Austwick - Tues. 4 March 14 

9 walkers set off from Austwick in the kind of drizzle that makes it difficult to decide whether or not it’s worth putting on waterproofs. The first stretch uphill to Norber via Nappa Scar was quite warm for those wearing them, but although the rain stopped, there was a stiff breeze so we soon cooled down again. We were treated to a concise explanation of Norber’s wonderfully erratic boulders by Chris before continuing to a coffee break by the shooting hut on the Horton to Ingleborough (3 peaks) track. The next stage followed the Ingleborough track as far as the stiles below Simon Fell, where we turned north and uphill to the viewpoint at Lord’s Seat and then on to Simon Fell summit, via a strange fenced-in path with a dead end.  A pleasant stroll along the ridge to Park Fell, followed by a steepish descent led to a lunch stop on limestone rocks near Colt Park.

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Field paths led to the road near Selside and then to the bridleway on to Thieves Moss, where we followed the limestone edge past beggar’s stile, around Moughton Scar and up onto the trig point on Moughton, all in sunshine. Finally, we descended to the hamlet of Wharfe via the stile on Studrigg Scar before returning to Austwick along Wood Lane track. At a little over 17 miles, it was an excellent walk, expertly led by Chris. The only disappointment was a relative lack of the kind of mud to which we’ve become so used to. Thanks Chris.

Sue.