Mickle Fell and His Neighbours


Peaceful Cow Green Reservoir

Due to the difficulties with access to Mickle Fell, the MOD permit we had acquired for August proved very popular and we set out with 37 people on this walk.


We had decided to add on Bellbeaver Rigg and Viewing Hill as an additional 2 x 2000 footers, just in case there was not enough challenge in Mickle Fell itself!  So the first five miles involved quite a lot of walking without paths, but it wasn't too strenuous as the climbing was quite limited. 


Once we had got that out of our systems it was full steam ahead to walk down to the River Tees and along to Cow Green Reservoir, and the start of our walk proper.  A few more sensible souls joined us here.


After a relaxing mile or two of track and tarmac we once again were plunged into pathless trods over the hills to reach the rather formiddable  Maize beck. This beck had to be crossed before and after the Mickle Fell ascent so it was no mean feat.  And no dry feet either!


It was interesting to note that every one of us got wet feet on the way over.  But no matter, we squeezed out our socks and ate our butties - yes at the same time, very hygenic - and plodded on to our goal.  But one person, the last to cross, had managed it with dry feet.  So that set the challenge for on the way down.  And with a little rearranging of rocks and pure damned determination nearly all of us managed it dry shod on the way back - which was pointless as we all had wet feet anyway, but you know how pride gets you!.........


We were a bit daunted about the long walk back - until Tony Deal said, well, I've got a car, so if I drive back and take the mini bus driver....  There then followed a logistics exercise that the MOD themselves would have been proud of.  Or almost, because in our enthusiasm to save anyone walking any extra I think we rather over egged it and ended up with a bit of a french farse of all the cars coming back down the road long after all the walkers had been 'evacuated'.  But still, everyone had a lovely day and we hope to get access to other MOD land next year.

Another one safely across
Do My Feet Look Cold in Here?