A strong cool easterly wind was the main weather feature at the start of this demanding walk. Luckily this brought fine dry and sunny conditions with good visibility and no navigation problems.
12 started, with a 2:1 preponderance of visitors, though sadly Martyn had to withdraw because of sickness after climbing Carrock Fell – fortunately he survived a long day waiting in the car for Dennis and was able to enjoy his supper at the Mill Inn.
Tony lead the way West over the quiet, unfrequented tops of Great Sca Fell and Meal Fell eventually reaching Great Cockup after a short stop in the pleasant col of Trusmadoor. The route then lead South on faint sheep tracks to the top of Dash falls were we met fellow club member Richard – course record holder in 3 hours and not a lot – who was running round in the opposite direction!
Loins were then girded for the toil up to Bakestall and Skiddaw in increasingly fresh conditions. Little time was spent on the chilly top as a late lunch beckoned down at Skiddaw House. Tiring limbs were eventually stirred for the final and toughest climb of the day up the grassy backside of Blencathra via Mungrisedale Common and the Cloven Stone.
We were greeted by the strongest winds of the day here and struggled with it all the way down the ridge to the Glenderamackin col. Here it was decided, by unanimous consent, to ignore the charms of Bowscale Fell and to continue the long northerly traverse down to ford the River Caldew (only mid-calf deep) close to our start point. Complaints of cold feet and wet footwear were short-lived (and ignored by the leader) when all realised that the finish was only 5 minutes away and would be reached with clean boots!
After 19 miles and around 6000 ft. of ascent in a tad under 9 hours the fleshpots of the Mill Inn at Mungrisedale were more than welcome.