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Date & Time: Saturday 15th July 2006. 11.15 am start. Location of Start : Hollins Campsite, Boot in Eskdale, Cumbria, Uk. ( NY 178 011 ) Places visited : Boot, Gill Force, Low Birker, Kepple Crag, Great Whernside Crag, Crook Crag, The Pike, Green Crag, and back via Low Birker Tarn, a cool off at Gill Force pool, and a second cool off at Brook House. Walk details : 8.02 mls, 2250 ft of ascent , 5 hrs 30 mins. Walked with : Angela and John, Jo (Hall) and John (Paterson), Ann and the five dogs. Weather : Hot and sunny, good visibility again. A real delight even if a little over warm at times. The Memorial chair in the woodland glade before Low Birker Farm. |
Today we met up with several other members of the Online Fellwalking Club two of whom, Angela and John, we had not met before. They were camping at Hollins Farm in Boot in the Eskdale Valley. This is a delightful site and very centrally located for the western Lakes, so it was an ideal location from where we could walk directly onto the fells without having to drive any further. Taking the unpaved road opposite the terminus of La'al Ratty railway, we crossed the valley past St. Catherine's Church.
Climbing steadily on the path through the Juniper, we get our first view of Scafell, and the other high fells of the area. Click here or on the image above for a fuller valley panorama The ruin of the old Peat House at the top of the path up from Eskdale. Beyond is the valley of the Esk as it makes its way west to the sea. Occasionally we could hear the sounds of the railway as another train signalled its arrival at Dalegarth terminus. Time for a slight diversion from our desired summit of Green Crag. This side of the larger summit of Harter Fell was the minor peak of Kepple Crag.
Huge skies with vapour trails galore as we pause on Kepple for a team photo. Jo, John P, Ann, Angela and John hiding behind. Our route would now take us across to the left end of the rocky skyline and an interesting ascent more or less along its length.
No paths up here and even if there were, they would have been hidden in the bracken. " Hey you lot . . . this way's ok "
Great views across to the Scafells, Esk Pike, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags.
Near the top now, and fine views west over Devoke Water. The Isle of Man was visible but it hasn't shown well in the photo. Harter Fell was possibly on our agenda, but in view of the longer ascent route of Green Crag, and the abnormal heat, we decided not to include it today. The Walna Scar Track climbs between White Pike (with the quarry) and Brown Pike to the left. Its always interesting to see familiar sights from different viewpoints. They were not sunbathing but chatting ! Ann, Jo and the long eared Jodie on Green Crag summit with Black Comb behind and to the left. The reverse photo shortly afterwards found us enjoying those sandwiches of which I talked previously. Green Crag may only be 172 on the list of 214 Wainwright Fells, but it commands a fine view. A hat and the highest point in England. The hat was to provide the only shade up here in the midday sun. Mission accomplished, it was back down and head for the campsite. Below was low Birker Tarn which we had to pass on the way.
The still waters of Low Birker Tarn perfectly reflecting the blue skies above. Back to the valley edge and a view down to the village of Boot above the fields in the centre of the picture. Behind are Whin Rigg and Illgill head, showing their softer southern slopes in the afternoon sun.
There now followed a period of re-hydration at Brook House ! Thanks also to Hollins Farm for their hospitality and use of their car park during the day. Please check out their web site if you want a good family campsite.
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- - - o o o - - - Technical note: Pictures taken with a Canon IXUS 400 Digital camera. Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder. This site best viewed . . . after a swim in a cool Lakeland river. Go to Top # © RmH # Email me here # Go to 2006 Archive Previous walk - 13th July 2006 Castlerigg and the Keswick Railway Path Previous time up here - 6th September 2004 Green Crag and a swim at Doctor's Bridge
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