Ingleborough (2373')

Sun 30 Sep 2018


You can find an index to my other walks here


Ingleborough

Andrew and I set off around eight o'clock and parked near Crummack. In spite of the unpromising look of the weather the plan was to visit the top of Ingleborough and possibly Simon Fell, returning either by the Sulber Nick route and Beggars Stile or completing a circle by descending to Gaping Gill and rejoining the outward path above Crummack.
          From Crummack farm we took the steep climb up to the ridge north of Long Scar, and then the level track across the moor. It wasn't long before we reached the ruined hut on the track coming up from Sulber Nick. It was a pity to see the amount of rubbish lying around, and we hoped this had been left by careless idiots rather than seasoned walkers. There was just too much to think of collecting so I put some into one of the many bags I found there and put it out of sight.
Penyghent in the distance

          The walking got steeper from here, and it seemed longer than when I came this way last time. We abandoned the idea of including Simon Fell. Before we reached the final rocky section we met a few walkers who had endured the usual gale on the summit. I suggested lunch would be a good idea before tackling the last few feet.
          Out of the wind during our snack we watched as a small group of children led by a single adult descended to the track we'd just used. The reports of the usual fierce and cold wind on the summit from some of those whom we had met earlier appeared not to have worried these little ones; but when we set off on the narrow shelf of a track the blast was terrific and I had difficulty in maintaining my balance. I struggled to pull my hood over my hat, an action I ought to have done earlier, and Andrew disappeared ahead. Other walkers overtook me, seeming not to be affected by the conditions, wearing no hats and striding up the rocky path without difficulty. Oh, to remember the younger years!
          The long trek over the stony ground towards the shelter was painful against the unrelenting wind. I had put on light trousers as there was only light wind forecast. I wished I had my over-trousers, but I hadn't brought those because no rain was expected. I reckon there had been a few dozen people on the summit already, and some were now leaving in different directions. When we reached the shelter we had it almost to ourselves.
          Out of the wind it felt better, but there was no real invitation to stay and as I didn't feel at all like the idea of trying to maintain my balance descending by the route of ascent harried by the gale force winds I suggested going by the path down to Gaping Gill. This was easy walking at first, but I found the paving that had been used in places, to prevent erosion, were too narrow planted edge upwards and difficult to trust if I were to go off balance. Andrew found it easy, but he always strides on confidently without any worries about whether a footfall on wet stone will result in slipping.


Looking back as we descended towards Gaping Gill

          It was at about this time I realised I had been too uncomfortable on the summit to even think of taking photographs. Damn! That means another ascent - in better weather. We reached Gaping Gill after a short, gentle rain shower, and a little further on by Bar Pot we sat down to finish our snacks.


Gaping Gill

Bar Pot
  
We were treated to some weak sunshine as we set off on a route I haven't used before down to Clapham Bottoms. It was then an easy climb up to the ridge with Norber on our right and Long Scar on our left.

The path to Clapham Bottoms is seen over the wall
Clapham Bottoms

The descent to Crummack was gentle and comfortable, providing that lovely atmosphere of contentment which often occurs at the end of a day in the hills, the wind having relented and sun quite warm as we reached my car.
I am very pleased and surprised we did the walk without my feeling the 1,300 feet of ascent and the nine miles distance had been too much.  There's life in...(never mind).
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