| Wild Boar Fell (708m) |
| Swarth Fell (681m) |
| Baugh Fell [Tarn Rigg Hill] (678m) |
| Knoutberry Haw (676m) |
| Lovely Seat (675m) |
Peaks climbed : Wild Boar Fell (708m), Swarth Fell (681m), Baugh Fell [Tarn Rigg Hill] (678m), Knoutberry Haw (676m)
Total Distance : 27km, Total Ascent : 918m
The starting point was about 20 minutes East of Sedbergh along a random lane with some grass verges so I picked one that looked likely and parked as far off the road as I could. Setting off, it was quite cold so I had my Helly Hansen base layer on, plus my new Odin Jacket, keen to see how it performed. I walked further along the lane before heading left and upwards in the direction of Wild Boar Fell. I was well aware there was no actual path but the going, although steep was not difficult and I made my way up initially following a wall, and then the side of a Gill. The guidebook had suggested aiming for some obvious cairns on the summit ridge and whilst they came and went with the changing terrain, the line was easy enough to follow. From there, the summit was straight on and came reasonably quickly.
There were good views from the summit across to the Howgills, but from the darkening cloud and ever present wind, the visibility wouldn't last. Swarth Fell was visible in the distance, involving a considerable descent followed by the ascent to the summit. By now it was seriously windy and I had to swap my beanie for my Russian Hat and swap my Rab thinnie gloves for the thicker pair. I also added my gilet for warmth, whilst the Odin was doing a good job, I still felt chilly.
The next objective, Tarn Rigg Hill, was several miles away and looking like it would vanish in the mist before I got there. There was a long descent following a wall down to a very wet and muddy plateau, a river to cross which took some doing, finding a good safe place, but eventually I managed it and began the long ascent. I knew that it was directly ahead, following the line of Rawthey Gill which is banana shaped trending towards the summit of the mountain.
With no paths it became a slog through marshy ground and uneven terrain and with the visibility now lost in cloud, I relied on my navigation tools to get me to the top. There is nothing there! Nothing to indicate a summit so I checked with Outdoor Active and sure enough I was in the right place.
It seemed like a good place for lunch so I found a protecting wall against the cold wind and sat down. It was too cold to stay long so I was soon away.
Knoutberry Haw was a short walk along the ridge with a short drop and rise to make it a separate mountain. Bagging the top, I didn't stop, but headed off in a Northerly direction and back towards the car. Navigation was difficult with no view and flat but sloping terrain. I checked my position several times but still managed to drift left. At this point I dropped below the cloud line and (incorrectly) identified my finish point. As I headed towards it, I realised I was wrong so had to bear right to pick up the correct direction and finally came to the foot of the final climb back to the car. Unfortunately there was a river in the way. Finding a crossing point seemed impossible and after ten minutes or more searching, I gave up and found the most likely way through, which of course resulted in both boots being submerged. Never mind, I'd had enough, my thighs had been cramping up for a while and I needed to finish. It was steeply uphill across a couple of fields until I came to the road and I needed to stop because of cramp. Finally I got back to the car exhausted just as it was beginning to get dark. It had been a long day out, a lot longer than expected but it was done.
Peaks climbed : Lovely Seat (675m)
Total Distance : 3km, Total Ascent : 145m
An easy ascent of Lovely Seat from the Buttertubs Pass. Parking is at the crest of the hill and the walk starts almost immediately opposite. Straight up and down, although the summit is out of sight until the first ridge is gained. Cloudy on the top.
