Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club

Walk & Event Reports

Sunday 22nd June 2014

A Walk

Harter Fell, Branstree, Selside

9 Miles Grade 1

Leaders: Lorna & Roger

Reports by Peter Flynn & Roger Trigham

Photos by Lauren Sarasini Peter Flynn & Roger Trigham

Peter's Report

For the momentous occasion of Lorna and Roger’s first guided walk we had a group of seven – including both of them, but excluding Belle,  the springer spaniel temporarily lodging with Lauren and myself.  We parked at the head of Haweswater.  The morning in particular was hot but clear all round as we climbed at a respectable pace – actually overtaking a much younger looking party en route – past Small Water (odd name – it is rather big) to Nan Bield Pass and onto Harter Fell (one of several sharing the same name,  but then they probably think the same about humans being called Fred or Shirley and sharing that with others).  At least two of us had been on a similar route last year when we were absolutely drenched by the time we reached the pass;  we were again this year,  though not with rain.  The ridge along Harter Fell and on to several others whose names would make good pub quiz questions,  ended with a climb onto an unnamed top which we solemnly named after Belle who had delighted everyone,  including herself,  with her antics in a local tarn.  Shortly after this we had an invasion of midges which made it totally impossible to stay in one place for more than a couple of seconds,  and we eventually followed the old corpse road down to the shores of Haweswater.  Catherine entertained us with descriptions of the sort of complaints that the county council receive – she told us of one young lady who sent an email (Catherine is the receptor and re-director of emails) complaining that after tripping over an uneven pavement,  her trousers had “erupted”.  There was much erudite debate about erupting trousers and situations where our own had come close to such a disaster.  Her department also struggled (till it came to Catherine) with a letter complaining about a newly established car wash,  signed by a Mr Sam E. Leather (just say it quickly if you are not on the ball today).  We arrived back at the car park just in time to greet John McKay who had decided not to risk the longer A walk but to try an easier meander round Blea Tarn.  He was reliably informed that as all the water in Haweswater Hahhhh went on a direct gravity feed to Manchester,  that if he could find the entrance to the tunnel,  he could leave his car and instead enjoy what is probably the longest water slide in the British Isles.   He might have a wet, soggy trouser  eruption,  but with the savings in fuel he could actually afford a new pair.  Thanks Lorna and Roger for a lovely,  well planned and well led walk.  

Peter Flynn

Roger's Report

This was really Heather’s wonderful walk but being away for the weekend, she asked Lorna and Roger to stand in as joint leaders. Seven walkers and Peter and Lauren’s temporary lodger (Belle the impeccably behaved dog) assembled in fine weather at Mardale Head, from where we walked to the Nan Bield pass via Small Water. After climbing Harter Fell and dropping down to Little Harter Fell for lunch, we crossed to Branstree from where Ingleborough could be seen, and then and made our way to Selside discussing on the way topics as disparate as Wagner’s ring cycle (sublime) and the Sam E Leather spoof (ridiculous) not to mention the case of the erupting trousers (not one of Sherlock Holmes!). After that we were ready for the Old Corpse Road and the return to the car park. The Haweswater hotel obliged with cream teas etc and we departed for home after a superb day.

Roger