Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club
Walk & Event Reports
Sunday 30th April 2017
A Walk
Kentmere Horseshoe
12 Miles Grade 1
Leader: Jenny Saint
Report & Photos by
Peter Flynn
If ever there was a system for a comparison of walks, Jenny’s Kentmere Horseshoe would come high up in the Premier League. This was an exceptional walk with views that were amazing. We could see all the major hills in the Lake District, from the Scafells, Gable, Skiddaw, Helvellyn and so on in a great circle; we were slap bang in the middle. It was slightly hazy which was a pity – could be really something early on a summer’s morning after rain when the air is crystal clear. 13 of us, plus David’s dog Sam, who is obsessional about chasing sticks and stones, set off and despite a bridge repair blocking the main route in to Kentmere via Staveley, we made it in reasonable time to Kentmere and were very relieved to find the farmer’s field open for parking. The initial part of the walk took us on a steady unrelenting climb to the oddly named Yoke, then to Ill Bell and afterwards on an excellent though very undulating series of paths to the summits of Froswick, High St., Harter Fell and last, but by no means least, Kentmere Pike where we all had to climb an awkward wall to touch the trig point. After that a steady descent back to the village. To judge from the state of knees, lungs etc., we climbed the equivalent (in stages) of Kilimanjaro at least, possibly Annapurna. The great worry we all had was where we would get suitable refreshments: we were not down till gone 5pm and as most places shut, for some bizarre reason, about 4pm the only serious alternative would be a motorway café. However, someone – no idea who, but deserves a special medal or club citation or whatever – saw a notice advertising tea, coffee and cakes at a house a few yards from the car park. Enquiries were made and a few minutes later we were sitting round a table, with Sam sitting in the stream, in the most delightful private garden, (unfortunately I had packed the camera away by this time) with the most beautiful lemon drizzle cake I have ever tasted. The lady in charge told us she shuts when she gets fed up – bit different from the other establishments we tend to come across. A brilliant walk, lovely company and a superb day out. Many thanks to Jenny for planning and leading it.
Peter
