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19th January 2015 - Ingleborough

Walk Details

Distance walked: 9.8 miles

Total ascent: 2150 ft

OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas

Time taken: 6.5 hrs

Route description: Clapham-Clapdale-Trow Gill-Little Ingleborough-Ingleborough-Simon Fell Breast-Long Scar-Long Lane-Clapham

Following recent snowfall I was keen to take the opportunity to get out for a walk in it. The weather wasn't great over the weekend and I suppose I could have taken a chance with it but I was worried about driving down the road I live on. It's on the side of a hill and it doesn't take much snow to make driving on it a bit dodgy. By this morning it was clear enough to be safe so I made the decision to head for Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales and climb Ingleborough. It's a relatively safe route to do in the snow with much of it going across gently sloping grassy terrain. Although the summit of Ingleborough was in cloud while I was up there and I had no view, the sunshine I had while making my way back to Clapham more than made up for it. There were stunning views with the sun shining across a snow covered landscape.

I left Clapham by taking the track to Clapdale Farm. When I reached the farm I went through the farmyard and then down to the valley of Trow Gill. Once out of Trow Gill I crossed the moorland to climb Ingleborough via Little Ingleborough. My route back was down Swine Tail and onto the path across Simon Fell Breast for Horton. I left this when I reached the limestone pavement of Sulber to head for Long Scar. I then made my way down the track of Long Lane back to Clapham.

Route map
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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.

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I've left Clapham behind and I'm on the track to Clapdale Farm. More sunshine about than I was expecting.
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A cold and dark Trow Gill
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The top of Trow Gill ahead and then I'll be into more open country
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Walking up the dry valley above Trow Gill and I'll soon reach the point where I'll be able to see Ingleborough for the first time since I set off. I wonder how it's looking?
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Ingleborough's top may be in cloud but I wasn't expecting this much sunshine and clear skies if the forecast was to be believed. I wonder if it will last?
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Microspikes on. They're not crampons but for the compacted snow and ice I'll experience on this walk they're great to have. It means that I can keep to a more normal pace instead of slowing to a crawl every time I encounter a bit of ice.
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Wow! What a change. Just half an hour after taking that sunny photo and a lot of cloud has spread in. Looking down Ribblesdale and I can make out a distant Pendle Hill.
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Sunshine on Thwaite with the hills above Settle beyond
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Penyghent's summit is free from cloud at the moment
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On a very cold Little Ingleborough
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Whernside across Chapel-le-Dale. Low cloud is forming and blowing up the western slopes of the hill.
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Sunshine on Simon Fell
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Time to head for the summit
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The final climb
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I wasn't the only person up here today but I did have the shelter to myself while I had my lunch
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An icy trig
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Out of the cloud as I start my descent across Simon Fell Breast
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The cloud is flowing across the top of Ingleborough and then evaporating on its leeward side..
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When I look back ten minutes later the cloud is clearing. Sods law that I'm not up there.
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Clear skies over Simon Fell
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I've left the path to Horton for the one to Long Scar and there's a handy quadbike track to follow. The weather has improved and there are glorious views across the surrounding limestone pavement.
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Ingleborough in the clear but note the cap of cloud on Simon Fell
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Penyghent and Fountains Fell
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Finally on Long Scar. A little cairn marks its "top". There are stunning views now with the blue skies and low sun shining across the snow. Looking across to Ingleborough and Simon Fell.
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Moughton Scars, Crummack Dale and Moughton with Penyghent and Fountains Fell in the distance
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Moughton, the hills above Settle in the distance and those around Feizor such as Pot Scar
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Deep snow on Long Scar
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I think it's time I was heading down..
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..by the track of Long Lane to Clapham

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© Alan Kilduff 2016-2023                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
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