
Howgills Walk Meet Report
The day dawned cloudy but mainly dry with just the odd spot of rain threatening but been the CMC we were well attired in clothing that would (and I’ll not use the exact phrase that was used ) see us thorough the day and beyond apparently (you really had to be there).
Our merry band of 6 met at Carlingill Bridge just south of Tebay. Our walk took us along Carlingill weaving up the valley until we had to a choice of the rib up the side of Black Force or the scramble up the force. Four of the group decided on the pleasant looking rib whilst Dick and I ventured up Black force. The rock was a bit slippy but no major obstacles until the main force. Here we decided (not that we really had a choice) to bypass the main waterfall on its right. The bypass turned out to be some what of a botanical experience on grass, heather, bilberry bushes and the odd bit of rock, most of which was loose. At best the bypass was “sketchy”. However, Dick found a way back into the gill (Dick I believe did have a short rope but the thought of abseiling off a twig wasn’t that appealing) and we scrambled on up and whilst a bit slippy in parts we emerged at the top dry and unscathed.
With a brief interlude for lunch, we carried on up onto Fell Head and along to The Calf. From here it was a gentle descent back down to the valley and past the lovely Crook of Lune Bridge. We continued along the valley, and I don’t recall how but we ended up discussing sowing machines (I tell you it’s life on the edge with Craven Mountaineering Club!). As we were nearing the the end of the walk, we encountered a sheep entangled on some barbed wire and before we even had time to think “what would James Herriot do” the sheep had been grabbed by its rear by one of us, from the front by another and once immobilized yours truly was handed a knife and said sheep received a haircut and was freed, off it went…..without even a thank you.
Not long after and we were back at the cars, a great day out on the hills. Many Thanks to Dick for organizing this.
Little Ingleborough meet report
Four of us met at Clapham, amidst lots of folk planning the same objective. Needless to say, we very quickly lost sight of them by following our ‘leader’ along some boggy and overgrown paths (uncomplaining of course) ! onto a delightfully quiet track up to Little Ingleborough and over the summit. This was another great day out in glorious weather with great panoramic views. Thanks Flo for arranging the day out.
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Horse Head Moor walk report
Another window of calm, dry weather for a smashing mid week circular walk that took us from Littondale to Langstrothdale over Horse Head Moor. Starting at Halton Gill, we followed the snowy track in warm sunshine ☀(shedding layers on route) up to Horse Head trig point (631m), and a fabulous Dales panorama. We continued down to Yokenthwaite and along the Dales Way for a peaceful lunch spot by the Wharfe. At Beckermonds, a vague, and boggy in parts track, followed a few cairns back over the fell into Littondale and back to Halton Gill. Our only dilemma then ?… where to stop for tea and cake !!Thanks to Simon for coordinating this lovely outing…. and we didn’t pass any other walkers all day !!
Shirley
Meet report Buckden Pike Walk
After the recent storms it was a bit touch and go whether this walk would go ahead but 5 brave souls (Fiona, Kim, Shirley, myself and Freddie the dog….who to be fair didn’t have a say as to whether he was going or not) met in Rylstone and made the short drive through the watercourse more commonly know as the B6265. After arriving in Buckden with the car wheel arches thoroughly washed we set off and with no rain in sight decided against the donning of waterproof trousers, this decision would as they say “come back to bite us on the bum”.
Having decided the route up Buckden Beck was going to be challenging should a crossing of the beck be required at any stage we headed up the main track.
Good progress was made until the last uphill section where walking and staying upright became a challenge, however in true Craven style it would take more than a Wharfedale Hoolie to stop us. After a very brief visit to the trig point we headed over the wall and headed down the sheltered (only relative to the other side of the wall) ridge to the war memorial and shortly after turned head on into the afore mentioned Wharfedale Hoolie. The wind eased slightly as we descended but we were happy enough as still no sign of rain. Shortly after a lunch stop we encountered the first inclement weather with a very lively hailstorm giving us some idea of how a building been pebbledashed feels. Thankfully it relented and we continued down.
Having seen the state of the fields around Starbotton we had already concluded that as none of us were in possession of a pair of waders access to the Dalesway path was not about to happen anytime soon so we stayed high for the time being and followed a path back above the valley and shortly afterwards things went downhill….the route went downhill and alas so did the weather.
Nearly back and we could now see a bit of rain approaching so we took shelter behind a wall while it passed……It didn’t!!!. Now like everyone else (I assume) i’ve never walked through a carwash while its operational but I can’t think we’d have got any wetter doing that than we were about to get in the following 25 minutes or so. Our overtrousers however were lovely and dry in our rucksacks. Just then the small matter of crossing Buckden Beck and were were back.
Once back we were in no state to enter any sort of establishment for a hot drink as we were so we changed into the only dry clothing for our legs we had…..Yes you’ve guessed it the overtrousers came out. The Buck Inn provided teas and coffees and despite the wet end to the walk a good day was had by all…..I think.
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