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Lat/Long: 54.3995570, -2.3355470
OS Grid Ref: NY 78313 00506
I have returned to Mallerstang to explore the west side of the
valley. I had an easy drive north along the M6 and off at Tebay
and then to Kirkby Stephen by the same route as last week. At
Nateby I continued south on the B6259 then parked at Thrang
Beck, the same spot as last week. The two yellow cars were still
in the parking area but the notices in the back windows had been
scraped off. It was very gloomy but quite mild as I set off
south along the road. I was surprised how busy it was,
especially with builders' vans. The only person I saw all day
was a woman walking her two dogs along the road. I continued for
2 or 3 miles steadily up to Aisgill Bridge crossing the Settle -
Carlisle railway line. |
Water-Cut by Mary Bourne on the hillside. |
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My objective was Wild Boar Fell and after crossing the bridge I
turned right through a gate to head north west across the open
moors. There is no path shown on the map but I could see a faint
track through the rough ground. It was quite wet and boggy in
places but eventually I reached a fence line with a fairly new
gate and stile indicating it is a footpath but not public. Just
over I had to cross Ais Gill which was a very deep valley and a
steep climb down. There wasn't much water in the river so
crossing was not a problem. |
Ais Gill |
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Up the far side the wet ground became quite extensive and I had
to make a few detours. There had also been quite a bit of Rowan
tree planting with protective plastic tubes. I could see the
tall stone cairns along High White Scar up a head. My first
objective was a small tarnn just below the Scar but as it is
much higher I couldn't see it yet. The climb became steeper and
when I reached an outcrop of boulders a sharp climb followed
which took me to the water's edge. I was very disappointed with
what I found. |
Planting Rowan trees (Mountain Ash) |
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I was hoping for a clear mountain tarn but it wasn't much more
than a muddy ditch. I’d hoped it would be a good future camping
spot but with no water supply and no phone signal it wouldn't be
suitable. I walked around the far side to find some boulders
where I could shelter from the wind and eat my lunch . I then
climbed a steady ridge up to High White Scar where the ground
levelled off. |
The dissapointing tarn. |
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I passed several cairns on my way to a fence and a shelter wall
. I was now on Yoadcomb Scar. I could see the trig post on Wild
Boar Fell due north west in the distance. The path there was
fairly distinctive but with quite a few wet areas on the way. |
Tall cairns. |
The trig post was surrounded by a circular stone wall and
the post itself looked as if it had been refurbished recently
and a concrete rectangle cast on the top. When I got home I
checked my records for my last visit which was 23rd May 2012
when the trig post and surrounding wall were in a sorry state.
The wind seemed to be coming from the southwest so I set off
northeast towards the Nab across level ground. |
Refurbished trig post. |
Wild Boar Fell trig post and surrounding wall after
refurbishment. |
The same view on my last visit in May
2012. |
Before turning left and starting the steep descent of
Scriddles I stopped for a look across Mallerstang Common but
unfortunately it was still quite hazy. |
Looking down into Mallerstang. |
Looking back to Wild Boar Fell. |
Looking down to Outhgill. |
Settle - Carlisle railway line. |
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The descent down the ridge became easier and I was walking on a
pleasant grassy route for the last stretch to High Dolphinsty
and a gate. The gate wasn't my route and I turned sharp right to
follow a distinctive and ancient track descending to the east.
As the gradient eased the path vanished completely but marker
posts got me on the right track until a defined track appeared
lower down. Passing some substantial ruins at Turner Hay Hill I
turn left to follow the track under the Railway. |
Under the railway. |
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Descending further I reached a property called Larkhill where I
headed north through a field of deep wet grass and over a wall.
Then through more wet fields to the buildings at Deep Gill. Some
extensive rebuilding and construction work had been done on the
main barn and it is being converted into a new dwelling. Walking
around the building I descended to the farm access track which
was unsurfaced. I followed it down to Thrang Bridge. The bridge
crosses the River Eden andis quite interesting as the parapet on
the southside was completely missing. |
Deep Gill barn conversion. |
Thrang Bridge. |
Limekiln by the River Eden. |
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It didn't look as though a parapet had ever been there. I
crossed to the far bank and walked to an old lime kiln for a
look and then climbed back up to the track and through a gate
and onto the main road. Just across I was back at my car. |
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