AGM Walk 12th October 2025
Led by Andy
Nine members and one guest assembled at Little Strickland for a 09-00 departure on what was forecast to be a sunny day, but it was still foggy on our departure.
Minor roads, tracks and field paths brought us to Morland where it was still foggy and no sign of the sun! Newby followed then one and a half miles to Sleagill where we had a break at the swing park. Too late for the pub it closed in 1942/43!
Between Sleagill and Threaplands farm electric fences surrounded the stiles which were in good order until the one just before the stepping stones it had some rungs missing and a handrail broken, definitely needing repaired or replacement, preferably the latter!
Onward and up to Threaplands farm, not able to see it until we arrived at it due to the everlasting fog, where is the sun that was forecast?
Headed towards Oddendale passed the highest point of the walk, then picked up the Coast to Coast route as far as the entrance to Shap Quarry (now disused) where we had our second break still in the fog! At this point we were very close to the M6 but even though we could hear the traffic we could not see it.
From here we went over the Nab and visited the six cairns (photo) then to road and along it to Hardendale, from here field paths via Castlehowe to Great Plantation wood the route through the wood indicated by red topped posts.
On exiting the wood the route differs from what is shown on the OS map, instead of heading north towards Wintertarn farm we headed NE in the fog towards the field corner and the finger post which was not a new one and may have been transplanted from its original location at the farm.
This just left approx a two mile walk along the quiet minor road back to Little Strickland and the cars at 16-00, only as we were approaching the end did we see a bit of sun! The length of the walk was 16-3 miles and unfortunately we never got any views, but on the plus side it tested the navigational skills!
