Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club
Walk & Event Reports
Sunday 3rd September 2017
A Walk
Holme Fell-Black Fell-Tom Heights
7 Miles Grade 2
Leader: David Bulman
Report by Peter Flynn
Photos by Lauren Sarasini - Peter Flynn - Pete Rutland
Had we all been sensible, stayed in bed, had a good, hearty English breakfast and read the papers, we would not have been soaked by the heavy drizzle that pervaded the second half of this walk. We would, however, have missed some of the loveliest countryside in the Lake District. Ten of us – plus David’s two dogs - set off first of all round the southern end of Yew Tree Tarn, where we were treated to the un-anticipated vision of half a dozen ladies stripping off into their swimming costumes ready for a plunge in what I would imagine were the extremely cold and singularly uninviting waters of the tarn. We left them to their fate and then climbed the very steep slope to Holme Fell summit. This is one of those breathtaking moments when all the surrounding fells suddenly become visible. The Langdales, the Coniston Fells, the fells above Ambleside and the ridge from Sergeant Man, High Raise, Ullscarf and all the fells to the north. Only the Helvellyn range was capped by clouds, the rest were clear. We headed down, across the Skelwith – Coniston road and up to Black Fell where Lauren provided the entertainment by climbing onto a very wet and rather slippery trig point. By this time it was the sort of insidious rain that penetrated everywhere and lunch was taken in the woods with everyone seeking out whatever shelter they could find. From there, back down to the car park at Yew Tree tarn and then off for some rather expensive cake and drinks at a rather crowded Chester’s café on the banks of the river at Skelwith. Not the highest or most challenging walk we have done, but an unusual exploration of a delightful area which none of us would have missed. Many thanks David for once again planning and leading a lovely walk.
Peter
