Winter arrives in the Lake District!

I had headed up to the Lake District for the Kendal Mountain Film Festival, planning to go there on the Saturday and squeeze in a walk on the Sunday. As I approached the Lakes under clear blue skies I could hardly contain my excitement as I was met with a view of the mighty peaks covered in snow. Winter, it seemed, had certainly arrived!
My initial plan was to walk up Red Screes, so I had tactically car camped nearby late Saturday night with the hope of an early start and cloudless summits. As I woke early and popped my head out of the window I was miffed to see that I was in a cloud itself, and no summits or even the road could be seen. I decided to grab a couple more hours sleep with the hope that the fog would lift.

At 8am I got up to make breakfast and although the fog had lifted a bit the summit of Red Screes was shrouded in cloud. It was looking rather doubtful that I would get the views I had expected today but decided to head on up nonetheless – after all, it could clear later! Walking boots on, rucksack packed; I went to grab my map and start walking.

My map. Where was my map?

Having riffled through the car and bag numerous times it soon began to dawn on me that the map was not in the car. If it wasn’t in the car, it was more than likely still at home in the place I had last had it before I left early on Saturday. But I am sure I packed it, almost positive even. Nope, it’s definitely not here.

Oh Balls!

Red Screes (taken in Nov 2013)

With claggy conditions and no idea what the tops would be like I decided that it would not be good to head on up without the map, even though I have done the route a fair few times before.

So that was it, the Red Screes plan was abandoned and so was my mountain walk by the looks of it.
As I began to put my bag back in the car I noticed a map peeking out from under a scarf on the passenger seat.

It was OS map OL5, the north eastern territory, which had been left in the car from the last time I was up in the Lakes a few weeks before.

A quick look at the map and the back-up plan was settled – head north and attempt Blencathra as I was familiar with the route, it’s got a car park at the bottom and takes about 3.5hrs give or take.

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As I drove from Kirkstone Pass towards Blencathra I couldn’t help but notice that all the surrounding hills were covered in thick clag, so no summits could be seen. I was a bit disheartened by this as the last time I had checked the forecast it was supposed to be a fairly good day. That’s mountain weather for you though - ever changeable.

Onwards I went until I the mountain came into view, featuring a heavy shroud of cloud on the tops but clear flanks that intermittently lit up to a golden autumnal hue as the sun tried its best to break through. I drove passed the White Horse Inn and continued on the narrow road to the car park, pleased to see that though it was bust I managed to get the last spot. I got out, threw on my rucksack and started out on the path under blue sky and accompanied by the sun that had managed to make it through.

Looking up Mousthwaite Comb

I walked up the fairly steep path Via Mousthwaite Comb checking back to see the views behind me that were more or less blocked by the cloud that was still hanging heavily on most of the mid lakes area.

Up and up I went before shortly arriving at the saddle where I was met with snow patches here and there and a small glimpses of a snowy Atkinson Pike as the cloud blew across it. Continuing on the path I was soon surrounded by the fells which featured a smattering of snow on their flanks!

Looking towards a snowy Sharp Edge, Blencathra

The further I walked the more snow there was and as I reached Scales Tarn it was quite obvious that winter had arrived in the mountains. The snow became deeper as I left the tarn behind and continued on my way up to the top and on to the summit (868m). Fortunately this was not ice axe and crampon conditions, which is good as failing to have both with me, I would have not continued if it was.

Looking down towards Scales Tarn

There was a handful of people at the summit with more approaching from the Hall’s Fell Ridge route and what a wonderful place to be. The cloud drifted in and out providing either great views across to the peaks or a few seconds of whiteout. There was still a lot of cloud on the southern fells and I wondered if Red Screes had a clear summit, most likely not.

Walker on the summit of Blencathra, Lake District

After enjoying being surrounded in a winter wonderland high up on that mountain, the wind whipped up so I began my descent, taking the Scales Fell route back down to the car park. Lo and Behold, the skies cleared and the views were extensive.

The ridge leading to the summit of Blencathra from the east

Rucksack in the car, boots off and engine on I headed off on the long drive home, chuffed to bits with what I had experienced that day. Though the day had begun with a slight spanner in the works having forgot the map for the original route, all was not lost and I am kind of glad that it led me to head north to Blencathra. A moment of serendipity indeed!

Oh, and the map that I had left at home? I found it tucked away under the driver’s seat when I got home……