With Grace being away my day off was completely free so I could walk just about where ever I wanted. I, like just about every other East coast Wainwright bagger, have always stared at the huge backbone of the Pennines and thought about climbing them. Well I had decided that I’d finally have a crack this week as long as the weather wasn't going to be apocalyptic.On the Sunday after getting back from the Lakes I remembered that L-Hiking had pm’d me back in January suggesting we meet up for a walk sometime. I thought it sounded like a good idea but my days off haven’t really been filled with many happy wanderings this year so I’d done nothing about it. An exchange of messages and a check of the weather forecast and we were set for Tuesday after I changed my day off.
Following a bout of horse dodging (Appleby horse fair
) we met up at Dufton on a stunning Pennine morning. Introductions over with we decided upon a two car approach with enabling us to do a linear walk from Kirkland back to Dufton.We set off at a nice comfortable pace and quickly got to chatting about hills and walking. Any rests were spent identifying the Lakeland peaks clearly visible across the Vale of Eden, one in particular caused us a few problems but I've since figured out it was Ill Bell viewed through the Nam Bield Pass.
Wildboar Nook by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Looking back towards the Lakes by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Vale of Eden by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Black Doors and Gregory's Sike. by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
It’s easy to see just why Cross Fell has a bit of a reputation as it would require careful navigation in mist, the fact we kept wandering off the path as we were nattering away on a perfect sunny day
should stand as a warning. This part of the world has a beauty and drama almost totally hidden from the motorist speeding along the A66 and it was a very good going just about all the way to the top. We did benefit from the dry weather of late so even the more boggy sections were easily avoided or dry. It was interesting to note just how little erosion there was compared with many Lakeland fells (considering it’s a national trail) on the final pull up to the summit plateau.
On the Way Up by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Looking towards Alston by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
We had a break and a snack in the summit shelter, finally seeing other walkers for the first time during the day. Over the whole day we saw perhaps half a dozen other walkers and only a few of them were obviously Pennine Waysters. I’m really not sure about the claim that 12,000 people a year complete the Pennine way
To say the view from the summit is extensive is an understatement; even with a bit of haze the panorama looking over the Vale of Eden and elsewhere is stunning. It really does feel like you can see the whole of northern England.
Lunch Time View by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The reward for the ascent is a lovely roller-coaster stroll over the largely innocuous Little Dun Fell before approaching the giant golf balls of Great Dun Fell. It’s hard to say just where the top of Great Dun Fell is; certainly the sad attempt of a cairn outside the fence is very unconvincing. We ventured in and approached a likely looking spot that naturally didn't look as convincing once you’re standing there. An opening door and a curious employee ended our exploration and we set off for the final top of the day.
Cow Green Reservoir by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Cross Fell by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Great from Little Dun Fell by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Giant Golf Balls by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Great Dun Fell by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
I must confess my ignorance that the Pennine way crossed another Hewitt and we made it a second spot of a sit down in the wonderful sunshine. We followed the Pennine Way alongside a very dry Swindale Beck with views of the velvety hills of Knock and Dufton Pikes all the way back to L-Hiking’s waiting car at Dufton.
Both of us agreed it had been a cracking day with the two car option working really well (not sure I’d have fancied an eight mile road walk back to Kirkland).
Hazy view towards Wild Boar Fell by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
L-Hiking taking it all in by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The Pennines by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Swindale Beck by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Knock Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Dufton Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Green and Pleasant Land by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
I’ll finish by thanking Geoff for his great company for the day and I look for forward to the next time we can arrange a walk. As a final thought we both wondered about the possibility of a North East/Yorkshire meet up at some time in the future. No idea just what form this might take but if anybody might be interested in getting together for a wander sometime add your thoughts below.
You never know it might be at a NE/ Yorks meet up. As for Ill Bell I'd only just been standing at the Nam Bield pass on Sunday looking at Ill Bell in one direction and the Pennines in the other 
