free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
For once my day off coincided with a fine forecast so I decided heading a little further afeild than a local walk was in order. I've had my eye on this route for a while mainly due to the lack of dog restrictions and an excuse to visit the amazing High Cup Gill again. I arrived at the small village of Murton, huddled in the shadow of the Pennines, on a perfect morning with the peace broken only by the bursts of distant gunfire from Warcop firing range. Where as I appreciate the necessity of 'live firing' exercises and the need of an out of the way place to do it I do feel frustrated by having what looks like some brilliant country to the East of here declared out of bounds to free exploration. This doesn't mean you can't look at it however and it provided good interest as I set off up into the fells, eschewing the track in favour of a nice grassy groove.
Delfekirik Scar by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Vale of Eden by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Murton Crag by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
I was soon hot on this breathless morning and by the time I rejoined the track my fleece was in my pack and I was breathing hard. The brief respite in steepness was enjoyed before I set off on the first of today's diversions and headed in the direction of Murton Pike. A bit of huffing and puffing later I emerged onto the summit to be greated by a truly stunning vista A wonderful view up and down the Pennines was complemented by, across the Vale of Eden, the Lake District fells strung out for inspection on this beautiful morning. Best was of all was the huge inversion developing over the Dales with Wild Boar fell poking it's plateau above the clouds. I lingered quite a while taking it all in, what a morning to be alive
Wild Boar Fell by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Looking South East from Murton Pike by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Murton Pike by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
I eventually dragged myself away towards the days main business of bagging a Hewitt. To say that the route towards Murton Fell's barely distinguishable summit was a bit dull after the view I'd just savored was an understatement. The ground underfoot wasn't to bad however and I maintained a fairly straight line up to this unimpressive "summit". Best thing on offer, apart from the stunning feeling of total isolation was the impressive bulk of Mickle Fell rising to the east complete with attractive morning mist on it's slopes. Unlike with Murton Pike I didn't linger and made a beeline for the head of High Cup Gill.
Mickle Fell by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Murton Fell with Meldon Hill behind by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Mickle Fell from Murton Fell by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Lake District from Murton Fell by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
This, employing hindsight, was a mistake given I quickly was surrounded by interminable peat hags in all directions.
Fortunately It had been dry for a while so the risk of sinking without trace was reduced significantly. Every time I managed to make some higher dryer ground I could spy the Curricks on the escarpment above High Cup, unfortunately I could swear they were getting further away not nearer
Hughie was also becoming increasingly disgruntled with events and by the time I hauled myself out of the last of the hags and onto some rough heather he decided he'd had quite enough of this fell and decided to refuse to move.
With me being in no mood to carry a filthy West Highland Terrier who has recently completed the Wainwrights and therefore fit as a lop, a discussion took place and all was well as we made it to better ground and the brilliantly constructed curricks.
Colourful Swamp by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
The Horror! by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
I descended towards High Cup over more rough ground, still better than what I had been through however, as slowly this natural wonder revealed itself. Even if you've been here before this place takes the breath away, words and pictures just don't cut it, you'll just have to visit yourself if you haven't allready.
Currick on Murton Fell by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Curricks on Murton Fell by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Approaching High Cup by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
High Cup Gill by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Northern edge of High Cup by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Looking down High Cup by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
I had lunch at the head of the Gill. A cooling breeze was blowing here but nothing a fleece didn't solve. For the second time on this walk I was dazzled with the view on offer and quite honestly if I had nowhere else to be I could have stayed for hours. Time, tide and picking children up from school wait for no man however so I dragged myself up and set off along the Southern edge of the Gill back towards Murton.
Crags by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Walking along the Southern Edge by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
I was an impressive walk along the Southern Crags as you'd expect but eventually this came to an end and I set off a broad but boggy track towards Trundle Gill. The going was now supremely easy and I made fast progress down to the beck, slowed only by an area where trees are being replanted being fenced off necessitating a bit of back tracking.
Trundale Gill by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
I finished the walk by returning to the car via the path that skirts the base of Murton Pike which was a tad rough in places but overall quite nice. This was a strange walk with the main top to be bagged being distinctly underwhelming but with the diversions being first class. One to recommend but if bagging Hewitts isn't your thing I'm sure you can fine easier ground from Murton Pike to High Cup.
Roman Fell by
Anthony Young, on Flickr