Members: Andy Croughton, Mike Graves, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Alan (H) Jones, Alan(L) Jones, Iain McCallum, Lorna Marsland, Lester Payne, Alan Peck, Brian Taylor, Jim Taylor, Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, Keith Williams, Dave Wylie (16).

Guests: Ruth Flanagan, James Hartley, Geraldine O'Keeffe, Antonio Osuna (4).

Contrary to the weather forecast the sky was already overcast before we left the cars at Cote Gill Bridge. Prior to the start Jim G. pacified a passing farmer, by advising him that we were going to ascend Swarth Fell via the path from the nearby cottages and not by climbing over the fence running alongside the road.

Following the path we made our way up the east flank of Swarth Fell. Once on the ridge we headed north towards the summit. By the time we reached the top of the Fell the party was well spread out along the ridge. Soon it divided into two groups, the A group led by Jim Gregson headed off for Wild Boar Fell while the B group led by me had a pit stop out of the wind in a hole below the summit. By this time a thick mist had enveloped the top of Wild Boar Fell and it had started to rain.

Passing the little tarn on the col we climbed slowly up the fellside in the teeth of strong cold wet north east wind to the top of Wild Boar Fell. Its name reflects the story that the last wild boar in England was killed here in the fifteenth century by Sir Richard Musgrave. However, the same claim is made for several other places in England.

Continuing north we headed for Little Fell before dropping into the valley where we stopped for lunch under some trees at Low Cocklake near Pendragon Castle, an old stronghold of the Clifford family. By this time the rain had stopped and some patches of blue began to appear in the sky. As we headed south following the River Eden towards Shoregill we were joined by Jim's party. Crossing the river we made our way via Lund's church to Outhgill where we viewed the Jew's Stone . Here we divided into two parties, one party led by Andy, Frank and Margaret returned to Cotegill Bridge along the valley while the other led by Iain and Jim G. made their way back, aided by a very strongwind, over High Seat and Hugh Seat. It is said that Hugh Seat is named after Sir Hugh de Morville of Pendragon Castle, one of the four knights who murdered St Thomas a Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. By now the tops were clear and to the south we could see Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent and to the north Cross Fell. Below, in the valley, the hamlet of Hanging Lund was once the scene of bloody reprisals, nine men being executed by Henry VIII's troops following the ill-fated Pilgrimage of Grace in 1537.

On our way back we passed Hell Gill Force but the lack of rain had reduced the waterfall to a mere trickle. We finished the day in style at Moorcock Inn.

Distance about 13 miles.

Thanks for your support.

Route: Smithy Gill Bridge / Swarth Fell (681m) / Wild Boar Fell (708m) / Little Fell / High Intake Gill / Pendragon Castle / High Seat (709m) / Gregory Chapel / Hugh Seat (689m) / Scarth of Scarths / Hell Gill Bridge / Smithy Gill Bridge.

Map: OS Explorer OL19 Howgills & Upper Eden Valley

Meet at 9.45am for 10am start at Smithy Gill Bridge (GR.776965), Parking on the side of the B6259 road near the bridge. Leave the M6 at junction 37 and follow the A684 via Sedbergh and Garsdale to the Moorcock Inn then trurn left onto the B6259.

A good tramp around the upper Eden valley hills. Distance about 12/13 miles on reasonable tracks for the most part. The route can be modified to suit the conditions there is a low level return route along the Eden valley. Our ETA at Pendragon Castle is between 12.45pm. and 1.15pm. if anyone wishes to join the walk at this point.