Staveley, Aug 6th


Leaders:     Doreen & Gareth

No on walk: 19 plus 1 dog

Weather:    Light rain then heavy rain then torrential rain!

Distance:    14.5 miles

We set off on light rain and ascended our first Wainright Outlying Fell, namely Reston Scar, but it wasn’t long before the weather started to make itself  felt and overtrousers were the order of the day before we reached the top of Hugill Fell, our second Outlier. Coming down steeply from there we had an easier section through Elf Howe to take the track leading across Green Quarter Fell above Skeggles Water.

The rain was becoming heavier and the ground more waterlogged as we made our way towards Sadgill. What should have been superb views of the hills above Longsleddale were shrouded in mist and rain and as we walked through one of the streams, which are normally just a short step, it became apparent that we would not be able to take the high level route on the way back as this crossed two fords with stepping stones so plan B, a lower level route, was put into operation.

We watched a four wheeled drive struggling to get up the bridleway and as we climbed the rain started with a real vengeance, coming down in stair rods, as we sought shelter of some kind for our lunch stop. The best we could find was a group of trees covering an old wall and this would have to do.

After lunch we dropped to Kentmere hamlet passing ,the church en route, to take the lower path opposite Kentmere Hall. After 150yards this crosses a small ford but not today! The usually narrow bit of water was a wide raging torrent and it was obvious to all that there was no way we could safely get across. So plan C was the way we would have to return. Back tracking to Kentmere church and then the 4.5 mile road walk back to our cars meant that we all got back safely and, sod’s law being what it is, the sun came out and we ended up finishing earlier than planned with the distance still the same.

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