THRELKELD 6th July 2025
The weather forecast for the day was certainly mixed, and on the way up the motorway it looked even more grim at times. As the last of the groups got off the coach light rain fell and the waterproofs went on for the first and not the last time.
After leaving the coach at Troutbeck, the Oldham’s group
made their way across a series of fields to Mungrisdale. This was meant to be
the ideal warm-up before the climb up Souther Fell. However the overgrown
fields and the continuous stream of broken stiles created an obstacle course
which no one expected. Thankfully the paths on the fells were much more
favourable and the climb up Souther Fell went without a hitch. The views from the top were stunning,
reminding everyone of why they love fell walking so much! At the base of Sharp
Edge, three of the party decided they were going to tackle the ridge whilst the
other five opted for the easier path up the valley. Unfortunately as height was
gained, the cloud set in and the rain came down with force. Due to a wrong turn
on Sharp Edge, the climb became more technical than expected but with the help
of a passer-by, the 3 members made it to the top of Blencathra where the rest
of the party were waiting. Half way down the mountain, the clouds vanished, the
views returned and as they dried off in the sunshine, reflections on the day were
the topics of conversation all the way to the pub.
Geoff’s group consisting of just the three, made good
time and completed the route as planned.
Setting off to walk along the Glendermakin valley they came
across a sign warning of dangerous erosion of the path. As they got to the area
there was a diversion cut through the bracken, and all was well until Darren
sunk about 3ft into a bog!
They thought about doing Sharp Edge but decided against it
as the rain had started and most of it was shrouded in cloud.
They were back after an enjoyable walk at the bus by 3 15pm.
There were just four walkers in Pat’s group who started
their walk from Threlkeld. It was
damp as they made their way to Low Rigg but brightened up into a
reasonable day. Then it was down to St John’s in the Vale church. There they
had lunch in the porch after the Vicar had kindly given them permission
(although they had decided to lunch there anyway regardless)!! Then they made their
way across fields to the A591 and took the path to Castlerigg Stone Circle. It
was misty but, as a result, quite atmospheric. They then made their way down
quiet lanes via the tunnel under the A55 to the railway path and back to
Threlkeld. Unfortunately the tea room had just closed so they were ‘forced’ to
visit the Sally!!
They were all tired but had a really enjoyable walk.
Paul’s group set off from Threlkeld and once clear of
Gategill, began quite a gruelling and unrelenting ascent up Doddick Fell. It
was one of those days where with waterproofs on it was too warm, but taking them
off guaranteed another light shower. Lunch was taken at the top of Doddick Fell
with gorgeous views, resting before the final push for Blencathra. As they set
off for the summit, the rain came down again and once up there the views had
disappeared!! They reappeared on the descent and what views they were, with
fleeting glimpses of Keswick, Cat Bells and Maiden Moor in between the passing
cloud and distant showers. It was a great walk with no incidents to report.
Stu’s walk with John followed the route described on the card, and was originally 15 miles. However, the section from Penruddock to Little Mell Fell involved some quite overgrown and little used footpaths, which meant a bit of head scratching and thrashing of weeds and long grass etc!
Climbing Little Mell Fell also involved bashing through
banks of thick bracken.
Descending, they encountered very dense banks of gorse which,
although quite pretty with its yellow flowers, was completely impassable and
required a tedious diversion to regain the intended path.
Next came some very boggy fields, again requiring slow and
careful navigation, before reaching Great Mell Fell. After that, yet more
underused and very muddy, waterlogged footpaths and bridleways followed. All
this had by now added at least one more mile to the intended fifteen.
Beyond the tiny hamlet at Matterdale End, the going improved
tremendously, allowing more rapid progress.
After a ten-minute stop, to attempt extrication of a ewe
which had become entangled in a wire fence, they had to give up as the
only result was a cut to Stuart’s finger!
Fortunately they encountered a farmer driving his van, who
said he would go and rescue the ewe.
If only he’d had a pair of wire cutters in his rucksack!!!
The remainder of the walk went smoothly, and Threlkeld was
reached with 40 minutes to spare, allowing for welcome refreshments.
A piece of advice to members from Stuart - leave Little and
Great Mell Fells alone, unless you are intent on bagging Wainwright's.
Although pleasant little summits, the access to and from are
probably not worth the effort!
Steve Jackson on his walk found that the mist was
thick for much of the day across the Skiddaw range, and provided few worthwhile
opportunities for photos.
His first two photos are of Lonscale Fell east peak, with
the next two being on the way back from Roughton Gill - one looking at the East
peak of Lonscale Fell in the Glenderraterra Valley.
Ascent of Lonscale Fell, was via the Guide Stone and up on
mostly trackless rough ground; he had to contend with tussocks then steeper
ground and just grass, in order to reach the east peak first, then the main
top. Across Jenkin Hill he went before arriving at the main Skiddaw path, as he
wanted to watch the Skiddaw fell race organised by Keswick Athletic Club, and
which he’d helped marshal on a few occasions in the past.
The course records for the 9.6 mile and 3,150 feet of ascent
are almost impregnable, being held since the 1980s - men, Kenny Stuart 1-02:18
in 1985 and ladies, Sarah Rowell 1.13.29 in 1989.
The runners were well strung out by the time they got to the
gate under Little Man.
Walking up on the main path to Skiddaw, as runners continued
their ascents, it soon became misty and windier with visibility increasingly
poor. His descent was via Sale How, and on reaching the top, out of the mist,
light rain became much heavier and wind driven. Most unpleasant! With the rain
easing, the return to Threlkeld was back down the Glenderraterra with not
another person seen. 13 miles in the end.
Next Walks:
Sunday 20th July 2025 – Shap via A6
5.30 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A590, A6 through Kendal and on to Shap. Park in Shap. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.
Sunday 3rd August 2025 – Coniston via Ambleside
5.30 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A590/A591 past Windermere to Ambleside, A593 to Coniston. Park in Coniston. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.
Sunday 17th August 2025 - Ilkley
5.30 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, on to the M65, M65
eastbound to junction 7, via A6185/A678 to the A680, A671 to roundabout N of
Whalley, A59 to past Skipton, A65 to Ilkley. Park in Ilkley. Morning coffee
stop at Darwen services, M65.
Comments
Post a Comment