Sun 22 Nov 2015
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| Gurnal Dubbs |
Set off with Andrew at eight o'clock. The sky was cloudy and dark. But as we neared the Lakes the sun came through and although it was very cold, with a bitter north west wind, we walked from the Staveley back road up to Potter Tarn, and thence to Brunt Knott.
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| Potter Tarn |
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| Nameless crag en route for Brunt Knott |
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| Brunt Knott |
It was even more windy and cold at 1400ft on Brunt Knott itself and there were patches of frozen snow around. Had there not been sun all day it would have been much less enjoyable. We then made a two mile walk along to Ulgraves, 1090ft.
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| Andrew on Ulgraves |
It was only there that I began to recognise where I had been before when living at Meal Bank. I think we visited Ulgraves when Colin came to stay and we ascended from Longsleddale. We had been told by a farmer we were on private land as we climbed.
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| How has this wall remained in position? |
We then dropped down to Gurnal Dubs, and although I recognised the tarn and the outlet, and the Occupation Road by which I used to come often in the seventies, the route down from there seemed totally different from what I remembered it had been like.
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| AW's Rowan Tree |
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| Gurnal Dubs |
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| The boathouse |
I had never actually followed the circuit described by AW, having walked around Gurnal Dubs probably before he had published The Outlying Fells in 1974. In fact, I can't recall the summit of Brunt Knott - which makes my claim to have completed the Outlying Fells a rather dubious one! I must consult my records and also Colin about this.*
I was really tired when we returned to
the car via the old shipon near High Hundhowe - a building I recall passing and
photographing after I came back to live in the north.
Andrew's choice was a good one, and although I must have slowed him down, its seven and a half mile length was enough for him as well as me, especially on such a cold day.
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| Photo taken 12 July 2003 |
Andrew's choice was a good one, and although I must have slowed him down, its seven and a half mile length was enough for him as well as me, especially on such a cold day.
*Result of search in database of walks records:
Potter Tarn 29/12/1979 AW's route from Side House, Return via High Hundhowe Watery sun, snow above 500', mist on tops, snow later. With Colin. [No mention of Brunt Knott]
Another visit, according to Colin's notes (q.v.) 15 Aug 1977 [not on record]
Brunt Knott 03/04/1982 [Route] Occupation road, Gurnal Dubs, Brunt Knott, Ulgraves? Sunny - a day for lingering
Potter Tarn and Gurnal Dubs 12/07/2003 [Route] Spring Hag Wood, Frost Hole, Potter Tarn, Gurnal Dubs, Potter Tarn, Ghyll Pool, High Hundhowe Warm sunshine.
