| Walk: | Peathill Crag, Harter Fell , Green Crag, Fickle Crag | ||
| Start Point: | Birks Bridge car park, Duddon Valley | Grid Reference: | SD 235 995 |
| Distance: | 9.2 miles | Ascent: | 3,333 feet |
| Time: | 6 hrs | ||
| Weather: | Very heavy rain and strong winds AM – patchy sunshine and wind PM. Poor visibility most of the day | ||
| Comments: | Despite the uninspiring weather forecast
of “severe summer weather”, ten walkers set out to test their
waterproofs. The riverside path was already very boggy as we made
our way along the Duddon towards Cockley Beck before turning at
Black Hall farm and starting the climb towards Peathill Crag.
Elevenses were taken at Peathill Crag, after which we entered the
cloud and proceeded up Harter Fell. The rain and wind had increased
in intensity as we reached the summit where we paused briefly to
take a group photo at the trig point before quickly making our way
down the Western side to reach the shelter of the woods for lunch.
However, by the time lunch was over the cloud had lifted slightly and the rain had almost stopped as we headed for Green Crag. Making our way carefully across the trackless bog that separates Harter Fell and Green Crag we reached Green Crag in time to see some of the views we were missing due to a few breaks in the clouds. The skies had brightened as we reached Grassguards Gill and we were even treated to some sunshine. The gill had swollen considerably due to the rain which had also created some extremely muddy sections of the path (ensuring that the leader's reputation for leading muddy walks remained unchallenged!). Descending past Fickle Crag we eventually joined the River Duddon for the final leg of the route back to the car park at Birks Bridge. The path had to be treated with respect due to the amount of slippery rocks and tree roots but all made it back unscathed. Thanks to those dedicated walkers who turned out and |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Smiles all round for a group shot in the car park
Castle Howe looks drab today
Brollies are the order of the day as we climb towards Peathill Crag . . .
which looms out of the mist . . .
as we stop for elevenses
A rather misty group shot on Harter Fell . . .
and I think the weather is showing signs of improving as we finish our lunch in the shelter of the forest
Karen finds that 'bog-trotting' can be fun . . .
as we head for drier ground . . .
but looking back Harter Fell is still in cloud
Pausing before the climb to Green Crag - the nature of the ground is quite visible!
Karen and Ian claim another Wainwright on Green Crag . . .
and the mist lifts briefly . . .
to give us tantalizing views . . .
before we prepare to continue on our way
Typically, once we have left the summit the mist clears . . .
and we are treated to views across Eskdale to Blea Tarn
Heading down to Grassguards Gill . . .
we can see that the mist has finally cleared from Harter Fell
We are inundated with sounds of rushing water as we make our way down Grassguards Gill
A brief stop for a nibble - that's the insects eating us!!!!
Phil captures a brilliant shot of a rather bedraggled looking young chaffinch
Are we going over the stepping stones?
Thankfully not!!!
Lots more water in Wet Gill . . .
where Phil tries not to get wet feet (if they are not wet already) . . .
and Eric follows suit
The Froth Pot at Birks Bridge . . .
where the group enjoys the views . . .
and someone spots an elephant's trunk