The Calf from Sedbergh return over Arant Haw and Winder.
Start. Sedbergh.
Route. Sedbergh - Joss Lane - Settlebeck Gill - Green Mea - Rowantree Grains - Calders - Bram Rigg - The Calf - Bram Rigg - Calders - Rowantree Grains - Arant Haw - Green Mea - Winder - Lockbank Farm - Howgill Lane - Sedbergh.
Notes. I was in Sedbergh today attempting a walk I abandoned through heat exhaustion in September last year, it's almost unheard of to turn back because of good weather, but on that particular afternoon the heat was lung burning. No such problem today, with constant rain, some sleet and a little snow to battle through I had a real mixed bag, the sun even made an impromptu appearance to lull me into a false sense of security. Basically this was a trek there and back with a couple of short detours thrown in on the return, one big advantage returning the same way, you get to see all the scenery you couldn't be bothered to turn around to view on the outward journey, or maybe the cloud's lifted as it did on this occasion.
After slotting the car into an appropriate parking space on Back Lane, (the main road through Sedbergh), I made my way to Joss Lane, a short ascent over tarmac followed before being squeezed between dry stone walls, at the end of the lane a wooden gate allowed access to sheep pastures, I passed through said gate to reach the banks of Settlebeck Gill. A long ascent followed first passing through a metal kissing gate to gain access to the open fell, onwards and upwards I climbed to reach the main path on the coll above Green Mea. With the going much easier now I let this excellent path carry me over the slopes of Arant Haw, across Rowantree Grains before the steep ascent of Calders. I traversed Bram Rigg then descended to cross the head waters of Force Gill, a short pull up hill followed to gain the summit of The Calf, at 2217ft the highest ground on the Howgill's. Every step of the way the weather was on my back, persistent rain drumming on my hood, washing sweat into my eyes, now I had to turn and face the deluge, the walk back was going to be a wet one, I asked myself the question, what was the point?, the answer was waiting just over the next rise.
I turned around, with my head down begun to re-trace my steps, as I descended Calders the murk that had haunted me for most of my ascent begun to dissipate, light appealing cloud bubbled over the horizon, braking then sweeping up the valleys, fronds of effervescent cloud dancing across Rawthey Dale lit by the afternoon sun. I continued enjoying the views I'd missed for whatever reason on the walk in, the wide grassy ridge leading to the summit of Arant Haw looked appealing, as did the summit of Winder with it's view finder and trig point. Winder with it's exceptional views marked the end of the ridge, it was down hill all the way back. I descended to the south-west, when the path turned south the farm buildings of Lockbank Farm came into view, I passed through the gate into the farm yard to gain access to the farm lane, a short walk down hill saw me step onto the tarmac surface of Howgill Lane, all that remained, the short walk back into Sedbergh.
Soolbank rising to the summit of Crook, seen from Settleback Gill.
Looking to Frostrow and Helms Moss across the valley of the River Rawthey.
Perched on the edge of Settlebeck Gill looking to Baugh Fell.
Middleton Fell as seen over Sedbergh.
Viewing a rain washed Aye Gill Pike with Crag Hill and Whernside across the skyline.
Showers sweep along the Rawthey Valley, crisp against the dark sky Crook.
Ascending Calders, with views to Baugh Fell through the hidden vale of Hobdale.
Seen through the rain, Arant Haw over Rowantree Grains.
A fine trig point adorns the summit of The Calf.
Beyond Brant Fell the ridges leading to Arant Haw and Winder.
Stunning views over the Lune Valley.
Looking over the formidable scree and heather slopes of Fell Head, with the Lune Gorge on the far horizon.
The scene over Hobdale.
Views across the Lune Valley taking in upper Morecambe Bay and Killington Lake.
Seen from near the summit of Calders, the path across Rowantree Grains climbs to the start of the ridge leading to Arant Haw.
The tentacular ridges of the Howgill Fells seen from the Arant Haw ridge.
Arriving at the summit of Arant Haw looking back to Swarth and Wild Boar Fells.
The Lune Valley seen from Arant Haw, with Middle Tongue and Castley Knotts kissed by the afternoon sun.
The many ridges of Calders as seen from the summit, Arant Haw.
Heading down Arant Haw with views over Crook and Frostrow to the bulk of Middleton Fell.
The summit of Winder gifts us with one of the finest viewpoints in the Howgill Fells, on the far horizon mighty Whernside the highest of Yorkshires peaks, supported by Crag Hill rising above Dentdale, in the middle distance a wet looking Aye Gill Pike, to the right the little bobble of Helms Knott guarded by the peaty ground of Frostrow.
Decorating the summit a fine view indicator and trig point, the view Baugh Fell with stormy weather sweeping over Garsdale.
Sandwiched between dark sky and the shadowed Lune Valley, Arnside Knott on the Irish Sea coast..
Lit by the afternoon sun Frostrow backed by Whernside, Crag Hill and the Middleton Fells, all seen over the small market town and self proclaimed book town of Sedbergh.