BB1912 : Return Of The Few………..

........ albeit a different few!

Thursday 4th April 2019

After a varied weather forecast leading up to the day, the eventual weather was surprisingly good. Terry, Martin and Mike T agreed the route, which was decided should to be not too challenging due to recent inactivity. We chose to commence from the National Trust car park on the Coniston side of Yew Tree Tarn and ascended to Tarn Hows, which was as quiet as I have probably seen it. We then walked north, passing a tree where many people had previously spent a penny or two, by hammering them into a fallen tree trunk.

Conversation meant map-reading took second place and we perhaps diverted to Black Cragg slightly sooner than necessary, but a wall was scaled and we were soon on track again.

We had Black Cragg to ourselves, the views providing their usual 360 degree grandeur.

The descent from Black Cragg is over a rather boggy area to its west; however, we soon joined the track and descended to the Skelwith Bridge-Coniston road, which was crossed without incident. The route then took us to Hodge Close, via High Oxen, along the metalled road, where we played a brief game of spot the Belted Galloway Cow.   Can you spot it?

It was commented that we were now close to Tony’s lunchtime, although no texts were sent, but as we had not started too early we decided to take the path down to the tunnel to the flooded quarry (as instructed); again there was no one about but we three. The level of the water wasn’t too high, so we were able to go out to where the old rail cart track projects over the water. After a few critiques of the graffiti we climbed back up to Hodge Close and took lunch.

Rather than continue on the road, we doubled back slightly and took the path through the woods, to the east of the quarry, to the two small disused reservoirs and followed the discernible, again boggy, path that ascends the back of Holme Fell heading towards Ivy Cragg before diverting south and upwards to the summit of the fell and the views it provides down Coniston.

After rather pleasant weather the clouds had grown darker and the breeze rose, but no rain fell.

Mike’s phone was then receiving a signal again, only to find a message from his father in law saying he had been told to go immediately to Lancaster Infirmary by his GP.

A hasty descent was made, off piste, from the east side of Ivy Cragg, through the dead bracken, joining the Uskdale Gap path to Harty Guard Woods, then along Yew Tree Tarn and across the dam wall, to join the path running adjacent to the road, back to Terry's new jalopy.

As Mike wanted to get back, a libation was foregone and he was hurried home to Natland. Messrs Martin and Terry then decided to try Levens Kitchen for a cuppa to end their day.

Mike T, Thursday 4th April 2019

Post Script: RLI decided Mike’s father-in-law’s situation was not as bad as his GP thought and so he was brought home.

From our Iranian Correspondent

In Egligh at 6,800 and second highest in range 14,000. Sorry no name!  No booze in the first week hasn’t caused any issues yet!  Getting accustomed to chicken & rice.  James

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Comitibus:

 Due to inadequate technology we took an alternative group photo; recognise anyone?

 
Map: OS 1:25k

STATISTICS

BB1912 : The Return Of The Few

Date:

Thursday 4th April 2019

Features:

Black Crag, Holme Fell, Hodge Close Quarry

Comitibus:

Martin, Mike T, Terry

Distance in miles (Garmin):

7.8

Height climbed in feet (OMN):

1,827

GPX track

BB1912.gpx

 

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