April 14th Strenuous

Sunday, 14th April 2013

Walk:	Harter Fell
Start Point:	Birks Bridge car park	Grid Reference:	SD 235 995
Distance:	7 miles	Ascent:	1,300 feet
Time:	5.5 hours
Weather:	Rain , heavy at times with strong winds at summit, improved after lunch becoming dry and mild. Visibility poor on summit
Comments:	Six mad ramblers joined the leader on today's expedition. Given the weather conditions and poor forecast the planned route may need to change but let's go anyway. Our first target was Harter Fell which was ascended from the south side, a climb made more difficult by the rain and strong winds as we neared the summit. Visibility was poor and having navigated to the top our leader got a bit lost walking round the summit area. Finally a recognisable landmark was found in the form of a broken wall which allowed the group to follow a safe route off the fell. Brief discussion after assessing the wet ground conditions and poor visibility which would be encountered if we sought a route to Green Crag determined that this would be abandoned and we picked up the route down Grass Guards Gill. After a brief lunch our route was diverted whilst swollen gills were crossed and off route tracks were made through the edge of the plantations. Following Grass Guards Gill to the confluence with River Duddon the 'Fickle Steps' Stepping stone crossing was as expected underwater and un-passable in the flood conditions. We followed the river bank path back to Birks crossing Wet Gill the final obstacle of the day