June
Route
Walk leader | Lance |
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Route | Burnthwaite Farm – Mosedale – Black Sail Pass – Kirk Fell – Beckhead Tarns – Great Gable – Sty Head Pass – Burnthwaite Farm (7 miles, 3480ft ascent). |
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Weather | Magnificent, very light wind, good visibility, mostly bright. Temperature around 18 degrees C. |
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Walkers | Lance, Julie, Sandy, Ron, Carol. |
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Excuses | Ashley - Damaged knee. Bernie - running the Blaydon Race. Evelyn and George - Walking at Wallington before having tea and cake. Olwen - in Wales. |
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Comments |
Carol did not do the walk but went to Muncaster Castle instead. There were stunning views of the Lake District throughout the walk. The ground was very dry due to the continuing drought, although Ron did manage to find the only wet patch about a quarter of a mile into the walk. Fortunately, he had plenty of time to dry out. Walking through Mosedale, we noticed the poor condition of Dorehead Screes due to too many walkers. Lance admitted to having been partially responsible, having descended the scree about thirty years ago. Quick refreshment stop at the top of Black Sail Pass and then on to tackle one of the scrambling gullies up Kirk Fell. Then over Kirk Fell and into the middle of a fell race. A hundred or so runners were doing the Ennerdale Horseshoe, many looking rather knackered although they had only completed just over half the course. Lunch was taken at Beckhead Tarns (the only one of the tarns with any water in it, due to the drought), spectating the fell race. After lunch and on Sandy’s insistence, we made a direct assault on the northwest ridge of Great Gable. The ascent gradually opened up splendid views of Wasdale until we finally made it to the summit plateau, where we were joined by many dozens of folk. A short walk along the plateau took us to Westmorland Cairn, for what is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Lake District. Reminiscences of Ashley Falls in the Langdale Pikes (clearly visible) and other stories of derring-do were told as we absorbed the view. Descent was made to Sty Head Pass and then down Lingmell Beck and back to Burnthwaite Farm B&B, but not before trying and failing to re-unite a lost lamb with its mum. Four grown adults outsmarted by one little lamb! Wildlife/Flora/Animals: Almost a complete absence of midges due to the drought (which we celebrated). Very large and inquisitive beetles were to be found everywhere on the summit of Great Gable – one even bit Sandy. Spring flowers were abundant. Swallows and martins were very busy. |
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Meal | ||||
Wasdale Head Inn, very busy. We all had the same meal: pancetta wrapped monkfish on a bed of leafy vegetables and fried potato, followedby white chocolate and pine-nut tart. Nice food, friendly and efficient service although it was unfortunate that Carol had to send her fish back to be cooked properly. An excellent range of real ales available. |
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Photo Gallery |
Walkers and Friends
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Walking the valley |
Mosdale and Dale Head screes |
Water stop at Black Sail |
Starting the gully |
Into the Kirk Fell gully |
Relief at the gully top
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Kirk Fell
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Ascent of Great Gable |
Summit of Great Gable |
Stony descent
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At Westmorland Cairn
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Perched high
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View from Westmorland Cairn
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Memories of great days
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Grass, rock and stream |