I was lucky enough to be able to take the day off work when I spied this weather window which frankly had been placed between the grim of grey skies, swollen ground and plenty of rain, in fact, I think today even caught the forecasters by surprise because two days ago they'd written the whole weekend off. Blencathra from Mungrisdale is fast becoming one of my 'go to' walks because given the amount of time I had to get my gear ready this was the first walk that popped into my head, I guess that's when you know you have a favourite in the making.

The walk starts from the hamlet of Mungrisdale before heading for Bannerdale via the banks of the River Glenderamackin from where Bannerdale Crags east ridge is gained. The east ridge for me is one of Lakelands hidden gems, yes it's popular but nowhere near as popular as Wetherlam Edge but it has exactly the same qualities in my opinion. Once the Bannerdale Crags is gained it's time to head for Blencathra via the scree path on Atkinson Pike. From the summit of Blencathra I descend over Doddick Fell top then Scales Fell before crossing the col at Mousthwaite Comb from where the days last summit awaits, Souther Fell. To walk a favourite on the day as I had today can simply be put as what fell walking dreams are made of.

After all the doom and gloom finally we have frost on the ground. I was surprised to find I was the first to arrive at the parking places but that said this is a weekday morning. Soon a second car pulls up and despite getting a morning wave from its occupants they leave the engine running while they looked over a map.

I kit according to the forecast adding gloves and beanie from the start, it's -1°C and the air feels very still and clouds of my breath escape as I lace up my boots, already the cold air is settling on my chest, I best get a move on. Leaving the parking spaces I waved again at the couple in the car and head out passing Mungrisdale Hall and walked up the hill towards the red phone box from where I'd head into Bannerdale.

I hadn't felt a breath of wind in Mungrisdale but once exposed to the open a cold blast greeted me as I was making my way towards Bannerdale which made my nose run and eyes water, blimey I've only just left the car which probably explains it. I'm heading towards the base of Bannerdale Crags east ridge seen over on the left, the formal way to reach it is to follow a narrow path along the banks of the River Glenderamackin but this path in some parts has been washed although the path is still safe to use, you do tend to find yourself making detour after detour in order to get around the erosion and not forgetting, the boggy bits of which there are many.

The alternative would be to follow the path seen centre widening left around the base of The Tongue then leave the path over rough ground until the base of the east ridge is reached.

In the end I ended up using the eroded path along the banks of the Glenderamackin, I suppose I was won over by the sound of the river which accompanied me to the base of the east ridge. The path mentioned was quite boggy but at least I got the chance to swill my boots in Bannerdale Beck at the foot of the east ridge.

The sun is still low at the moment but the skies are clear meaning by the time I would gain the east ridge I should be in glorious sunshine.

The morning just kept getting better finding that I had the summit to myself when eight, then six people broke away as I approached, I must smell or something! There was a slight breeze and the air was mighty nippy but not cold enough for me to pull up a large rock and take five minutes if only to absorb the fantastic views which sadly didn't extend as far as the north western, and eastern fells which were all in shade.

Descending the path on east flank of Souther Fell is always a delight and todays descent was no different, I really can't recommend the path enough both by means of ascent or descent. It was the kind of descent I really didn't want to end but end it did on the tarmac road which links Mungrisdale with Scales. It was here I am passed by a cyclist who smiles as she passes, the strain from the incline evident across her face.

A short walk further down the hill a signpost directs through pasture and over the Glenderamackin for the final time. She was in full flow as the sunlight tweaked through the bare trees from above leaving the surface shimmering in a golden light.