Summary

Summits Achieved

Preface

Shaun had brought the tea, and we had steaming mugs in paw, and the tuck tin full of biscuits, but it still did not really lift our mood.

"Will it ever stop raining this week" complained Tetley, staring miserably out of the window.

"Well we can only hope" replied Allen brightly trying to cheer his pal up.

Grizzly said, "especially as I overheard Dad saying to Uncle Brian that he had arranged to walk with Uncle Eric on Thursday."

"Oh that would be just great", enthused Little Eric. "It's a few weeks since we had his company, on the Dunnerdale walk."

"I wonder where we might be going?", mused Shaun.

"I'll go and ask", volunteered Allen, once I've finished my tea and had another biscuit.

"I swear you have got hollow legs pal", laughed Grizzly. "You take after Dad in so many ways."

Shortly, Allen then went off to see Dad. He returned just a few minutes later, asking first, "Can you refill my mug, please Shaun."

"Sure pal. There you are."

"Thanks pal. Uncle Eric has suggested a walk to the western side of the M6 close to junction 37. He has done most of it before but not the two summits Docker Knott and Lambrigg Fell that are in an area of access land. The other summit at the start is Roan Edge. This stands above the M6 just before junction 37. By climbing these Uncle Eric will complete all the Howgill Fells and the associated ones to the east and west."

"Sounds great", replied Shaun. "All we have to do is keep our paws crossed for the weather."

 

The Walk

In the event, the day was dry, but extremely windy, so by the end of the walk, we were all glad to get into the car!

A convenient layby just on the Kendal side of M6 junction 37 was our start point.

As they got ready, we hurriedly snuggled down as much as possible in the rucksack, to protect us from the fearsome wind.

Uncle Eric said, "we have to walk back up the hill towards Kendal and then take the access road left to Roan Edge Quarry."

This is absolutely massive. "Awesome!", said Tetley.

Shaun had the map to paw saying, "where the road ends, we follow the continuing track, which is a bridleway."

The view opened out to the left. "There's Killington Lake beyond the M6", said Grizzly. "The motorway service area is hidden by the trees."

The climb was quite gentle, reaching a gate on the right, "It's through that to reach the trig point marking the summit of Roan Edge", advised Shaun.

This was soon achieved, seen here backed by the Lambrigg Wind Farm.

The wind was ferocious, Dad saying while I take your picture, I need to secure my cap round my stick to stop it blowing away."

"Also for once lads, you will have to stay in the rucksack for the picture."

"I agree", called out Little Eric. "Otherwise we'll be blown away.

This is a rare occurrence. Had it been a calm day we would have proudly sat on top of the trig point.

Anxious to get down off the hill, Dad slipped the rucksack on and retrieved his cap and stick.

"Where now?", asked Grizzly.

Shaun replied, "we descend to a gate, then pick up the bridleway once more and follow it as it gradually descends to Fairthorns Road."

There Uncle Eric said, "it over that stile and along the footpath to Hall Bank Farm."

Here a vet was in the process of removing the horns from a cow. We were glad to get through the farmyard, Allen saying, "Eww, not nice sight."

Beyond Shaun said, "it's over that stile and down the field under power lines."

"I presume that helicopter we saw flying low over them was carrying out a survey", commented Tetley. "It was a fascinating sight."

At the bottom the path led over a small stream and then on by the woodland on the right to the road at Millrigg Farm.

"Turn right" called out Shaun. "We walk the road for about three-quarters of a mile to the A684."

Arriving there, Uncle Eric said, "cross the road and then over that stile."

Ahead was Bundrigg Moss, a very boggy morass. "The map shows the path going straight, but we should contour as far to the left as possible to avoid it", suggested Allen.

After a gate we walked on towards the buildings called Birks.

"Wow", called out Grizzly. "Just look at that fantastic bluebell wood. Beautiful."

"I'm hungry", complained Allen.

"No surprise there", laughed Shaun.

Shortly coming to a small building Uncle Eric said. "there is enough shelter by it to get out of the wind."

"Fine" said Dad.

Allen slipped his rucksack off and then we tucked into the sandwiches, washed down with warming mugs of tea.

"There is cake too", said Grizzly. "Lemon, made by Aunt Eileen at Newby Head."

"That is bound to be delicious", said Little Eric.

I little while later Dad said, "have you finished lads."

"Yes" replied Tetley. "We'll get settled ready of the off."

The path was then followed to the road at Myers, Shaun saying, "we cross and continue to Croft Foot."

There Uncle Eric said, "it's through that gate on the right, onto a narrow hedged track. Having done this part of the walk before this track is not recommended in the summer as it gets totally overgrown."

Today though, its was lined with bluebells, celandine and other wild flowers. "Ahh, enchanting", said Little Eric.

After a while we crossed a double stile. Dad snapped Uncle Eric as he checked the next part of our route on the map.

He said, "we cross the field to that house called Haygarth. At the road, almost immediately we take the bridleway, climbing left to reach open fell."

At the start of this we were amused by this sign.

The bridleway kept by the wall. Shaun said, "the wall will eventually swing sharp right towards another boundary. That is where the summit of Docker Fell is marked on the map."

Just past the wall corner, Allen called out, "there's a cairn marking a grassy track. That must be the route to the summit."

He was quite correct, this post indicating the summit.

Tetley said, "that's Lambrigg Fell to the right. The final objective today."

"We want to get out for our picture", stated Grizzly.

"But it is so windy", said Little Eric. "I fear being blown away."

"I have the solution", replied Dad. "I'll set the rucksack against the post as a windbreak, like we did on Black Hill when we walked with Uncle Bob."

"Brilliant", cheered Allen.

Safely snugged again, Shaun said, "we return to the bridleway and continue right to a junction, there going left."

Keeping our eyes peeled it was Tetley who called out, "there's the waymark."

Now we made the rough crossing over heather and bog to arrive at another track. "Follow this, but shortly leave it left and soon come to the rocky top Lambrigg Fell."

"What a terrific backdrop of the Howgill Fells", called out Little Eric. "I hope one day that I will be able to complete the challenge. "

"You will lad, I promise", said Dad.

"A cairn where we can sit out of the wind for our picture", cheered Tetley. "Come on pals."

"Where now?", asked Little Eric as he snuggled down.

"Return to the track and go left", said Shaun.

Then at a junction, he instructed, "left here."

The path climbed to a stile in a wall, after which we passed near the Lambrigg Wind Farm, from which it was just a short walk to the car.

On the way, Grizzly called out, "Aww look at that ewe with her cute lambs. Get a picture please Dad."

"That was a super walk", said Shaun, "despite the wind."

"All totally new to us", went on Allen. "Thank you Uncle Eric for agreeing to repeat it."

"You are welcome lads. I have never been to the summits of Docker Fell & Lambrigg Fell, so I am pleased to have done that."

"That completes your Howgill challenge Uncle Eric", said Grizzly. "Well done and congratulations from us all."

"Thank you."

As we drove home, Little Eric said, "a grand day out, but I am glad to be out of the wind."

"Quite" agreed Tetley.

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