METHS

MULANJE EXPATRIATES THREEPEAKS SOCIETY

HOME | NEWS | MEETS | REPORTS | MEMBERSHIP | CONTACT

North Yorkshire, England. 5-8 June 2002

In compiling this report my thanks are due to those who sent in their comments, where appropriate.

The weather was not bad by Pennine and this summer's standards but was dubbed as Masonic.

The Petzolds missed the briefing on Wednesday evening because they checked out of the hotel immediately on arrival and spent most of the night knocking on B&B doors. However they did have a detailed description of the route for Thursday, together with a plea for a prompt and early start to pre-empt a deteriorating weather forecast.

Thursday dawned fine but with cloud down to about 1,800ft and it was decided to go for it. 9.15 came and went but no Petzolds, so the party set off minus them at 9.30. Three vehicles to the start of Cotterdale, one being Eric's. He provided the NAAFI wagon/ambulance and did not walk because he was recovering from a gall bladder operation.

Great Shunner Fell (2,340ft) was reached in fine style and the cloud lifted to allow the occasional view. After a pit stop, we set off in a westerly direction following a fence of sorts for Aisgill. For those who enjoy Pennine bogs here is about four miles of the finest. It was duly dubbed Masonic. The advice given out the previous evening to keep to the fence proved sound, because it at least provides something to hang on to as you go down.

Sue Miller trained for the Pennines by running up and down Box Hill, Surrey, several times. She had to admit that the peat bogs were something else, when negotiating the descent of an 8ft one on Mallerstang Edge.

A somewhat exhausted party belatedly reached Hell Gill for lunch (right). Hell Gill is a narrow cleft in the limestone some 60ft deep, famous because Dick Turpin the highwayman jumped his horse across it to escape a pursuing posse from Yorkshire.

At Hell Gill we were met by Eric and Verena but not Petzold. We were running too late to follow the original plan to tackle Wild Boar Fell (2,325ft) and Swarth Fell. Instead the party made its way back to Cotterdale via the picturesque Lady Anne Clifford's road — she was an indefatigable character from the 17th century, who built roads to link up and visit her various estates in Yorkshire and Westmoreland.

All in all the party notched up 14 of the planned 20 miles. A case of Anno Domini; at an average age of 60+, we are not getting any younger.

Petzold staggered back into town about 8.30pm having indulged in what only can be described as a Mystery Tour of some 25 miles, which he stoically described as good training for the forthcoming Blantyre TPW.

On Friday we set off from the pub on time and plus the two Petzolds for a gentler 11-mile walk. We went through Gayle, then through fields and stiles to Yorburgh (1,686ft) and then on via the Roman road from Bainbridge. We deviated from the road slightly to take in Wether Fell (2,014ft) then down on to Howgate Fell, one of the finest viewpoints in the Pennines for a pit stop. After that we set off on the Roman road again towards Cam Houses. By now the cloud had dropped and visibility had fallen to about 50 yards.

It was decided to take the short cut across Dodd Fell (2,199ft) but before doing so we had to tackle a formidable Yorkshire dry-stone wall surmounted with wire. Some did so, but others grovelled through a muddy lunky hole designed as a passageway for sheep.

Shortly after this we set off across a wasteland of peat bogs and boggy channels. It was decided to navigate by compass. Axeman and Big Ruo compared compasses but there was a difference in the reading between the two, which gave rise to the comment "That's because Mason has drunk the alcohol out of his." Be that as it may, we safely traversed Dodd Fell and made it down to the Coach Road for lunch.

The murk continued as we made our way along the Pennine Way towards Ten End (1,917ft). Such was the lack of visibility that we decided to abandon this summit. AMLH was heard to remark that he might have been better off in the warmth and comfort of the pub watching England play Argentina in the World Cup. Sacrilege indeed! Eventually we emerged from the mist at about 1,200ft and made it back to the pub, which was bombed out with ecstatic England fans in a fine state, waving flags, singing and cheering.

All in all it was a great meet. Beer and company both were great, especially the Black Sheep Special. Axeman had some comment about Welly Gogging in this context.

Wild Boar Fell will eventually fall to us and may even once more be populated with wild boars. They are on the loose in the Galloway Hills. I have devised an 11-mile route from Aisgill taking in the famous Mallerstang Edge and High Seat (2,250ft), then down to Pendragon Castle — one of the reputed birthplaces of King Arthur, then up and over Wild Boar and Swarth Fells and back to the start. Something for the masochists to get their teeth into. Start training now and be sure to fill your baths with liquid peat to add that touch of authenticity. Ian Mason

Participants:

There were 14 all told, namely Ian & Sadie Mason, Brian & Jane Sayers, Sue Miller, Dave Harrison, Mike & Verena Petzold, Eric & Val Scott, Stuart & Rhoda Leslie, and Steve & Pauline Ward.

Click here for an account of last year's meet.

Map: OS landranger 98.

National Park Website: www.yorkshiredales.org.uk