Me doing the leading and a bit of exploring beyond my normal routes for delivering NNAS courses.
Straight up the track to The Calf from the car park by the Cross Keys Tavern. From here we struck off the NW spur and along to Simon's Seat with a detour to Fell Head where we could see the M6. From Simon's Seat we dropped down sharply to the river and then up a stream gully and onto Hazelgill Knott and back to the Calf. Then across to the Dummacks and along the ridge above Cautley Spout and back again. 20.6km, 1220m ascent
Mixed conditions with strong wind and some off piste steep ascents and descents.
- the individual takes part in the planning and leadership - I led the day and made it up as I went along. Mindful of the time in terms of routes.
- navigation skills are required away from marked paths - A few off piste sections requiring some rough navigation.
- experience must be in terrain and weather comparable to that found in UK and Irish hills. Howgill Fells. A much under rated mini mountain range.
- knowledge is increased and skills practised. Practiced some timing & pacing and introduced my companion to a few navigation tricks (you don't need to twiddle the housing to get a bearing!)
- attention is paid to safety - on the steep ascents and descents.
- five hours or more journey time. Moving quite fast with little faff and took just over 6 hours.
- adverse conditions may be encountered. Brutally cold strong wind, slippery frozen turf.
- ascent of a substantial peak would normally be included in the day. Numerous peaks in the Howgill Fells including The Calf.
Area :
The Howgills
The Howgill Fells are hills in Northern England between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, lying roughly in between the vertices of a triangle made by the towns of Sedbergh, Kirkby Stephen and Tebay.
