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Past Events - Other Events
2014
Below are photos and reports from selected events during
2014, with the most recent appearing first.
23 September 2014 - Upper Eskdale and Pike de Bield (Lake
District Walk)
Two cars left Gargrave spot on 8 only to find stationary
traffic on the A65 north of Ingleton and an upside-down car.
Flashing lights and a siren cleared a passage for a police
car; the adventures saw an opening and in a flash were away
up the hill Lakeland-bound.
Up into Langdale and over Wrynose Pass to the start-point
at Cockley Beck. "Morning Margo. Apologies for being
5 mins late." Clad for the worst , eleven went up and
over Mossdale discarding layers on route. Thence by Lingcove
Beck to the fords, where paths split, for elevenses.
Onwards into wet cloud; layers back on. "The first up
is the steepest. Oh yes, the first up…" Alpine plod
to Ore Gap and beyond. A band of rocks on the right offered
respite from the strengthening wind. "Early lunch. Find
a hole." I shared with Lynn S (some ladies even had a
discomfort stop)
Before we knew it we were atop Esk Pike. "Stop Rod and
Derek. It's the south ridge for us" (which the book describes
as 'quite the meat and matter of good fellwalking). Heading
generally south down little rock outcrops or through and around
boulder fields, the first target was Pike de Bield. After
two false summits, another appeared out of the mist some 50ft
above us. It was climbed. GPS check NY2357 0682. Bingo. Pike
de Bield.
For the next section I quote from M. Richard's book 'outcropping
makes it difficult to adhere to a consistent path.' We found
no path and I counted 1 to 10 on numerous occasions on this
stretch, often pausing until No. 10, Merrilyn loomed into
view!
To compound matters, my reading glasses steamed up whenever
extracted and my rain-speckled map case had been spun round
so many times by the wind, its cord was throttling me. Help,
I need somebody, not just anybody.
Thanks to Lynne K on compass, Annette with GPS with 1 to
50,000 map (albeit on Spanish settings!), my bit of paper
with the crucial grid references and Damien's acute eye-site,
Yeastyrigg Crags (NY2365 0650) were found, plus a passage
above Greenhole Crags and a descent to the foot of Low Gait
Crags. I get by with a little help from my friends.
Time for a stop and as we sat the mist rolled away momentarily
to reveal the River Esk below Scar Lathing. Half an hour later
we walked by it into the waterfall section and below the mist.
Senor Felipe, Lynne and I were admiring the stunning scenery,
whilst the others marched on. A whistle blast stopped them.
"We'll not go right down to Lingcove Bridge; we'll cut
across to Lingcove Beck." This we did and followed it
upstream seeking a crossing point! John M demonstrated the
advantages of walking poles at the chosen spot.
Safely across we climbed to Mosedale path and returned to
the cars. A challenging but very satisfying day.
The cost of Lake District walks - 5 up for a fiver.
Report above by Jack W - photos
by Damien H
18 June 2014 - Whitfell and Ulpha Fell (Lake District
Walk)
Photo below by John W
- please
click here to view additional photos (external website
link)
22 April 2014 - Blencathra and Bowscale Fell (Lake District
Walk)
Photo below by John W
- please
click here to view additional photos (external website
link)
The forecast suggested opportunities for a)
testing wet weather gear and b) route-finding in the mist.
We weren't to be disappointed!
Three cars departed Gargrave to arrive Mungrisedale
c. 9:45am and with Tony joining us (fresh from his stay at
the adjacent Mill Inn), 14 set out along the road to Bowscale.
West from here on a rising track to Bowscale Tarn, prior to
the steep climb through Tarn Crags to the ridge with a visibility
of at least 50 metres. Team play came to the fore.
Bowscale to Bannerdale and on towards Blencathra…and
improved visibility (see link above for photos) Lunch at the
col, across Mungrisedale Common and down to the Cloven Stone,
the most outlying marker of Mungrisedale parish according
to Tony.
"Where now?" they said. "We contour
round to Roughten Gill, ascend by the stream and then fellside
to the top of Blencathra."
And we did. Thick mist now. GPS needed to find
Scales Fell ridge. Down out of wet cloud and into….steady
persistent rain. A show of hands determined a finish via the
Glenderamackin valley and not Souther Fell. An hour in the
Mill Inn, fine dining in Settle finished off the day.
Report by Jack W
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