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Whittle Wander|
Mallerstang, Black Fell Moss, source of river Eden, Cumbria. Thu 12 Jan 2006 |
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I arrived in Mallerstang by the narrow lane that passes Pendragon Castle. In less than a mile I reached the small settlement of Outhgill and parked my car by the telephone box. Although I'd passed this spot three years ago on my bike it's the first time I've walked in the valley. I only had a vague idea which way I was going to take on to the fell tops so decided to follow the indistinct track by Outhgill beck and see how things went. |
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| I was heading roughly east towards the High Seat area. Fairly steep rock escarpments were up ahead but some grassy areas seemed to have a way through. Below one escarpment I saw some old spoil heaps and decided to investigate. A large landslip had washed some areas away but old ruins indicated mine workings. On further inspection a stone portal to an old adit came into view. The entrance was open and only partly flooded. I left the ruins and followed the contour north to where I found a way up the steep side of Mallerstang Edge. Once up the steep bit the gradient eased and I found myself on peat hags, but not too wet. Unfortunately I was now in cloud and all the views were lost. | |
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I found a track that lead to a cairn at Gregory Chapel (not a chapel) but then the way ahead became very indistinct in the mist. I was following a compass bearing but didn't seem to getting anywhere. I was wandering through deep peat hags across Black Fell Moss in nil visibility. The name was very apt. Eventually I found the fence boundary that took me to the cairn at Hugh Seat. It was quite substantial with dressed stones forming the base. I then descended to the west into a valley area which forms the source of the river Eden. |
| Then I came out of cloud and could see Mallerstang below. At the Green lane I had a look at the interesting 'Water Cut' sculpture by Mary Bourne. Then an easy wander down the lane and I met the road where I returned to Outhgill. Before the car I had a quick look at the small Chapel of St Mary, which was refurbished by Lady Anne Clifford in 1663 after being left in ruins for over 50 years. |
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