Is it safe to climb Blencathra today and tomorrow?

Today on Blencathra is rated Good and tomorrow Poor, from the summit forecast. Summit forecast updated 19:15, 18 Oct. The reasons are below, followed by what the rating can't tell you.

Is it safe to climb Blencathra today?

Good Today Sunday 18 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 15 mph, gusting 19 mph. That is under the Marginal line of 25 mph wind or 45 mph gusts.
• Rain: 0% chance of rain, about 0 mm in all.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 5% and humidity 84% at summit height. The forecast gives no cloud base height; the main peak page estimates one from the valley forecast.
• Temperature and wind chill: Up to 6°C at the summit, down to -5°C, feeling as cold as -7°C in the wind. Below freezing at the summit, so expect ice on rock and paths, especially early.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:07: 10h 20m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 3h 5m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

Is it safe to climb Blencathra tomorrow?

Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 44 mph, gusting 55 mph. That is past the Poor line (wind 40 mph or gusts 65 mph), when walking on exposed ground is hard and a fall more likely.
• Rain: 32% chance of rain, about 2.5 mm in all.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 62% and humidity 94% at summit height. The forecast gives no cloud base height; the main peak page estimates one from the valley forecast.
• Temperature and wind chill: Up to 8°C at the summit, down to 2°C, feeling as cold as -2°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:05: 10h 16m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 3h 5m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

What the verdict covers, and what it doesn't

Peakify rates each day Good, Marginal or Poor from the forecast summit wind, gusts, chance of rain and wind chill. Wind of 40 mph or gusts of 65 mph make it Poor; wind of 25 mph, gusts of 45 mph, a 60% chance of rain or a feels-like temperature of -8°C or below make it Marginal. That is all it measures: the weather forecast at the summit.

It does not know your fitness or experience, whether you can navigate in cloud with a map and compass, or what you are carrying. It does not see the state of the path, river levels, snow and ice already on the ground, or how the forecast is changing during the day. A Good day can still go wrong if you start late, turn an ankle or lose the path in mist, and a Marginal day can be fine for an experienced party on the easiest route.

On any day, carry waterproofs, warm layers, a hat and gloves, food, water, a head torch and a charged phone, and know how you would navigate if the top is in cloud. Tell someone your route and when you expect to be down. In winter conditions you need an ice axe and crampons and the skill to use them, or a guide.

Route notes for Blencathra

Scales via Scales Fell

From Scales (roadside parking by the White Horse). A steady path climbs the broad ridge of Scales Fell above the River Glenderamackin to the summit plateau. Graded Moderate: a hill path, rough or rocky in places, below the Hard and Scramble grades. In cloud, take care to stay on the path. About 2h 15m there and back by Naismith's rule (3.0 km one way, 634 m of ascent).

Threlkeld via Blease Fell walking paths

From Threlkeld public car park. A hard mountain walk to the summit from Threlkeld public car park. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground. About 2h 15m there and back by Naismith's rule (2.7 km one way, 680 m of ascent).

Threlkeld via Hall's Fell Ridge

From Threlkeld village. Climb from Gate Gill up the rocky crest of Hall's Fell Ridge, which finishes at Hallsfell Top. Graded Scramble: hands-on rock. Wind and wet rock make a scramble far more serious than its grade, so it is the first route to drop on a Marginal or Poor day. About 2h 40m there and back by Naismith's rule (3.6 km one way, 733 m of ascent).

Scales via Sharp Edge

From Scales (roadside parking by the White Horse). Walk up beside the Glenderamackin to Scales Tarn, cross the narrow rock crest of Sharp Edge and climb to Atkinson Pike. Graded Scramble: hands-on rock. Wind and wet rock make a scramble far more serious than its grade, so it is the first route to drop on a Marginal or Poor day. About 3h 5m there and back by Naismith's rule (4.4 km one way, 816 m of ascent).

Full distances, ascent and times are on the Blencathra routes page.

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Mountain rescue teams in the UK are volunteers called out through the police. Give your location (a grid reference from a map or phone app if you can), what has happened, how many are in your group and your phone number, then keep the phone free. If you have no signal, try to move to higher ground or text 999; you need to have registered your phone with the emergencySMS service before for a text to work.

Questions about Blencathra

Is it safe to climb Blencathra today?

Today, Sunday 18 October: partly cloudy, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 19 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. The rating covers the summit weather only; your route, kit and experience matter as much.

Is it safe to climb Blencathra tomorrow?

Tomorrow, Monday 19 October: dense drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 44 mph gusting 55 mph, 32% chance of rain. Rated Poor.

How does Peakify decide whether Blencathra is safe to climb?

Peakify rates each day Good, Marginal or Poor from the forecast summit wind, gusts, chance of rain and wind chill. Wind of 40 mph or gusts of 65 mph make it Poor; wind of 25 mph, gusts of 45 mph, a 60% chance of rain or a feels-like temperature of -8°C or below make it Marginal. It does not judge your fitness, kit, navigation or the state of the path.

Who do I call in an emergency on Blencathra?

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (a grid reference if you can), what happened and how many are in your group. Stay with the casualty and keep them warm.