Blencathra Saddleback Lake District Mountains Keswick

Blencathra Grand drama on Saddleback!

Familiarity with Blencathra does not bring contempt, says Wainwright, but rather greater admiration and affection. Perhaps AW's more pleasing description of Blencathra is in his earlier 1930s 'Tour in the Lake District', which he undertook with three friends. He didn't have time to climb Blencathra actually in this early tour, so it's interesting that the description here is mostly from the ground up. In the 1950s book 5, the inimitable style of deriding us with 'L' plates, dull people whose eyes are not habitually lifted to the hills is more the approach.

That is as it may be, but truth be told Blencathra, especially the southern front, is a bit scary to the novice glimpsing it for the first time (especially in the middle of winter!) as you drive along the A66, or look across from Castlerigg Stone Circle or alternatively Threlkeld Common (the latter two being photographers choices). Our eyes are lifted, but confidence building and working upwards takes time!

Retreating glaciers certainly left their mark on this mountain, creating the drama of gouged flanks, crags and scree. Blencathra, back in the mid-18th century, was known as Saddleback, apt considering the shape of the southern front. Some of us might prefer friendly Saddleback, but both Wordsworth and Wainwright preferred Blencathra, Celtic for 'Hill of the Chair'. Saddle or chair, you decide.

Gillham and Turnbull, in the Collins Ramblers guide, recommend heartily the walk up Blencathra via Halls Fell Ridge. This route they say will convert all to hill walking. They give this route the highest grade, 5, so unless you're an experienced walker in general it is advisable to tag on with some guidance on your first trip up. Ordnance survey maps, compass, supplies and so forth are essential. Most walkers begin the climb on this 'mountaineers mountain' from Threlkeld, a quiet and charming little village once the main base for those working the nearby granite quarry.

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