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BB2413
: Was it to be an "IN" "ERT"
walk or not?
Thursday
11th April 2014
Conceived a week prior it had been the intention to climb
Ingleborough from Clapham on Wednesday, led by Rob’in’ who was taking his young
grandson on an adventure. Meticulous plans had been made and the BOOTboys support
group, which included Rob’ert’, were all prepared.
Unfortunately, the weather on Wednesday decided not to
cooperate and plans were hastily rearranged. Sadly we could not have the
company of Robin’s grandson and due to communication issues we were unclear as
to which of the Robs, ‘in’ or ‘ert’ might be able to join. Circumstances also
conspired against Don’s participation and for several legitimate reasons his
pass-out was revoked. The weather forecasts suggested an improving day and thus
Rob’in’, Rob’ert’ and Martin agreed to meet at 9.30 near Clapham St James’
Church.
Recent outings have seen a café pre-walk coffee becoming
more commonplace and we were prepared to indulge at The Sawmill café at the start
of the walk – but it was closed. Undeterred we paid our £2.50 per head to walk
through the Farrer Estate alongside Clapham Beck, heading gently upwards.
Robin, who had briefly lived in Clapham, explained some of the history and of
particular note was the technique employed by one of the early Farrer family to
randomise the placing of tree and shrub seeds in the early planting around
their ornamental lake. This involve putting the seeds into shotgun cartridges
and firing them off on the slopes to be planted!
We started to feel the promised warmth of a spring day as we
passed the entrance to Ingleborough Cave, heading up the sheltered valley
towards Trow Gill.
Perhaps the forecast was right. A scramble up the wet and
slippery stones of the Gill saw us emerge onto the open land heading towards
the stile leading past Gaping Ghyll and onwards towards our target.
We observed
that not only was Ingleborough shrouded in fast moving cloud but also lower
Little Ingleborough was similarly hidden. Not to worry, the forecasts and a
Yorkshire Dales National Park volunteer who was clearing obstructed drainage
leats across the path promised improving conditions. The skylarks were singing
but it was getting cooler and layers which had been shed in the valley were
replaced, together with gloves and hats.
Onwards and upwards, along the heavily re-engineered trail
and into the mist, or was it drizzle? There was little to see as we trudged up
the man-made steps. Walkers on their descent looked windswept and bedraggled
and commented on the inhospitable conditions ahead. Some even said it was
dangerous! Eventually the trig point and summit shelter appeared out of the
gloom. Visibility in the, now, rain and biting gusty wind was down to an
optimistic 50m or so.
We were faced with a couple of dilemmas – where to take
lunch in this exposed terrain and which route back should we follow? The first
was solved by finding the three remaining sheltered seats in the X shelter. Our
neighbours were tucking into pork pies washed down by gin and tonic. It was
cold and wet so we hastily devoured our lunch and gave our seats to new
arrivals – being still the school holidays there were more than usual numbers
of kids, often woefully under equipped for the conditions. One little lad of
4 years, well dressed, proudly told us it was his 4th mountain climb.
Decision made, we sought to retrace our upward route with
Robert expressing disappointment that he had wanted his first ascent of
Ingleborough to be memorable for the views, not the lack of them.
We were
quickly back below the clouds and enjoying the open, and almost sunny, views
towards Pendle Hill.....
and Pen-y-ghent.
Whilst taking in the view of the entrance
to Gaping Ghyll.....
..... we looked back, and for a moment the Ingleborough summit was
clear. A quick vote established that the pull of a pint was now greater than
the wish to go back to the top!
Rather than slide our way down Trow Gill we traversed to the
head of Long Lane which we followed under Robin Proctor Crags and back through
the tunnels to our cars in Clapham. Robin suggested an ‘in’’ert’ pint to
complete the day at The Old Manor House and so enjoyable was it that we stayed
a little longer.
Martin,
11th April 2024
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