Sour Howes Fell Walk25th January 2010 |
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15 hardy well wrapped up walkers assembled at Carnforth on a cloudy morning to go on the first Monday fell walk for ages. In view of the forcast wind strength and direction we decided start in the shelter of Troutbeck. From Church Bridge we set off up the track toward Garburn, but quite quickly left the track to head straight up Sour Howes. Although it was freezing the wind was quite light and the chill factor less than expected. As a photo showed we even paused at the top. Views were cut off by cloud above about 2600ft. We then followed the ridge north toward Sallows and crossed the wall to its top. Quite a few frozen snow drifts hereabouts kept us alert. Then down to the top of Garburn Pass for lunch. Finally back to Troutbeck along the Garburn 'road'. Some real substantial drifts here. A call at Wilf's rounded off a very enjoyable day and a welcome chance to get a little fitter!
John Ellison |
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Wee sleekit cowrin, tim’rous beastie On the morning of Burns night 23rd January 2010,fifteen adventurous beasties gathered for the monthly fell walk led by John Ellison intending to undertake a 6 mile walk through Kentmere, Garburn and Sour Howes.
Discussions at the Tescos car park with the group clearly showed that it would be very cold with a prevailing NE wind so a decision was made to switch to the Troutbeck side which would give is much more shelter before arriving on the summit.
Leaving the car park at Church Beck Troutbeck we had been promised a dry day but cold. The plan was to ascend part of the Garburn pass, up the western side of Sour Howes to its summit, follow the ridge to Sallows and return down the Garburn pass to our start point. Crossing the Kirkstone pass road soon brought us to the start of the Garburn road, which was blocked by a huge pile of scree brought down by the recent bad weather. Climbing steadily took us across the Longmire road.
The Garburn pass carried traffic between Kentmere and Troutbeck and was a part of a cross-country highway of some importance onto Shap and beyond. It is a major route for leisure activities and was changed in status from a bridleway to a BOAT (Byway open to any traffic) with the consequent increase in traffic. Combined with the generally poor weather has caused some major deterioration in its surface with ruts up to 4 feet in places.
Continuing up the very rough pass brought us to a mature tree plantation
where a ladder stile on the east brought us to open fell side and an
increase inn gradient. Climbing the field gave us another ladder stile and brought us to the Dubbs road festooned with notices about the repair work going on at Dubbs reservoir.
Across
the road was another ladder stile and a continuation of the steep
gradient and a need for replenishment was agreed with a coffee stop at a
super viewpoint where everyone tried to shelter from the biting
north-easterly wind.
After recharging the batteries we headed up the steep slopes of Sour Howes with additional interest given by many snow patches which were extremely hard and icy not conducive to kicking steps to gain progress.
After several rocky outcrops, we emerged on the summit of Sour Howes (1568 feet) with its delicate little cairn. We carried on to the summit of Sallows and dropped down to the summit of Garburn pass where it would be more sheltered. There was still plenty of patches of snow, the cold weather giving us a benefit in that the normally boggy conditions were completely frozen.
Following the eastern side of the summit wall gave us a good guide to curve round to the summit of Sallows (1691 feet). The summit is rather strange located on a high point which looks like a burial mound but is obviously a natural structure. Looking
back, we could clearly see the summit of Sour Howes. With Windermere in
the distance Dropping down to the top of Garburn Pass soon provided us with respite form the biting north easterlies and a spot for lunch. After
an inrush of calories, the team descended Garburn pass, which proved
tricky in several places as the surface was covered in sheet ice and
very slippy. At one point, it was impossible to open the gate but
As we
descended, a superb view appeared to the north towards Thresthwaite
Mouth with plenty of snow on view. We continued our descent reaching our start point at Church Beck Bridge, everyone enjoying the walk, definitely less cowrin or timorous!
Alan Sattenstall 26/1/2010
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