Sunday, 4th October 2009
| Walk: | Mosergh Farm, Whiteside Pike, Todd Fell, Capplebarrow, Ancrow Brow, Bannisdale Head, Long Crag, White Howe, Lamb Pasture, Bannisdale High Bridge | ||
| Start Point: | Grass verge on road off A6 | Grid Ref: | SD 530 999 |
| Distance: | 11 miles | Ascent: | 2,340 feet |
| Weather: | A sunny day with a cold wind on the fell tops | ||
| Accompanied by: |
9 members of our group and 4 members of the Summit Good 20s and 30s Ramblers group for the Cumbria area. |
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| Comments: | With the number of cars that arrived it was fortunate that part of the road, just before the turning to Mosergh Farm, had been widened enough to allow cars space to park. Setting off in the sunshine and with hardly a breath of wind I couldn't believe the difference to the previous day. After visiting the substantial cairn on Whiteside Pike we made our way to the wall separating us from Todd Fell. At this point 4 members of the group opted for the easier route skirting Todd Fell and avoiding climbing two walls and a fence. The first wall was a simple climb as the protruding stones provided foot holds and the stones on the top of the wall have been replaced by flat stone, making this almost a wall stile. Exiting this fell requires navigating a repaired wall with a fence on the top. In fact the fence made it easier to climb over this wall. As this is open access land and there is a clear footpath on both sides of the wall it is difficult to understand the reasoning? From this point the fence is followed most of the way to the high point just after Ancrow Brow before crossing Bannisdale Head to Long Crag. The extensive peat bog was quite easy to navigate but the following marshy area needed quite a detour. After crossing the ladder stile we visited the outlying fell of Long Crag before making our way on to White Howe with its distinctive trig point. Following the path over its twin summit we navigated the steep descent and boggy ground to reach the foot of Lamb Pasture. Here the terrain became rougher underfoot until we were descending to join the farm track. This led us past Thorn Cottage and through fields back to the cars. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Setting out in glorious sunshine . . .
we reach Whiteside Pike . . .
with a well built cairn
Most of the group head for Todd Fell . . .
where a couple of rocks mark the summit . . .
which provides a good view up Longsleddale
Leaving the fell is an interesting exercise
It may be sunny but we soon feel the effects of the wind as we stop for our morning coffee break
At least this gate is accessible!
The fence leads us on . . .
but a detour is needed at the unnamed tarn
Ill Bell is just visible beyond Kentmere Pike, just to the right of centre
John leads the way . . .
from the rock . . .
to the peat bank - which is quite firm
Then it's over ladder stile . . .
to the rocky outcrop of Long Crag
Yet another climb alongside the wall . . .
takes us to White Howe . . .
which sports a trig point
Leaving White Howe's twin summit (1 foot lower than White Howe) . . .
we descend to a ridge that, evidently, has a 'pattern of irrigation channels'
Lamb Pasture, the last summit of the day . . .
provides views to the coast . . .
Lowbridge House in the trees,
and back up the Bannisdale valley
Making our way down to the road past Thorn Cottage . . .
we cross the River Mint on Bannisdale High Bridge
Walking through fields the sun highlights sections of the Howgills . . .
then a short section of road takes us back to the cars