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Great Shunner was never really on my radar until I read Paulo's report and Red Peaks comments
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=10192 . Red Peaks walk got me interested and finally today I got the chance to do it. The Pennine way from Hardraw is Easy to follow as it firstly follows an old mine track before entering High Abbotside Common towards Hearne top. Once open ground is reached the well defined path gently rises north along a ridge to reach the summit with the first 4.5 miles completed. Great Shunner is popular, being on the Pennine Way, and several sections of the path have been paved over the boggier sections which makes route finding a doddle. Without the paving it could be a miserable trek in the wet and mist which was now surrounding me. In good conditions there would be some good all round views from the summit but today visibility was down to around 50ft.
Lunch over It was simply a case of following the fence east via Little Shunner Fell and the road Between Hawes and Thwaite. Lovely Seat is next and it is simply a case of heading straight up the hill following the boundary fence until the summit is reached. The "seat" has suffered a bit and is definitely not comfortable to sit on. As cairn building seems to be a hobby round these parts maybe someone might volunteer to repair it.
Now sensible walkers, having bagged the summit, would turn round and head back for the road and solid ground. those determined to complete their planned itinery will turn South to spend half an hour or so bogtrotting over the desolate moorland before reaching firm ground and a good track. The track leads down to Sedbusk passing through Shutt Gate
( misspelt instruction?) and Shutt Lane. Time was short so I simply headed down the steep slopes from two cairns, which are good viewpoints for Hawes, returning to Hardraw via Englands highest above ground, unbroken drop, waterfall, Hardraw Force.
- Path to Great Shunner Fell
- Summit, Great Shunner Fell
- The Buttertubs Pass
- A clear Shunner Fell from Lovely Seat.
- Hawes and Wensleydale from Abbotside Common.
- Hardraw Force