GAISGILL,
WHITEFOLD MOSS, RISPA PIKE, ULDALE END & ELLERGILL,
from RAISGILL HALL
Summary & Summits
Walk
statistics
Name
of Summit
Height
(ft)
Height
(m)
Grid
Ref
Date - 2nd January 2011
Rispa Pike
1554
473
NY 6382 0130
Map - OL19
Elliott Howe
1102
336
NY 6420 0291
Distance - 7.25miles
Ascent - 930ft
Start - Raisgill Hall (NY 635058)
Walk Blog
The first
summit blog on our first walk in 2011. We, with Dad, like to set
some goals at the start of each year, giving us something
specific to aim for. This year we have resolved to complete the
Birketts, and Dad has agreed to reclimb some of the Howgills so
that Little Eric can complete that challenge. Indeed, this was
started today. It was dry and cloudy for the most part but
visibility was good. The temperatures stayed around freezing all
the time. Dad drove along the old road from Tebay, as this passed
the start, but he was unable to find any where to park, so we
started from Raisgill Hall, as in the past. Walked to the main
road and crossed into Gaisgill. Then just out of the village,
took the path left across the fields to Gill Hole Farm, where we
joined the road and walked to its end at the house called Intake.
The main objective Rispa Pike was now in view, distantly to the
left. Here a signpost pointed to Whitefold Moss, our first
destination. The clear track led on, meandering under the slopes
of Weather Hill and Knott. There was sheet ice in places up to
nearly 2 inches thick, so Dad had to resort to verge walking to
avoid this. Eventually the large sheepfold came into view with
Whitefold Moss beyond and Rispa Pike to the left. Passed the fold,
to continue on along the less distinct tractor track, that
climbed while slanting left towards Rispa Pike. At about 200ft
from summit altitude, Dad struck left off the track, to climb the
rough ground to the summit marked by a stone shelter. This was
first of Little Eric's 12 outstanding tops done. We settled on a
stone that provided a good seat, to have our picture taken. Then
we all had lunch, while enjoying the dramatic views all around.
North to the Pennines-Cross Fell and other higher tops covered in
snow. Fine view south across the bleak terrain of Uldale to
Breaks Head, with other Howgill summits to the east. Finally west
to our beloved Lakeland Fells-Coniston Range, Crinkle Crags,
Bowfell, Esk Pike, Great End and Great Gable to name a few. So,
dragging our eyes from the views, we walked north along the
descending ridge, a clear tractor track soon emerging that led
unerringly down over Uldale End and on to the barely
imperceptible rise that is Elliot Howe. Without exception we had
all been here before, but we had not had our picture taken at the
summit, this being rectified today. The track continued, through
a gate, to pass above Low Shaw, then to the buildings at Long
Gills. According to Wainwright, his walk now directed us over the
fields to the hamlet of Longdale. However the access land is now
such that the only route is on along the track to Ellergill Farm
and then to the road by the bridge over Langdale Beck between
Gaisgill and Longdale, from where it was just a short walk to
Gaisgill and on to the car. The main road passing Gaisgill, was
until 1952 part of the South Durham & Lancashire Union
Railway line between Tebay and Kirkby Stephen East. There was a
station here and of that the station house and the waiting
shelter subsequently converted to a bungalow still remain. See
photo below, and a more detailed description and the larger image
page.
Refreshment time now for Dad and he had planned to go to Steve
and Joanne's at the Old School House in Tebay but it was closed.
Instead he went to the Country Kitchen cafe at Bob Parratt's in
Milnthorpe. Chunky chicken soup, was followed by a bacon cheese
and tomato melt baguette, with tea. Dad told us it was very nice
indeed and a visit can be recommended. A good day and great to be
back to Sunday walking and get the 2011 account off to a good
start!
Old sheepfold with Whitefold
Moss beyond. The path rising to the left was our route to
Rispa Pike larger image
At the summit of
Rispa Pike. Our pal Little Eric bagged the summit,so we
gathered companionably round him for our picture larger image
The
wall shelter that adorns the summit of Rispa Pike, built
to protect from the prevailing westerly winds. The slopes
behind are the ridge rising to Uldale Head larger image
The bridge over Langdale
Beck, on the road between Gaisgill & Longdale larger image
The site of Gaisgill Station.
The half timbered building was the station house, the
bungalow beyond being formed from the platform waiting
shelter larger image
Shaun attracted these sheep
giving Dad close-up shot - horns have been cut perhaps
they had got in the way larger image
This one has a wonderfully
impressive set of horns. They kept following as we walked
along the fence larger image