2015 05 16 In Search of Wild Boar


On arrival Dave warned us all that today was to be a tough walk. He wasn't wrong.

From Rawthey Bridge a short valley walk to Needle House from where we entered access land and zig zagged our way up the fellside to the summit of Wild Boar Fell. Time for a brief break in a summit shelter and take in the stunning views of the Howgills to the West and Mallerstang Edge to the East. On a good path now we descend to High Dolphinsty and on to Little Fell. Descent to Pendragon Castle, once owned by Lady Anne Clifford (access no longer allowed).

Now came the hardest climb of the day (lunch before we climb? No thanks) Up we went over rough ground always heading North Easterly to reach a sheepfold where lunch was taken out of the howling wind. From here a gentle climb on a good path to High Pike Hill and High Seat with the Yorkshire Dales laid out before us (Great Shunner, Great Knoutberry, Baugh Fell and in the distance Whernside and Ingleborough). We continued our high level walk to bag the top of Gregory Chapel (or is it Archy Styrigg?). So far we had bagged four 2000 footers.

Dave announce that our climbing for the day now done and the rest of the walk would be in the valleys. Descent to Hell Gill Beck, across Lady Anne's way to Shaw Paddock. The final miles followed a very wet footpath (sometimes visible, sometimes not) over mossy ground between Baugh Fell and Swarth Pike, arriving back at the cars just before 6.30pm. 24 miles with 5250ft of ascent.

A great day out.

John