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The purpose of this walk was to bag Fell Head, the only Hewitt in the Howgills I hadn't been up. If the weather had been rubbish it might well have been a straightforward up and down job. But the day in question (remembrance day as it happens), though rather windy, was bright and sunny as one could wish. So in order to prolong enjoyment of the views and the pleasure of tramping along the ridges, the walk was extended to take in The Calf, Calders and Arant Haw. Karl was keen to join me on this one as he has a penchant for the Howgills and Yorkshire Dales. On this walk I could see why.
At Beck House are a couple of camping pods with a small parking area nearby. The farmer very kindly allowed us to park there - what a nice chap!

Otherwise, parking in this area would be a problem. The pods are very new and the facilities look superb. This would certainly make an excellent base for anyone wanting to explore the Howgills over a weekend or short holiday.
We set off walking at 9.30am. Up behind the farmhouse the path is quite muddy but soon improves when it escapes the confines of the beck on its south side. Somewhere here we started a conversation about the unique character of the Howgills and were searching for similies to describe their smoothly sculpted forms. What came to my mind was Harry Griffin's brilliantly apt description of them, in his evocative book
The Roof of England, as 'suggesting sleeping elephants, spread across the eastern horizon' (when seen from the west, of course).
Gradually the path swings north then west to make a steadily rising traverse of Whins End, heading for Black Force.
- Looking across the Lune valley from above Beck House
On reaching the brow a path strikes off up the south-west ridge of Fell Head.
- South-west ridge of Fell Head
This ridge is longer and steeper than it looks, but eventually leads to a levelling marked by a small cairn, then a more gentle and brief ascent to the summit.
- Across the M6 to Grayrigg Pike and Borrowdale from the first, lower cairn on Fell Head.
- North to Orton Scar and Cross Fell.
- The Coniston Fells and Scafell range in distance.
- Summit of Fell Head ahead.
- Cairn on summit of Fell Head
The continuation of the ridge around the head of Long Rigg Beck, on a good, green path, is exquisite.
- Path along the top of Fell Head - very inviting...
- Bush Howe across Long Rigg Beck
- Down Long Rigg Beck
- The steep rise to Bush Howe above Windscarth Wyke
- Trig point on The Calf.
- Frosty path from The Calf heading for Bram Rigg Top and Calders.
Stopped for lunch at the little pass between The Calf and Bram Rigg Top, which was a bit sheltered from the wind.
- View towards the 3 peaks from summit of Calders
- View from Calders across the Rawthey and Dentdale to Ingleborough.
- Arant Haw from Calders. Our route followed the shining path then veered rightwards over the top.
- Down Hobdale Gill to Garsdale
The wind was quite ferocious on the ridge of Arant Haw. Wasn't inclined to stop and take photos on this stretch.

But it gradually subsided as we descended towards Bram Rigg Beck.
- Near the sheepfold in the valley of Bram Rigg Beck
- Chapel Beck
- On the green path above Chapel Beck, looking back to The Calf, Bram Rigg Top and Calders.
- Brant Fell, Calders, Arant Haw.
- The green path to Castley and the Howgill Lane
Reached the Howgill Lane and walked up it for about half a mile back to Beck House and the car. Although it had been very windy on the tops at times, with such clear, sunny views all around we weren't complaining. This had been a splendid, short day's walk on a unique range of hills
