Winter in Swaledale Walk Report
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Winter In Swaledale
We met at Reeth Market Place on Saturday 13th November for our LDWA Monthly Club walk lead by Albert Bowes. 16 of our own Group turned up to support the walks along with three visitors, Ann and Paul from Northumbria Group and Caroline from North Yorkshire.
We set over flooded fields towards Grinton on a cold but bright and sunny morning, perfect walking conditions. We crossed the river at Grinton Bridge then followed the river up stream as far as Stubbin Farm were we climbed the fell to reach a shooters hut, taking in a bit of heather bashing, then onto the mine workings close to the top of the hill.
We were walking into a strong head wind and finding somewhere sheltered for our elevenses proved difficult, however Ronnie came to the rescue when he pointed out a sinkhole in the fell side. The Group sat around in a circle with Ken the centre piece, we had a well deserved break of about 15minutes then set off again before hypothermia set in.
We were making our way to the little hamlet of Crackpot, but were unable to ford the stream, a lot of water and no footbridge! An alternative route was found taking us back to a footpath dropping down to the road, then along the Swale to reach Gunnerside. At this point Ann decided to leave the group and head back to Reeth along the road, so we were down to 18 when we sat down to lunch on the hillside overlooking beautiful Swaledale, then onto the old smelt mill at Surrender Bridge. The next ten minutes proved interesting crossing another swollen beck at Crinkley Bottom however only Dave managed to dip his toes into the water bring a loud cheer from the rest of the group.
Our next destination was Calver Hill - Carol Tom & Lynn decided to go straight back to Reeth along the lower path - Open Access now allows walkers to use the narrow path to the summit of Calver Hill, a shot but stiff climb well worth the effort for the views over Reeth and the Dale below.
We dropped from the fell to the intake wall and followed a faint path to the roadside at Windy Hill Hall avoiding the notoriously wet Skelgate Late to arrive back in Reeth in late afternoon sunshine.
Albert Bowes |
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