Ski Club of Manchester Cumbria Weekend — Muncaster Fell — Saturday 18th May 2024

Reporter: Brian Beardsall

Twenty-one had expressed an interest in this walk but in the event thirteen turned up at the meeting point described by Dave. Notable absentees were Steve Wardle and Jim, due to Jim’s injured back, we wish Jim a speedy recovery.

The weather was fine and farm and we set off towards Eskdale Green and climbed gently up onto the fell. The dogs were off their leads and Patty, on her first walk with SCoM, was obviously enjoying it. We had an early tea stop after about an hour and sat and stood around admiring the view. The gentle climb up the fell gave us marvelous views to right and left, a perfect May Day.

We stopped for lunch at the top and looked over the sea to the Isle of Man, or at least at the clouds covering the island, and down to our right we could see Sellafield power station.

The dogs were subjected to their usual summit photo session and then we moved off dropping towards Chapel Hill and into the Esk valley, joining the Eskdale Trail bridleway. Walking along here, your correspondent, engaged deeply in conversation, caught a foot under a root and fell headlong into a pile of dead gorse. No harm was done, except to his self esteem and we continued on without further mishap.

Half way along the bridleway we met Paul and Liz who had not managed to book their tickets for the Proms and gave up and were doing our walk in reverse. (It appears they got a good signal at the top and managed to get their bookings). Past Muncaster Head we crossed two lovely stone bridges over the Esk and made our way back to the cars, happy that the forecast rain never appeared.

Thank you Dave, for organising yet another really enjoyable walk.