk.
The route passes below The Old Mill Inn to reach a telephone box on a lane to the left of the road
At the end of the lane it becomes a rough track and passes through a gate. The large lump ahead is The Tongue with Bannerdale Crags and its east ridge over to the left.
Looking back towards Mungrisdale to Raven Crags on the end of Bowscale Fell's eastern ridge
Bannerdale Crags east ridge now in full view as we handrail the Glenderamackin towards Bannerdale Beck
At Grid Reference NY 35078 29463 the route reaches Bannerdale Beck. The main path continues on however a vague path leaves to the right up a steep, grassy slope.
The top of the steep grassy slope - as can be seen the path heading up the east ridge is now in view. As indicated in the walk description above, this path is not detailed on the OS Map.
Looking back to our outward route from Mungrisdale with Souther Fell over to the right and Bowscale Fell to the left
Souther Fell from the east ridge of Bannerdale Crags - we would be up there later
Approaching the rocky outcrop which marks the completion of the easiest section of the ridge
The upper section of Bannerdale Crags east ridge
Wainwright described the ascent of this section as "a grand scramble in an impressive situation - a bit of real mountaineering" (Bannerdale Crags 6). In all fairness, it is a very straightforward ascent on a good path - the picture makes it look harder than it actually is.
Wainwright described the ascent of this section as "a grand scramble in an impressive situation - a bit of real mountaineering" (Bannerdale Crags 6). In all fairness, it is a very straightforward ascent on a good path - the picture makes it look harder than it actually is.
Looking down the east ridge to the rocky outcrop - the Pennines can be seen in the far distance
The impressive sight of the head of Bannerdale from the start of the climb
Bowscale Fell's east ridge across Bannerdale
The old mining hut near the top of the ridge - Christine and I had a break here as it is a lovely spot to look back down the ridge (see pic below). The ruined building was part of Bannerdale Lead Mine which operated between 1854 & 1870. The mine consisted of multiple workings, including openwork and levels and extracted a small amount of lead ore, but the vein was often unpromising and split.
The view back down the ridge from the ruined mine hut
As we near the summit ridge the terrain underfoot eases and the slate waste gives way to a fairly decent path through the grass
Looking across to the headwall of Bannerdale with the summit of Bowscale Fell beyond
The summit now in view as we near the top of the east ridge
Another view down the east ridge, this time from the final approach to the summit
At the top of the east ridge all that was left was a nice easy bimble over to the summit
Bowscale Fell from the cairn situated on the edge of the escarpment. Most people mistake this as the summit of Bannerdale Crags however the highest point is 100 yards or so to the south west.
Looking along the Bannerdale escarpment to Knott & Bowscale Fell
Blencathra from the main cairn - the summit of Bannerdale Crags is 100 yards along the snowy path
The summit of Bannerdale Crags looking to Blencathra
A closer view of Blencathra - Sharp Edge is in the centre of shot with Foule Crag above it. Blencathra's summit is over to the left centre.
We would now be dropping down into the col at the head of the River Glenderamackin which comes up the valley to the left of shot. The river rises on Mungrisdale Common and drains much of the eastern and southern sides of the mountain. Our onward route is via the col then up to the left approaching Blencathra via Blue Screes & Atkinson Pike.
Looking back to the col with Bannerdale Crags over to the right
White Horse Bent to the left with Scales Fell to the right and the River Glenderamackin running between the two
Looking back to the col from higher up as the cornicing hangs on for dear life
Foule Crag on Blencathra with Sharp Edge to the left
Lonscale Fell to the left with the Skiddaw Range centre and Mungrisdale Common over to the right
Heading for Atkinson Pike from Blue Screes. We would be shortly turning to the right across the scree path - what we could see of it that is as most of it was covered in snow.
The path over to Mungrisdale Common from Blue Screes
Looking down Blue Screes to our route of ascent
The short climb up Blue Screes tops out near Atkinson Pike's summit which is to the right. The summit of Blencathra can be seen in the distance to the left.
The White Cross which is situated 200 yards to the south of Atkinson Pike's summit
On a good day the White Cross can clearly be seen from Blencathra's summit. The cross is made up of many crystallised white stones and owes its existence to Harold Robinson of Threlkeld. The original cross was much smaller than this and was first placed here to commemorate a walker who lost his life on an adjacent rough slope. Mr Robinson collected more stones of locally veined quartzite and extended the cross to its present size. (Blencathra 33)
On a good day the White Cross can clearly be seen from Blencathra's summit. The cross is made up of many crystallised white stones and owes its existence to Harold Robinson of Threlkeld. The original cross was much smaller than this and was first placed here to commemorate a walker who lost his life on an adjacent rough slope. Mr Robinson collected more stones of locally veined quartzite and extended the cross to its present size. (Blencathra 33)
Crossing the depression from the White Cross across to Blencathra's summit. In the middle of shot is a small tarn which today was disguised by a snowy covering - we crossed to the right of it.
Thin cloud passes across the ridge of Blencathra as we look to Gategill Fell from the summit
The summit of Blencathra, Hallsfell Top
Gategill Fell from the summit of Blencathra
Before leaving Blencathra for Souther Fell I took my now customary look down Hall's Fell Ridge
Leaving Blencathra we would make our descent firstly via the upper section of Doddick Fell which is in the foreground then over Scales Fell which is to the rear. White Horse Bent is to the left with Souther Fell beyond.
The zig zag path from Blencathra to Doddick Fell
Sharp Edge & Scales Tarn from Doddick Fell
Looking down the valley to Scaley Beck with Scales Fell to the left and the Doddick Fell ridge descent to the right
Heading across Scales Fell from its summit
Looking back to Doddick Fell and our descent from Blencathra
Once across Scales Fell the path splits - we would be heading left which would take us to the col between White Horse Bent & Souther Fell at the top of Mousthwaite Comb. The path to the right continues on over the lower slopes of Scales Fell to reach the path leading to The White Horse in Scales.
Dropping down to the top of Mousthwaite Comb with the lower slopes of White Horse Bent to the left, the River Gleneramackin centre left and Souther Fell straight ahead
In the col and ready to climb steeply for a while up Souther Fell's south ridge
Looking back to the col, Scales Fell, Blencathra & Sharp Edge
Just off path on the approach to Souther Fell is a solitary cairn that is worth the slight detour - it gives a fine view over to Blencathra & Bannerdale Crags. Wainwright sketched the cairn for his Pictorial Guide (Souther Fell 2)
The summit of Souther Fell (pronounced suit-her)
Blencathra is in the distance over Bannerdale Crags with our outward route up the east ridge right of centre
Blencathra is in the distance over Bannerdale Crags with our outward route up the east ridge right of centre
A fantastic view of The Tongue with Bowscale Fell beyond
Descending to Mungrisdale via Souther Fell's north ridge.
From the summit there are two ways to return to Mungrisdale one of which is to continue north and descend steeply to reach Low Beckside - this would be our descent today. The other route is much gentler descent - simply retrace your steps to Grid Reference NY 35353 28925. Here a path leads off to the left and after 200 yards meets another path coming in from the right at Grid Reference NY 35486 28864. This path reaches the road at Low Beckside.
From the summit there are two ways to return to Mungrisdale one of which is to continue north and descend steeply to reach Low Beckside - this would be our descent today. The other route is much gentler descent - simply retrace your steps to Grid Reference NY 35353 28925. Here a path leads off to the left and after 200 yards meets another path coming in from the right at Grid Reference NY 35486 28864. This path reaches the road at Low Beckside.
The steep part of the descent with Mungrisdale below
The route switches back on itself to eventually drop down to the road at Low Beckside
Approaching Mungrisdale - the road links the village with nearby Scales and the A66
The Mill Inn at Mungrisdale - shut like a big shut thing that's shut
Crossing the footbridge over the River Glenderamackin back to the start at the Village Hall