Present: Dave B, Dave W, Iain M, Phil, Ding, Christine B and Laura C.

Also seen: Lester.

It was a grey start to the day and the river Wharfe was high after recent rain but good to see some had managed to find the vital layby.  Apologies to any who didn’t but ended up somewhere completely different by following the incorrect reversed Grid reference!  We managed to get away just on time, making good time to Bolton Abbey, the section being completely flat and most unlike a hill walk.  The stepping stones were submerged so there was no split of the party crossing the river.  Thereupon some up and down was to be had, but on concrete – hardly right for a Mountaineering Club but appreciated by many.  It’s a popular area for walkers and a few were about as we steamed past the Café.  Not long after, we left the ‘improved’ path for a proper path (no concrete).  Still no sign of the promised sunlight and little sign of the Oaks supposed to have been planted at the entrance to the Valley of Desolation – still, the old Oaks looked fine.

We were generally on schedule, peeling off the main path for the rough streamside path leading to a fine waterfall at whose base was the planned spot for elevenses (at 11:15, often it’s 12!). The path upstream is very rough for a while and would have been impassable on the previous day but after a while the once upon a time desolation was left for the track through the plantation and onto the moor.  Time now not to put the world to rights as the track gently climbed to the nearest point for Simon’s Seat.  The skyline was dotted with Gritstone outcrops and we headed for the highest on a typical peat and rock trail with blue sky away to the NW.  Scrambling to the top of the Seat revealed splendid views with the moors and hills to W and N in sunlight, and an explosion of ‘mushrooms’ to the E.  Time then for lunch in the rocks while the back edge of the cloud edged a little closer.

Away next on the flagstoned path for Lord’s Seat – this was rather slippery as sounds of people leaving the path behind me testified.  Soon the fine noble outcrop, devoid of boulderers on this grey day, was reached and this became a proper Dave Bone walk for a while as we headed N alongside the wall then through the heather to a wired off break in the wall.  This was negotiated by various means, over and around (slim build an advantage) before heading downhill in deep rushes.  Finally the sun made its appearance and the afternoon was transformed. One more obstacle before the official beginnings of a path was obtained – a teflon coated stile.  Easy going then past farmyards and fields on the way to the Wharfe.  The wall adornments of one Garden caught the eye, the straw and twig stuffed head and arms was one thing.  The twig stuffed ‘chicken’ complete with red wattle was even better in the arms.  The ensemble was completed with a pair of impudent gloves.

We then enjoyed a long section of riverside path lit by low sunshine with many squadrons of ducks about.  Crossing the road, we regrouped for a break by the bridge at the entrance to the Bolton estate.  Back on the improved path again down the east bank, we stopped to admire from a distance the waters raging through the defile of the Strid.  No one was at least tempted to try to long jump!  The Schedule was running tight so the party split into the fast and slow at Harrison’s Ford Seat (not the famous one), the fast aiming to catch any sunset colour at Bolton Abbey. We did make it at the right time, but now the cloudless afternoon was our undoing and there was no colour, the nearest puff of cloud passing away to the North as a grey smudge.  Still, some silhouette photos were attempted until the ‘slow’ party caught up.  Iain opted to return as for the outward journey, whilst the rest were dragged a short way up the hill to return down the East bank and finally back to the cars in the last of the twilight at about 16:30.

Here we found Lester lurking in an unmarked car on stake out.  He had arrived about 20mins late so had completed a shorter round of the Strid with a side excursion to the Valley.  Many thanks to those who came – it was dry all day and mild, and turned out right in the end.

The title was true in 1836 but a misnomer now – on the popular area of Bolton Abbey & Barden Fell. Riverside (impressive just after heavy rain), woodland, hill, moor and some grit outcrops. Mostly easy going on good paths (though Bolton Estate describes it as ‘hard’), even improved for disabled access, though it’d need a paralympic champion with good brakes to make it.

Head for Bolton Abbey, perhaps via Skipton on the A59 – at the roundabout at Bolton Bridge, turn right on the B6160 for Addingham, but park in layby on the left after 200m, GR526071. A handful of free car spaces may be found on the old road before the Devonshire Arms complex – but not behind its walls – there’s a “Procedure” in place for unauthorised vehicles. Note the Bolton Estate charge £7 (2013) per vehicle in their parking. Allow 1.5hours from S Manchester. You’ll need a collection of maps but most of the route is on Landranger 104, all of it on OL2. Meet in time for a 10:00 Start. Distance about 12miles.

Route: Follow Dales Way North, passing the Abbey in the sun, take bridge or stepping stones according to level of sense and keep to the low path past the Wooden Bridge to the road. Turn right then left onto a track flanked by some nice old Oaks. Follow side path to bridge over Posforth Gill and view the waterfalls by the rough path to the second footbridge at the mouth of the Valley of Desolation (Information boards will tell you of its history). The path on the left bank leads to a gate and out onto the moor – full of Grouse, some sing falsetto. Taking a boulder strewn path on the right at a sharp left in the main track, head now for the obvious outcrops –good bouldering but a long way to bring the pad. Challenge Simon for his Seat, but don’t you dare take the Lord’s Seat. A flagstone path connects the two with some “golf balls” on the horizon. More bouldering here but even further to take the pad. Follow the wall North, map OL2 to the fore, but the good sheep track curving left won’t be on it. At a gap, follow another wall NW to pick up a footpath at the edge of open land. Follow this past a Larch plantation to Dalehead Farm, and on to Howgill. Turn right to the road and its bridge over the river Wharfe. The Dales Way is followed south, if river levels permit, to Barden Bridge. Now pick up the left-hand bank wheel chair roller coaster, which takes one through the Strid, a remarkable feature but do not be tempted to jump. We pick up the outward route and if timing is right drop to the stepping stones again by sunset. Potential for a good photographic composition here, before turning off to take the left bank back to the cars.