Wild Boar Fell Walk
Sat.21st April 2012 – Wild boar Fell
At 9.00am 15 brave souls emerged at the Fat Lamb despite recent days of heavy rain and low cloud on high fells with forecasts of this to continue. An available option of a shorter lower level route was outvoted.
A brisk start over fields and track soon brought us onto Wild Boar Fell. Still under the cloud we were not deprived of good views over into Mallerstang below. Visibility deteriorated as we continued round to Swarth Fell where a short break was taken on the summit cairns with cloud drifting in and out. On continuing the rain started and John and Lesley bid us farewell, a short cut back was necessary to make a later engagement. The remainder soldiered on down into the little frequented valley of Grisedale then along over the watershed and down into Uldale, water flowing under foot and over head. Visibility however, remained good and the rain eventually ceased prompting time for a lunch break. Amazingly the cloud broke up giving way to patches of blue which brightened our surroundings and spirit.
On reaching the road past Uldale House two people said they had developed trench foot and opted to continue back to the car by the road. Emerging through a small wood, down at the bridge, photographs of the attractive waterfalls seemed apt, before climbing out the valley on a good path over open moor then dropping down to the road at Rawthey bridge. A short road stretch ensued before crossing open moor to a usually dry river bed then up onto the limestone pavement of Stennerskeugh Clouds with good views across to the Howgills before descending to field paths and our cars by 3.45pm.
Alls well that ends well thanks to much better weather than forecast and to those who persuaded me to stick to the original route.
Carol Stather – Walk Leader
Photographs by Dave & Bob Firth
