Wed 11 Dec 2013
Castle Fell is one of the hills on the Whinfell range which runs south eastward from where the A6 road bisects Borrowdale at Huck's Bridge. For over twelve years I lived close enough to be able to escape quickly to walk on these fells when needing to have the cobwebs blown from my mind. I thought it would be interesting to revisit them these many years later.
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| The only parking spot on these narrow lanes |
I managed to park on the wet, mud-covered road opposite the gate near Evattsike, like I have done a number of times in the distant past. I set off up the track that in 1972 AW called ‘excellent to use’. I can at that time recall the surface being stony and dry, at least in summer conditions. Now look at it!
Ten years later, I mentioned in my book "The North Road" that I saw it had become much eroded. It was repaired, but now it resembles a river bed more than a track. Rather than tackle the job of mending the surface and clearing out the ditch the farmers have started a new route on the right on quadcycles, so it’s unlikely that the track will ever be repaired again. One of several instances where adequate drainage has been neglected.
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| This was a good wide track in the seventies |
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| Castle Fell |
Once through the gate it was a slog up by the wall. Over the years a faint path has been formed to an opening in a crossing wall and then wanders right, reaching the summit not too gently.
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| Mabbin Crag |
The views in all directions were great. In particular the scene westwards to Mabbin Crag was good. When I first knew Mabbin Crag it was like a moor except for the crags above Borrowdale that give it its name. After planting occurred it's not easy now to penetrate the lower belt of conifers and a definite path has not yet been made over the fell.
A cold south-easterly breeze sprang up, which made it necessary to sit on the shady side to eat my lunch sheltered by the rocks.
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| Looking east from the summit of Castle Fell |
Not wishing to stay too long and become chilled I descended to the gate on the track from Evattsike and turned left. I have walked along the back side of Whinfell only once before. Today the surface was reasonably firm and dry. At the end of the wall there is a relatively new ladder stile. I didn't want to go as far as the radio beacons so I followed the track to the right which on a good raised surface led to the tarmac road linking the repeater station with the road from Grayrigg. This was pleasant, with excellent views all the way down.
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| Whinfell Beacon in late afternoon sunshine |
Once on the lower section looking back revealed the impressive size of Whin Fell, 1,544 feet high.
There was then a tiring mile-long tramp along more tarmac to the car. Three large vans and a cheerful farmer with a huge tractor pulling a slurry tank passed along the road in that time.
A pleasant re-acquaintance with an old favourite.
