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OS Grid ref: NY 36162 30310
Lat/Long: 54.663811, -02.991205
I’d originally planned to do today's walk tomorrow but the
weather forecast today was much better so did some rushed
preparation to the get map route sorted and then set off half an
hour later than normal. The clear sky and low morning sun was
shining through the right side of my car as I drove north along
the M6 motorway and I had to have the sun visor correctly
placed. I reached Mungrisdale and even though the verge parking
to the south was clear I decided to park on the branch lane
where parking is available at £2 for the day. I headed back
along the lane then passing The Mill Inn noticed a new-ish
footbridge across the River Glenderamackin to link the pub car
park with the car park across from the village hall. A short way
on was the Mungridale Community Wild Garden but I didn’t stop to
have a look. |
The Mill Inn. |
Community Wild Garden. |
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Great Mell Fell with Little Mell Fell behind. |
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To get to the start of the path up Souther Fell I had to reach
the road gate and turn right to follow a very wet and muddy path
and follow a switchback. Although it was sunny the high ferns
were very wet and my trousers were soon soaked. I wasn't too
bothered as I knew the sun would dry them on the climb. The
steep climb waas easy grass without encroaching ferns. Half way
up I met a walker coming down. His accent sounded local and he
didn't have a rucksack. The views east across to the Pennines
were very impressive though a little hazy in the distance. The
summit ridge of Souther Fell is mostly flat and runs for over a
mile. The actual summit is just a small cairn but further on is
a more substantial tall cairn on the west side with impressive
views of Blencathra and Rannerdaledale. I stopped here for an
early lunch. The path heads down to the top of Mousethwaite Comb
where I descended the deep rutted path down to the footbridge
across the River Glenderamackin. I followed the wide easy path
down the deep valley to the north until I reached the base of
the Bannerdale East Ridge. |
Souther Fell cairn with Blencathra & Sharp Edge in the
background. |
Sharp Edge. |
Clough Head in the distance. |
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I turned up the ridge and followed the path to the 450m contour
then left it to head right down the slope into Bannerdale. My
objective was to check out the old mine workings and in the
distance I could see the ruins of the old stone building that
was the office and store. Before reaching it I checked out the
very wet entrance to a mine level but it was too difficult to
get in without getting a soaking. |
The wet mine entrance. |
Office & store. |
Office & store. |
I checked out the stone ruin of the office & store then
climbed up the difficult slope above to investigate a cave shown
on the map. It wasn't much of a cave and I’m not sure if I was
at the right one. I descended wet ground to the north and
climbed up to reach an old track along the side of the valley. |
Looking out from the cave. |
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Eventually it joined the main track up towards Bowscales Fell.
There were several people out enjoying the easy trail. I stopped
to chat with a couple then further on met another couple who
asked directions as they'd brought the wrong map. I descended to
the bridge over Bullfell Beck and followed the stone slabs along
the detoured path. I was soon back in Mungrisdale and my car. |
Summit cairn Bannerdale Crags. |
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