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A catch up report from back in July when Grace (and Hughie of course) accompanied me up Buckden Pike in the Dales. Unfortunately as this was a midweek outing my better half was at work so it was just the three of us.
The weather was wonderful, blue skies and a light breeze, perfect for walking as we arrived at the lovely little Dales village (are there any not lovely villages in the Dales?) of Buckden. The start of the walk was out of the back of the village and past the water treatment plant to access the very pretty ravine that contains Buckden Beck.
Start of Buckden Beck by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
The first of many falls by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
One of the beautiful cascades of Buckden Beck by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
The initial part of the walk takes the form of following the beck till you meet a waterfall and then back tracking slightly to scramble up the left had bank to get to the next level up. The scrambling is very simple and although there is a little exposure it's nothing a normal fell walker would find off putting. If anything a bit more scrambling would have been more than welcome. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful route full of interest and a great way up the fell.
Higher up on level ground by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
A very mossy waterfall by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Soon enough the remains of the mine are reached, here nature has done a grand job asymilating man's efforts with very little of the original devastation still on show.
Looking down to the old mine buildings by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Buckden Gavel mine by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Looking all the way down to Buckden by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
From here interest becomes about the views behind on the fairly featureless upper slopes. This was a stunning day, completely bereft of the haze which, in my limited experience is common in the Dales. Soon the other Dales tops came into view before, rising above it all 50 miles distant, was the Scafells looking remarkably clear (pic doesn't do it justice) and quite magnificent.
A clear view of the Scafells 50 miles distant by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Fountains Fell, Pen-y-Gent and Ingleborough by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
To be honest I'm not sure why Buckden's fell is a Pike, I've never seen it in any views looking remotely Pike like, perhaps that's why someone has put a huge wooden Pike on the summit.
The gentle breeze of the Dale was a touch nippy up here so we lunched on the other side of the wall, taking in more fine views.
Grace and Hughie a'top the Pike by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
The view Northeast by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
The ridge is paved in sections to help keep your feet dry, and limit errosion and progress is quick and easy to the memorial to the Polish airmen who perished on a terrible night in January 1942. The one survivor owed his life to a fox who's tracks he followed down hill, hence the the addition to the memorial. For the moving first hand account of the extraordinary story follow the link below.
http://www.buckdenpike.co.uk/mainstory.htmlThe memorial to the Polish airmen by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
The fox by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
The descent is initially very eroded and following rain this might be a bit of a mud bath, but soon easy grassy slopes predominate and it's a wonderful stroll with views of Wharfedale looking glorious, the locals would say this is god's country, today perhaps it might be
We emerged off the fell at the fascinatingly named Starbotton. Once again a lovely little village but just where did that name come from?
View down Wharfedale by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Cam Gill Beck by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
A Local by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Looking towards Gate Cote Scar by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
All that remained was to cross the lazy river Wharfe and follow the path back to Buckden, all level going through the sylvan countryside. The only disappointment of the day was Wednesday half day closing saw us unable to get an ice cream
Oh well you can't have everything perfect.
The River Wharfe by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Returning to Buckden by
Anthony Young, on Flickr