Wolfhole Crag (1731')

Sat 1 Nov 2014

Summit of Wolfhole Crag in the Bowlands

On Greenside Hill. Beyond is our track
 up the flank of  Ward's Stone

We set off in good spirits after a breakfast at Parkside Café, with Andrew parking by Tower Lodge on the road through the Trough of Bowland. We set off up over Greenside Hill. After descending the other side to Gilberton we walked up the grouse road that climbs along the flank of Ward's Stone. After a short rest above Pea Car Barn we accidentally sent a great flock of sheep off course; they were being brought down from the fells to be put with the tups. At the shelter I had a bite to eat, and a drink, reviving me astonishingly quickly for the rest of the walk.

In the killing fields with the modern-style grouse butts

We proceeded to Wolfhole Crag which we were delighted to see was still in the sun. We explored and photographed some of the 'faces' in the rocks I had originally been astonished to discover some years ago.* I was pleased that Andrew also could also see the ‘faces’. People with little imagination can't. In spite of the cold blustery wind we spent a very enjoyable time there.

Giving a whole new meaning to the words 'rock face'.

We decided to return by the outward route in spite of a notice, probably wrongly left in place on the day of the last shoot, saying the area was closed. Luckily there were no guns being used today and we set off down towards Gilberton. We saw below us a second flock of sheep being gathered.

The pull over Greenside Hill was tiring, and it was getting quite dark as we reached the car. We were home by six o'clock.

An excellent day on the fells after six weeks of no walks at all for Andrew, and a week of stomach pains and little food for me.

*16 July 2006