The weather forecast was for a clear morning. Before sunrise the sky was partly clear and I had a good view of the stars in places. I delayed my start in the hope that I’d get some good views but the clouds rolled in and as it came light the snow started to blow in as well. It was a bit difficult getting the Vango Helium tent down as the main pole had frozen into the tent sleeve. When I got it out the poles had frozen together so that took a bit of undoing as well.

Wintery camp on Ward's Stone

Ward's Stone sunrise

Trig point on Ward's Stone SW.
Cumbria in the distance

As I set off a short time after 9am the sky cleared a bit and I was able to see the surrounding hills. I checked out the view from the Ward’s Stone SW trig point and instead of taking the main path west decided to head SW towards the track which is shown on the map.

Luncheon Hut

IIt was a fairly easy descent and much drier than the main path across Cabin Flat. I reached the track and set off for some easy walking for about a mile to Grizedale Head to check out the ‘Luncheon Huts’ shown on the map. I hadn’t been going long when a land rover came up from behind. I got a half wave from the driver as he passed but he didn’t stop. The track had a light dusting of snow so I had to be careful on the steepish sections. I reached the ‘Luncheon Huts’ to find it was the Luncheon Hut, singular. A single roofed shelter which was open on two sides. It would have been a good place to camp inside as I wouldn’t have had problems with the stove fumes.

I followed the vehicle track upwards to the north. It was a steady climb but soon flattened off at Cabin Flat. This was my last day and I was heading for Caton to catch the bus. I’d had enough of wading through bogs so decided to stick to the track as long as possible. It was snowing as I started my descent to the NW and in the distance I saw a couple of runners approaching. When they got near enough I recognised one as Phil Macluskie who used to work for the same company as me many years ago. He stopped for a brief chat but didn’t remember my name so I had to remind him. Approaching Cragg Wood I took a path to the right and followed it east along the hill side. At Sweet Beck I turned left across some wet ground and followed an old track into green fields at Skelbow Barn. At the far end of the fields a length of dry stone wall was being re-built but nobody was there at the time.

Rebuilding a dry stone wall near The Cragg

Journey's end.
The Black Bull Inn, Brookhouse, Caton.

Up the track I joined Littledale Road where I turned right to descend down to the bridge at Artle Beck. At New House Farm I crossed over to follow the rough track over the hill to rejoin Littledale Road where I descended into Brookhouse and the bus stop by the Black Bull Inn. I didn’t have long to wait for the 80 bus which took me in to Lancaster. The Preston bus was just about to leave so I caught it.