Re: Blencathra | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Sweep wrote:

When walking the fells with a book by Wainwright, also take a proper OS map with you.

For all Wainwright's snide comments about the OS I found I was misled when following one of his maps and needed the OS map to clarify where I was and how I'd gone wrong.

Regarding Blencathra, I'm glad they've kept the name, but `Saddleback' is also an accurate description of the shape the mountain makes, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to find it's been a local name. I remember when there was an outcry over the new name Cumbria. Although it was indeed a new name for the three former counties, the composite name Cumbria occurs in Wordsworth and so has good provenance.

Thanks for that Sweep, I was walking up there in May and we definitely had an OS map with us at all times. Blencathra/Saddleback will always be synonymous with Castlerigg for me as I spent quite a long time there just watching the shadows drift across the surrounding fells. The Wainwright book mentioned contains 18 of his favourite walks and is a rather large hardback so I wouldn't be taking it out and about.

PS:
I should give the charity shop a mention which is above average - spacious and tidy with the downstairs section devoted just to books. Helen & Douglas House (specialist hospice care for children and young adults) Regent's Street, Swindon.