Blencathra
Portrait of a Mountain

By Ronald Turnbull


Blencathra
Online price: £25.00
Hardback, 176 pages
Published: 30th June 2010

Category: Science and Nature, Travel


For many walkers, Blencathra is the finest fell of them all. It stands steep-sided and solitary at the edge of Lakeland's northern fells.

The ordinary way up, by Mousthwaite Comb and Scales Tarn, is an intriguingly easy ascent. There are also two Grade 1 scrambles: Halls Fell is a ridge rising rockily for 400m, but nowhere difficult; while Sharp Edge is a narrow arĂȘte high above Scales Tarn, one of the finest but also one of the hardest Grade 1 scrambles in Lakeland.

The ridges on either side of Halls Fell are slightly less rocky, but much wilder. The ravines between those ridges are full of scree, and sheep, and steep wet shale. For solitary wanderers, there's Carrock Fell. And there's the Back o' Blencathra.

Youthful enthusiast, rough-handed scrambler, geologist and ghost-hunter, all emerge onto Blencathra's two-kilometre summit ridge. There you stroll on gentle gravel and grass, along the brink of that sudden drop to the south. Beyond Derwentwater and St John's Vale, laid out in panorama, is all the jagged roughness of Helvellyn, the Scafells, and Great Gable. But although Gable and Scafell are excellent hills, the one walkers keep coming back to, again and again, is Blencathra.

A nice read for anyone with an attachment to Blencathra. You can simply dip into it and enjoy the photography or delve deeper into the words and background of the mountain - there are spectral armies up there you know - or simply use the book for route-planning inspiration, though it's not a guidebook in the conventional sense. Or all three. - Outdoors Magic

A beautifully illustrated tome. - Westmorland Gazette

Not only are the photos ones which you can pore over time and time again, but the text is packed with fascinating tales, anecdotes and well-researched information. A book to enjoy for years to come. - Keswick Reminder

50,000 books have been written about the Lake District over the best part of two centuries. This is one of the finest. Turnbull's atmospheric pictures, summer and winter, are quite outstanding. Makes me want to pack my rucksack and head up the M6 to Blencathra. - Manchester Evening News

As quirky and fascinating as would be expected from this highly knowledgeable writer, walker and photographer. - Cumbria Life

Everything - and I mean everything - you wanted to know about Blencathra but were afraid to ask. Best of all though are the fantastic images. - Cumbria

Re-aquaint yourself with Blencathra in a comfy armchair, then plan your next visit to view it in a new light. - TGO: The Great Outdoors

A book that will sit impressively in any Lake District lover's collection. - Footsteps



Publication Details:

Binding: Hardback, 176 pages
ISBN: 9780711229860
Format: 305mm x 250mm
250 colour photographs

BIC Code: AJC, RGBS
BISAC Code:  NAT041000
Imprint: Frances Lincoln


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