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OS Grid ref: NY 31629 24994
Lat/Long: 54.615451, -3.060231
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Torrential rain on the M6 motorway between Lancaster and Shap
was grim driving but cleared after that. I reached the same
layby as last week near Threlkeld and got there before the
crowds arrived. I set off into Threlkeld and turned right at the
Church to head across the fields to cross the A66 and more
fields to Mill Bridge. I crossed the bridge and followed the
road up over the railway route and on to ‘Newsham’ where the
road ends. There is an indistinct path continuing up the
fellside to a gate. Turning left is a path heading up to the Old
Coach Road but I headed straight through to find a minor path to
the SW.
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Looking towards Blencathra. |
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I climbed up to a flat area where I found my first objective of
some ancient walls, huts and enclosures. Some walls were quite
thick though now only at ground level. I couldn't find much
on-line and they seem to be Bronze age huts (2000-700bc). There
was a large boulder with a pool of what looked like stagnant
water. An old map shows it as a spring. I saw a quad bike track
heading up the hillside and followed it. After a while it faded
to a sheep track but took me easily up to the Old Coach Road. |
Ancient walls. |
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At the high poi |
Ancient walls |
The disscoloured pring is shown an old OS
map |
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I I turned left then as far as the fence at Hausewell Brow.
There is a steep path from here up to the summit of Clough Head.
I came down it a few weeks ago and commented how difficult a
descent it was. I usually find steep trails like this aren't too
bad when climbing them. I set a steady pace and found it OK. The
weather had improved a bit and I had good views. There was
nobody around but I could see people coming up from White Pike. |
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Clough Head trig post. |
View from the descent. |
Looking down on the paraglider taking off. |
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I didn’t stop at the summit trig post but continued over the top
to descend towards Bennesty Knotts. The path turns round to the
right to descend a diagonal route down Red Screes. Its not too
steep and wasn’t a problem. Below I could see a paraglider
sorting his parachute then launching himself into space. When I
approached the spot where he’s taken off there was another man
setting out his equipment. We chatted a while then he also
launched himself into space. |
Paraglider prepares his equipment. |
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They were soon high up at the level of Clough head. As I
descended towards Wanthwaite I saw a few walkers coming up then
once back on the Old Coach Road I met a man also walking up but
he stopped to chat for a while. He was a friend of one of the
paragliders and said he would be picking him up once he’s
landed. |
The 2 paragliders. |
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I reached the B5322, turned right to head north and continued to
the A66. After turning left and following the grass verge I took
a path over a stile and up to the road just above my car. |
The earlier empty parking area is now full. |
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