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Report on Blencathra
8 September
2007
When Mark suggested earlier in the week we go up Blencathra via Sharp Edge, as usual I said yes without thinking about what lay ahead. Jacqui, Keith, Kevin, Mark and myself set off in Mark's car around 08:15 from Mauchline. The journey was uneventful until we were going along the A66 towards Scales on a dual carriageway. Now Kevin was sitting in the middle of the back seat and was busy eating an apple, not concerned where we were going. When suddenly his hands shot out ahead and he dropped the apple out of his mouth. He thought we were overtaking coming up to a blind corner at the top of a hill and he thought he was a goner. The road had been formed from an old road and the other 2 laned carriageway going in the opposite direction was hidden from sight below us. That certainly wakened him up!!!
We arrived at Scales at approx 10:30 and found the route up to Blencathra. Keith had already decided that he would only walk up part of the way and spend the day sketching before making his way back alone. As Keith is visually impaired, finding his way back on his own would be a personal challenge to him. We left Keith just before we reached the tarn and the sight of Sharp Edge was quite daunting. We couldn't have chosen a better day as it was cool with little wind. So off we headed to Sharp Edge, although the steepness of Foule Crag looked a bigger obstacle. Mark, the official photographer, lead the way but this was so he could get far ahead in order to take action photos of us....if that's what you want to call them! Kevin was next, then Jacqui and I carefully encouraged each other along the Edge. There were a couple of sections where had to be careful and take our time but there were plenty of hand holds. Foule Crag as I said looked the most daunting but Kevin suggested we climb up a gully which made it easier for us as we never felt the need to look down! Before we knew it we had reached the top and we felt quite elated. This was especially satisfying for me as I am usually a big feartie!
We headed to the summit of Blencathra which was in cloud and rather cold. Jacqui and I found the Geocache just off the summit which is something we like doing now whilst out hillwalking. We headed to the pub making it a circular route and expected Keith to be waiting for us but he wasn't there. Oh no don't say we have lost him.......how would we explain this to Nita? Managed to contact him on his mobile and he was only 15 minutes behind us thankfully.
We ended the day with a curry in Penrith before heading back home. Thanks Mark for suggesting such a good walk and for offering to drive.
Irene Cahill
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