H T Fell Walking Club: April 2011

Monday, 11 April 2011

319 May Walk from Sedbergh

Our next walk will be in the beautiful area of Cumbria [was the Yorkshire Dales] around

Sedbergh

Saturday 14th May 2011

0800hrs prompt from short stay car park

Dehydration can be a serious problem in warmer months leading to loss of energy, loss of alertness, aching joints and being a liability to your fellow walkers. Please ensure that you have a plentiful supply of drinking water [cordial]. 2 litres is recommended.

The attractive old market town of Sedbergh, with its old world atmosphere, is not only set in the magnificent western dales of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, but is also close to the rugged eastern fells of the Lake District. It has developed at the confluence of four rivers, where ancient trade routes merged.

The town is dwarfed by the mighty Howgills, some of Alfred Wainwright's favourite fells. An historic town, Sedbergh has been a thriving community for hundreds of years, with a market dating from the 13th Century. The town was a staging point for commercial routes across the Pennines. Dating from Saxon times, Sedbergh still shows clear evidence of the influence of the subsequent Saxons, Vikings and Normans. The town is full of character from its cobbled streets to its historic houses, some of which show the hallmarks of the old knitting and woollen trades which made the area such a thriving community.

Cont..........click here
more about Sedbergh here

There will be three walks as normal;

Details of the walks will be added as they become available, but by Saturday 7th May 2011

Five Day Weather forecast for Sedbergh click here http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/4184?

Photographs of the last B walk from Sedbergh in July 2006

Weather forecast for Sedbergh

click 'more detailed view' for the 5 day forecast

A Walk at Sedbergh

Walk Leader: Tony McDonald

Distance: 10.6 miles

Height Ascent/Descent: 2800ft approx

Walk route from Bridge End to Sedbergh

The walk starts about 1mile outside Sedbergh, where the road crosses the river Lune. The walk takes a scenic route along the river Lune, the scenery is stunning and there is a great sense of tranquillity, as the river is clear and there are wild flowers. The route goes under a disused railway viaduct that is a magnificent example of Victorian engineering. The walking is along the Dales way which is easy and the paths are good.

After a pleasant walk along the dales way the walk turns east towards Howgill and starts a gentle climb along winding country lanes. At around 12:30 the track crosses Long Rigg Beck which is a crystal clear brook, this is a nice place to stop for lunch. After lunch the route takes a steady climb to the summit of White Fell, then follows the a ridge along the top of the mountains taking in the Calf (Altitude) 672 metres), Bram Rigg Top to Calders. There then follows a steady decent towards Sedbergh which offers wonderful views of the Yorkshire Dales and the south lakes. Morecambe bay is clearly visible towards the west and the sun glistens on the sea giving a view that makes all the effort of the work well worth it.

One great feature of the Sedbergh area is that there is good paths and few people making the walk relaxing. Finally the views extend to the village of Sedbergh it's which is obscured for much of the walk, then there is a fairly rapid decent into the Village near the famous Sedbergh school. Like all good walks the walk ends in between a real ale pub and a café. The pub is lively and pleasant and sells some nice Lakeland ales. The coach will park a short walk down a pretty street.

The walk offers fantastic scenery, safety and a good level of challenge. Total

distance is around 10.6 miles and the maximum climb is around 550 metres. It is recommended that walkers carry at least 1 walking pole and there are some areas that may me slippery.

Photos from the reccie;

B Walk at Sedbergh

Walk Leader: Terry Simmons

Total Distance: 9 Miles

Total Ascent/Descent: 2600ft

Walk Route [anticlockwise]

Route elevation

GWYN ON OUR DESCENT FROM BRAM RIGG

I estimate a time of approx 5.5 hrs to cover an estimated length of up to 9 miles with the highest point being Bram Rigg at 2100 ft [Sedbergh 400+ft]

This covers an ascent for most of the pre lunch period followed by a descent with wonderful views in the afternoon we will have a few slight rises when we get to the base of Swarth Greaves, this is due to having to keep to the edge of the fells down to Crossdale Beck where we re-join the path to take us back to Howgill Lane and on into Sedburgh.

This is a challenging walk in the early part but subject to weather very satisfying.

Photos from 2006

Heading for the Calders

Bram Rigg

John rescues a dying lamb

Bram Rigg Top

on the way down

Sedbergh comes into view

John heading for the pub and a very welcome refreshment

C Walk at Sedbergh

Walk Leader: Marion Young

Total Distance:6.5 miles [10.5km]

Height Gain: 705 ft [215m]

map of route [click to enlarge]

Winder from the safety of the ‘C’ walk

Distance- 6.5 Miles ( 10.5 km) Height Gain -215m (705 ft) 9 Stiles , one paddle through a stream, mainly field paths , a good portion of the walk is along the Dales way, return along a lane. The main height gain is by two fairly steep gradients in the middle of the walk, one before lunch and one after.

Refreshments -Pubs and cafes on the Main Street. We will meet on the corner by St. Andrews Church, after morning coffee.

Toilets - beside the coach park.

Nestling under the Howgill Fells, Sedbergh is a popular starting point for high level walks into the hills, but is equally well placed for many gentler rambles amongst the lower slopes. Downstream the Dee and Rawthey combine to meet the River Lune, a corner criss crossed by paths and quiet lanes that link the old mills and scattered valley farms that helped foster trade at the ancient market town.

Amongst the sights along the route are 2 impressive examples of Victorian engineering—viaducts that carried the former Ingleton railway above the rivers.

Swaledale sheep with lambs , these were to be seen almost all the way round the walk as the lambing season was in full swing when we did the recce in mid April