Start from Horton in Ribblesdale (The Golden Lion). It had snowed the passed few days as a storm passed over the UK. The primary target for this walk was Pen-y-ghent (694m). With fresh snow (in May!) Pen-y-ghent looks very dramatic in its surroundings (photos below). The temperature at start was 4C. on Pen-y-ghent the temperature was -3C. The forecast 'feels like' temperature at -7C with 30mph winds. Approached Pen-y-ghent summit from the west. The western slope was covered with snow. When I reached the summit the eastern slope had very little snow. The skies were mostly sunny at noon, when I turned north to Plover Hill (680m). The descent and re-accent to Plover Hill was across a marshy plane. The ground was muddy, marshy and wet. After reaching Plover Hill summit I took a baring off the east slope of Plover descending across Pen-y-ghent Fell on a baring SSE towards Grant's Grave Cairn. This was an off-trail route over soggy marshy moorland. From Grant's Grae Cairn to Blismire House, then turned east to ascend the summit of Fountains Fell (668m). Just before reaching the summit (at about 3:15pm) heavy sleet and hail began to fall for around 20 minutes. Reached the summit of FOuntains Fell, and continued east to Fountains Tarn. Turned back west to descend to the track at Blismire House, then turned south on a stretch of Pennine Way to the south end of Pen-y-ghent, continuing back to Horton in Ribblesdale.
Total Time: 6 Hours 39 minutes; Total Distance: 22.28km; Total Ascent: 1,576m
Planning for this walk included weather forecasts from The Met Office, MWIS, and AccuWeather. There had been snow and high winds (35mph+) across the Yorkshire Dales. The forecast had called for more snow and wintery mix during this walk. However, other than the short hail storm on Fountains Fell, the skies were a mix of mostly sunny and partial cloudy.
Route Planning was conducted using OS Maps App on my computer with details reviewed in 1:25,000, and then printed the projected plan in 1:50,000, which I printed and carried as an A4 print out.
Camping over night in Horton-in-Ribblesdale to turn west from Horton-in-Ribblesdale to ascend Ingleborough tomorrow morning.
Area :North Yorkshire Dales
Includes Swaledale, Wensleydale and the northern areas
Start from Horton in Ribblesdale (The Golden Lion). It had snowed the passed few days as a storm passed over the UK. The primary target for this walk was Pen-y-ghent (694m). With fresh snow (in May!) Pen-y-ghent looks very dramatic in its surroundings (photos below). The temperature at start was 4C. on Pen-y-ghent the temperature was -3C. The forecast 'feels like' temperature at -7C with 30mph winds. Approached Pen-y-ghent summit from the west. The western slope was covered with snow. When I reached the summit the eastern slope had very little snow. The skies were mostly sunny at noon, when I turned north to Plover Hill (680m). The descent and re-accent to Plover Hill was across a marshy plane. The ground was muddy, marshy and wet. After reaching Plover Hill summit I took a baring off the east slope of Plover descending across Pen-y-ghent Fell on a baring SSE towards Grant's Grave Cairn. This was an off-trail route over soggy marshy moorland. From Grant's Grae Cairn to Blismire House, then turned east to ascend the summit of Fountains Fell (668m). Just before reaching the summit (at about 3:15pm) heavy sleet and hail began to fall for around 20 minutes. Reached the summit of FOuntains Fell, and continued east to Fountains Tarn. Turned back west to descend to the track at Blismire House, then turned south on a stretch of Pennine Way to the south end of Pen-y-ghent, continuing back to Horton in Ribblesdale.
