Sunday, 23rd September 2012

Walk: Barf, Lord's Seat, Broom Fell, Graystones, Ling Fell, Sale Fell
Start Point: Woodend Brow car park Grid Ref: NY 218 276
Distance: 11.3 miles Ascent: 3,530 feet
Time: 5.75 hours    
Weather: A fine day with excellent visibility. A chilly breeze on exposed summits.
Comments: A small, but select group of five attended for this outing to the North Western fells. After a short stretch of road walking, we paid a visit to the "clerk", before crossing Beckstones Gill to join the steep forest trail to Barf. From the summit cairn we enjoyed excellent views of Bassenthwaite, and the Solway Firth, before continuing on to Lord's Seat, the highest point of the day. Leaving Lord's Seat, we followed the grassy ridge to Broom Fell and Graystones. To reach our next top, Ling Fell, Wythop Moss had to be crossed. However, this proved to be easier than expected, although Ian did manage to fill one boot with water! Then, it was downhill all the way to Brumston Bridge, before the final climb of the day to Sale Fell. After a short pause to admire the views, and attempt some trick photography, a descent through Wythop Woods took us back to the cars.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

We visited The Clerk . . .

 

before passing The Bishop where, according to local legend, the Bishop of Derry was killed
falling from his horse in 1783 after drunkenly betting he could ride up the hill

 

Ascending Beckstones Gill . . .

 

with views back down the Gill

 

Bassenthwaite from the climb to . . .

 

Barf

 

An iron pole marks the summit of Lord's Seat with Skiddaw in the distance

 

One of the few stiles on this walk

 

Ray takes it easy on Broom Fell . . .

 

where there is a shelter and good views over the North-western Fells

 

Graystones

 

No guessing which way the wind blows as we cross . . .

 

Wythop Moss and Ian finds . . .

 

the 'Boggy Bit'

 

Scotland can be seen from the climb to . . .

 

Ling Fell

 

John checks out a memorial seat . . .

 

as we follow a pleasant green path on the flanks of Sale Fell

 

Ian spots a couple of photo opportunities . . .

 

as we cross the ridge to . . .

 

Sale Fell

 

What is Ian trying to get hold of?

 

It's the summit cairn!

 

Leaving Sale Fell on the final stretch back to the cars

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