Whitbarrow Wander

Easter normally involves a trip to Scotland for some backpacking. TJS is now a regular but college commitments meant that would be tricky to organise. An alternative plan for some trailer camping near Fort William was invoked to join my good friend Mark and his family in bagging Ben Nevis (TJS hasn’t climbed it and neither have I for over 20 years – I think). However with Scotland still in the grip of winter (and not wishing to take the Dangerous Brothers into a Scottish white-out on Britain’s highest mountain) we needed an alternative, alternative plan, a plan C if you like.

We sort of invited ourselves to Marks place for a few days and as always they welcomed us with open arms, fed us like kings and queens and tolerated our bad habits and boorish behaviour. A weekend of serious mountaineering was replaced with some more laid back easy walks, eating, games, eating, more eating, games and eating. And many laughs. Just what a hard-working project management professional needs in fact.

Our first outing took us to the Limestone eminence of Whitbarrow Scar. There are several of these low escarpments in the South Lakes and they make for excellent family walks. Views are expansive and they are always quiet while the masses head to the more famous peaks.

We parked up at the south end and climbed the steep slopes via a very well-made path through Buckhouse Wood. It was a little gloomy and we had a spell of rain.

Mark’s TBH wanted to stop in the rain – when she’s hungry she’s focused! We managed to convince her to walk on a short way until the rain stopped before settling down for lunch. A good call as we had some watery sunshine while sat and scoffed. A very fine lunch stop in the end

As we walked along the broad ridge the weather, while still chilly, showed promising signs of brightness

Panorama looking across Morecambe Bay

And approaching the summit

The DBs found endless small crags to play on and made short work of a short climb to the summit of the cairn on Lords Seat

As we began our descent down the very steep slopes of Bell Rake we found this mine adit. Needless to say that the DBs were straight in there and even convinced DB Senior, namely me to join them

It was a surprisingly long tunnel although there was no evidence of whatever the people who excavated it were digging for. The DBs were as happy as pigs in muck as you can see

I tried a couple of shots in the passage but it was, unsurprisingly, a little dark

Mark did some dedicated research and you can read about his findings and his take on the day here

Once back at the base of the escarpment, the terrain turned from dry rocks to soggy mud as the water that permeates through the Limestone emerges as springs where it hits the impermeable rocks underneath

The sun was becoming more apparent and we were treated to some fabulous views of the striking cliffs as we emerged from High Park Wood

These are the cliffs of Chapel Head Scar

And a panorama of the same

We were well pleased that such a gloomy start turned into a sunny finish. The views from the car of the end of the ridge while thoughts turned to home-made pizzas

My map shows around 7 miles although the other route tracking apps seems to show 8 miles so I’ll accept the longer estimate for the purposes of morale

Great start to what was a cracking weekend