Only Winder.

Start. Sedbergh (Howgill Lane).

Route. Sedbergh (Howgill Lane) - Lockbank Farm - Settlebeck Gill - Green Mea - Winder - Lockbank Farm - Sedbergh (Howgill Lane).

Notes. The Howgill Fells overlooked by many hill walkers, sometimes known as the forgotten fells. Steep ascents, wide grassy ridge lines, with stunning views over deep cut gills welcomes those who find the time to grace these rolling uplands. Winder is one of the lowest hills in the Howgill Fells, located at the southern tip above the self stilled book town of Sedbergh, it stands head and shoulders above it’s higher neighbours.

Time was of the essence today, it didn’t help that I had to stop on the short drive to Sedbergh, my view obscured by driving rain, the weather gods had their angry heads on, I doubted my sanity heading into the hills on a day like today. Tropical downpour over I continued through driving rain, I had a plan, if it was still throwing it down when I reached Sedbergh I’d give it five minutes, if it hadn’t stopped I head home, watch a film, stay dry.

I parked in Howgill Lane next to the football field, sat watching rain bead down the car windows, time ticked by, I was just about to head home when someone turned the tap off. On went my waterproofs, followed by my boots, the sky was still charcoal grey as I headed up the road to Lockbank Farm, between farm buildings I wandered to access the fell side.

Now above the final intake wall, I let the wall guide me to Settleback Gill, I then turned up hill, soft wet paths sapped the strength, my legs objected but I forced them on. I slowly plodded up hill to the coll at Green Mea. Winder was now in my grasp, a wide grassy ridge guided me towards the summit, I sat in the lea of the hill listening to the sound track of the wild mountain wind, glad the rain had stayed away.

Time to leave I descended to the south, a good path safely guided me down the hill, before reaching the intake wall I swung left, still on a good path this in turn guide me across two swollen gills before slowly descending to Lockbank Farm, all that remained to re-trace my steps of earlier. Approaching the car the rain started to fall, by the time I’d peeled my waterproofs off (which I hadn’t needed) it was back with a vengeance, perfect timing.

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From Howgill Lane views to Winder.

Moody skies above Aye Gill Pike.

Viewing the Frostrow Fells with Crag Hill under cloud.

Garsdale between Baugh Fell and Aye Gill Pike, wreathed in cloud and driving rain.

Across Settlebeck Gill the Soolbank slopes of Crook.

Toiling up the Settlebeck Gill path looking back to the hills rising from Dentdale, Whernside the highest of Yorkshire's three peaks, the flat top of Crag Hill and massive bulk of Middleton Fell.

On the wide ridge leading to Winder looking to the twin tops of Crook.

The summit Winder.

Arant Haw seen from the summit of Winder.

Views over the broad grassy saddle of the Nab, on the far horizon the Lune Gorge.

Dappled light on Baugh Fell.

The stunning view over the mouth of the Rawthey Valley and the valley of the River Lune.

From the slopes of Winder views to Middleton Fell.

Descending enjoying views north to the Lune Gorge and the hills of the Grayrigg Forest and Northern Howgill's.

Above the valleys of the Rivers Rawthey and Lune enjoying wonderful views over Lunesdale.

A triptych of Dales mountains, from left to right, Whernside, Crag Hill and Middleton Fell.

Clinging to a reassuring path.

Across the horizon, Blease Fell rising from the Lune Gorge, Linghaw, Fell Head and rising out of shot the Comb Ridge slopes of Arant Haw.

Sedbergh's in sight, the rains held off and it's been a good morning on the hill.

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