We set off from Horton-in-Ribblesdale on the Pennine Way, leaving it at High Birkwith Moor to follow the track through the various Green Field moors and forestry estate.  At Green Field itself we first sighted Green Field Beck below us and continued to keep it in view it all the way to Beckermonds - a very small, pretty hamlet at the western end of Langstrothdale.  Here Green Field Beck is joined from the North by Oughtershaw Beck - we'd made it to the Source of the Wharfe!  It's worth mentioning that when this walk was recced a few weeks earlier both becks contained some water - but nothing like the fast flowing volumes we were now witnessing!  See the additional recce photos below.

From Beckermonds we followed the Dales Way alongside the Wharfe to Yockenthwaite - the site of the farm and post box now familiar from the TV series "All Creatures Great and Small".

Leaving Yockenthwaite we followed A Pennine Journey climbing Horse Head before dropping down to Halton Gill - a long ascent at the best of times and certainly impeded by the now considerable headwinds.  At Foxup we found shelter from the wind and took a late lunch.  Continuing on A Pennine Journey we then ascended to Foxup Moor, skirting first around Plover Hill and then Horton Moor skirting around Pen-y-Ghent.  A short detour took us to Hull Pot, a large and impressive collapsed cavern - before our return to Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

Despite the wet and very blustery conditions we were grateful to have missed the previous day's deluge - and the leader relieved that the various fords we encountered remained traversable!  It was also great to welcome an existing member on her first social walk with us.

Photos by Robert Cope

Recce Photos by Robert Cope