Threlkeld, Glenderaterra Beck, Blencathra, Cumbria.
[12.4 km] Wed 27 Mar 2013

NY 3185 2560
With a lot of wind blown snow still blocking many roads I left my car in the small car park in Threlkeld. There is another at the end of the lane near the Blencathra Centre but I guessed the road may not be open higher up. I walked up the lane and was proved right. The road was OK as far as the Centre entrance but after that the drifts meant an ordinary car wouldn’t get through. As I passed a van was stuck by the roadside and a tractor was there about to tow it out.

At the end of the track the drifting had completely obliterated the track and path as it headed north above Glenderaterra Beck. At Roughtengill Beck I crossed the low flat bridge and turned right up towards the ridge. I’d only just started up when I came across a flat area which looked like an old ruin. Continuing up the snow got a bit deeper, but not too deep. Unfortunately it wasn’t in good condition for walking on and the deeper sections wouldn’t take my weight. At 440m altitude I came across a shelter cairn which is more like a shelter wall.

It was an ideal place to stop for my sandwiches and would be even better on a warm sunny day. The earlier cloud and flurries of snow were now clearing and I had some nice distant views with a mix of cloud and blue sky. Continuing up to wards Arkinson Pike was a laborious trudge. The snow was still the same as lower down and wouldn’t take my weight, making for hard going. Below Atkinson Pike I climbed the steep Blue Screes which were covered in snow and I had to be extra careful because of the strong easterly wind. I reached the cairn then headed for Hallsfell Top.

In the distance I could see other walkers and one had even brought skis up. The strong wind made the going difficult at times but after Hallsfell Top I turned to the SW along the summit ridge and had the wind mostly on my back making it easier going. Parts of the route were clear of snow as the wind had blown it away. At Blease Fell the ziz zag descent started and I headed down to a small cairn marking the junction of 3 paths. I headed straight down to pick up the main path which is more like an ancient track descending steadily to the east. It descended all the way down to a lower path by a wall. At Blease Gill a small flock of sheep wandering around the gate where the path descends though the woods back to the car park.