Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club
Walk & Event Reports
Sunday 29th January 2017
B Walk
Harter Fell - Mardale
6 Miles Grade 1
Leader: Pete Rutland
Report by Pete Rutland
Photos by Pete Rutland & Malcolm Iredale
The scene that greeted us on arrival at Mardale was not promising. It wasn’t the heavy snow but the lack of any viz that was likely to put a mockers on our day. But we set off up Nan Bield as planned. By the time we reached Small Water Tarn things had not improved. The weather man had got the forecast very wrong, but in fairness Mardale does tend to make its own climate.
We carried on up to the Shelter at the top of the pass to have a well earned cup of tea. We had walked in a heavy snow fall with poor viz which at times made finding the path a challenge. Everyone was still happy to push on to the summit of Harter Fell, on a normal day a relatively easy task but in full on winter conditions a little harder. On reaching the top I think everyone was glad we persevered, if not for the views(which there was none) but for the sense of achievement.
A quick photo on top then we headed down. We were lucky to find a small spot out of the wind for a late lunch and ginger wine. As we continued down we were finally rewarded with a break in the clouds and some cracking views to finish the walk.
Thanks to everyone for showing some spirit and cracking on to complete the walk when at times it would have been very easy to just head back down. Traditional tea and buns were taken in the Haweswater Hotel. Thanks to Ben the Springer for bringing Malcolm along. A great little dog who must have done the walk three times.
Cheers to all, Pete