Kirkby Stephen to Garsdale

6 April, 2013

12.4 mls, 19.96 km

2600 ft, 792.5 m

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Kirkby Stephen

Garsdale

Kirkby Stephen Station

08:05 to 13:40

Yorkshire Dales

Walk Number 423

Walk Notes:

The best weather for months and still lots of lying snow on the tops. The deep freeze meant all the bogs were frozen, except for the last section in the valley which was patchy. Some excellent views today, especially of the Howgills and over to Cross Fell. Superb day, crowned by sunbathing in the snow on Wild Boar Fell during lunch. Best walk since Skye last year!

Waiting at Garsdale station for the early train to Kirkby Stephen - 10 minutes there, five hours back 🙂
In the fields beyond Kirkby Stephen station I get a view of the path ahead, Little Fell (left) and Wild Boar Fell
On the long zoom of my new Lumix TZ27 camera, I can even pick out the radar station on Great Dun Fell and that?s almost 20 miles away
Lime Kiln, hidden beside the Tommy Road, just as I begin the long shallow climb up to Little Fell
The Howgills, still mostly snow-dusted in the distance
Looking back to the Cross Fell range from the climb up to Little Fell
Cautley Crag in the Howgills, another shot from the long zoom lens
Still plenty of snow on the shaded side of the wall, on the climb up to Little Fell - the sky is beautifully blue today, with just the odd cloud
The northern edge of Wild Boar Fell, looking very appealing draped in snow
Three cairns close to Little Fell summit, looking across to the Mallerstang Edge - High Seat and Gregory Chapel
The unremarkable summit of Little Fell, only found by GPS positioning, no cairn that I could see
Little Fell summit with Wild Boar Fell in the background. It's warm now and I've swapped my Paramo coat for my Regatta soft shell
A wonderful view of the Mallerstang Edge, from the slopes of Little Fell
The climb to Wild Boar Fell - I'd packed my Microspikes, but didn't need them, there were enough footholds
Cutting across to the summit of Wild Boar Fell and it's lovely and warm on the summit plateau
The snow is mostly crusty enough to walk across, but there's the odd break-through
Approaching Wild Boar Fell trig point
The summit shelter and crumbling trig point on Wild Boar Fell - this won't be standing for many more winters I don't think
The shaded side of the trig point shelter still retains most of its snow. Time for some lunch I think
Sausage buttie and a flask of hot tea, as I sit in the sunshine, looking towards Wild Boar Fell East Top - what a glorious day this is
I hardly need the hat, but the sunglasses reduce the glare from the snow - Howgills in the background
Whernside and Ingleborough from the summit of Wild Boar Fell
Cairns and shelter on Wild Boar Fell East Top
Cairns on Wild Boar Fell East Top
Cairns on Wild Boar Fell East Top
Across to Swarth Fell now, but the usually boggy traverse is made much easier by the frozen ground
Deep snow beside the wall
Deep snow beside the wall
Blue skies above crisp white snow - what could be better?
Looking back to Wild Boar Fell and Eden Valley, from the climb up to Swarth Fell
Swarth Fell summit cairn, with the Eden Valley behind
Across the plateau again, this time to Swarth Fell Pike, the day is getting better and better
The huge cairn on Swarth Fell Pike isn't on the OS spot height, but it is right next to the OS Concrete Ring trig point
Back in the valley after a tough little descent across the frozen tussocks and the ground is very squelchy now
Clough Force is almost dry, as I approach the end of the walk
The best day out on the hills I can remember for a long time, ends in the car park at Garsdale Station

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