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Returning from my trip to the North East, I was again looking for something to break the journey up. The map suggested Bink Moss (a Hewitt but actually part of Mickle Fell in the non-forbidden area) was the hill I was closest to passing on my way back to Appleby.
I couldn't see a better starting point than the high start at Hargill Bridge so around 4.45pm I set off from there on a damp and misty evening.
The walk is very reminiscent of a lot of the walking in my local Trough of Bowland. Good shooting tracks to gain height and then tough, often wet and boggy pathless heather on the higher slopes.
I followed the track initially from Hargill Bridge until I came to a ford. The right of way goes off to the left here and looked quite a muddy path so I opted to stay with the shooting track as it gained height towards the right past a shooting hut and into the mist.
- Hargill Bridge
- Good walking on the Estate Track
- At this dip in the track the right of way went off to the left. I continued on the track to the right.
- Shooting hut comes in to sight!
Once the track came to an end it was time to branch off onto the open moor. There were no paths to speak of, just intermittent trails that seemed to lead nowhere. Eventually I came upon a small stream which seemed to offer the easiest progress alongside it.
I followed this for a while and it did occur to me that in this kind of weather it may be impossible to find the summit of the hill. I convinced myself to keep going though with the thinking being that eventually I would hit the fence line and from there I could follow my nose right or left to the highest point beside it and look for the summit cairn/marker from there.
The terrain wasn't too bad. It was soaking underfoot but not in a way where you thought that you were going to sink into the bog and get stuck and I eventually hit the fenceline just at the point where it sharply turned North - indicating that the summit was near.
- Misty conditions on the open moor
- The fence line near the top
I looked all around but couldn't see a marker or any sign of the wellies that were supposed to crown the pole marking the top.
Just when I was about to give up I caught a glimpse of something in the distance. Could that be it? Yes, yes it is. An unusual top and really the only point of interest Bink Moss has going for it.
- The wellies marking the top
From here I decided that I had been fairly lucky to find the top and it was probably for the best if I followed the fence back to the right of way path to the west. However, as is often the case, the area surrounding the fence was actually the boggiest ground, so I retreated back to the wellies and took a direct line down from there hoping I would meet the small stream which would take me back to the good Estate Track....which worked out perfectly!
- This little stream/dyke was a good guide and offered good walking beside it.
- Estate Track comes back in to view
It was now a simple case of following this back out of the mist and back to the car. A very easy little walk all in all but certainly not one I will be rushing back to do!
- Selset Reservoir in view
- Hargill Bridge
- Hargill Beck
