Borrowdale Fell Walk March 2010

THE JAWS OF BORROWDALE

No not a horror film or a cult Lakeland restaurant, a description of the Fell Walk on Monday 22^nd March 2010 led by John Ellison. The description sounded good, excellent views only 1300 feet and relatively easy for a fell walk, I thought give me some of that.

So 6 trusty souls gathered at the Tesco meet point with an acknowledgement that the forecast for the day included some heavy showers so the plan could be varied.

Arriving at Grange in Borrowdale after a journey where the rain got more prominent as we neared the start a decision was taken to inspect the quality of the local catering in the caff.

After  some grand teacakes and tea and watching the drenched walkers streaming past outside a decision was taken to make a stab at Castle Crag somewhat lower at 960 feet than Grange Fell the original objective.

Taking advantage of the church porch to get changed in the dry the keen team set off along the level path just past the Grange café. After a short distance a junction was reached where we turned south west and started the climb up to the Hause linking Castle Crag with Low Scawdel in very clement conditions

In the background of the picture Derwentwater can be just seen in the gloom.

Continuing the climb past several torrents pouring down the hillsides reminded us how little rain we have had in 2010 until several days earlier. The nature of the climb changed dramatically now as the hillside reared up much steeper. A turn up the hillside over a stile brought us to the foot of a huge pile of quarry waste; fortunately a well graded man made path overcame this obstacle to a super view over the other side of Borrowdale.

It was now a straight forward stroll to the belvedere just below the summit where magical views were opening up just as the weather also improved dramatically

 There were superb views down Borrowdale as can be clearly seen in the picture as we had decided to take a lunch halt at the summit to admire the views.

The summit itself is a perfect natural stronghold and it is easy to see why this splendid location was a hill fort many years ago occupying a superb strong point over the Borrowdale valley. It is believed to have been an early British fort but needs an expert eye to spot any evidence of the site. The situation is particularly airy with steep cliffs to all sides except the south. The actual highest point is a sharp volcanic plug requiring some care to attain its top.

 Suitably replenished with calories and liquids the team descended by the only weakness in its battlements –to the south to a terrace above the quarry which gave us excellent viewpoints to the south and east again particularly of Glaramara

Taking a different return route we turned south west to descend to the river Derwent.The weather had by this time improved out of all recognition and could not even believe it was the same day!!

A steep descent brought us to a delightful return along the beautiful environs of the river Derwent where we headed north along what is a section of the Cumbria Way as well as the Allerdale Way. This section was absolutely wonderful along the reaches of the Derwent, indeed the man himself Wainwright considers this area the loveliest square mile of the Lakes, the Jaws of Borrowdale. 

Continuing along the superb way we passed several cairns which had been the subject of much skill by walkers displaying much talent.     

It was now only a short wander to meet the junction where we had turned south east to climb Castle Crag and continue to our start point in Grange in Borrowdale

Despite the awful earlier weather this was a super walk to a viewpoint often overlooked but well worth a visit in the itinerary of any serious walker. It gives magnificent view over the Borrowdale valley from a modest height without a huge amount of effort.

Alan Sattenstall

24^th march 2010