24 Mar 2014
I climbed this fell in 2009 when completing the list of Wainwright’s 214 summits. It was a fearful day with strong winds and threatening rain. There was also low cloud, so I didn't actually see the summit until I was touching it! So I thought I would go again on a fine day to see what it really looks like.
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| Hard Knott and the pass from above Wha House |
When Andrew and I set off from Wha House along the terrace route the sun was shining and visibility was excellent, but there was, again, a strong, cold wind.
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| Slight Side from Cow Cove Beck |
We stopped at Cowcove Beck for a snack before tackling the level trek along to the boulder which marks the spot where the steep climb to the ridge begins. It was hard going, and cold. Within sight of the summit we managed to get out of the wind to eat our lunch. On my earlier visit the section of the mountain above 2000ft had been in cloud and out of sight from where we were sitting, and I was surprised today to be able to recognise the summit rocks.
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| Sca Fell (left) from Slight Side |
As we approached the top it seemed only a few months since I had been there instead of five years. All the summit rocks were now clear, but it appeared more difficult to scale them than when shrouded in mist on my previous visit. Andrew didn't like the look of the climb and I couldn't blame him.
We tried AW’s suggestion of using the gap on the left, but an insurmountable boulder blocked the way. There was snow on the north side of the fell but I decided to go round to see if there was a way up from there. Sure enough, we were able to climb up from the other side of the boulder and easily reach the summit cairn: a small pile of stones on the highest point of the rocks.
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| I couldn't even see the top on my first visit! |
The views in all directions were superb and it wasn't too windy to spend some moments enjoying the panorama. A young couple approached from the path to Sca Fell, and nimbly scampered across the rocks to the top and down the south side where I had climbed before. I wish I still had such nonchalance!
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| Sca Fell Pike, Ill Crag, Esk Pike and Bowfell |
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| Burn Moor Tarn, Illgill Head and Whin Rigg |
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| It's that man again! |
We took some photos of Harter Fell and Hard Knott Roman Fort on the way down.
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| Harter Fell |
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| Mediobogdum Roman Fort from the terrace route |
