Ingleborough, Simon Fell and Park Fell
9 November 2014
The flat summit of Ingleborough has been one I've
seen many times from the Lake District, both while walking and from the
car. The forecast suggested rain in the Lake District but better weather
further east, so George, Lottie and I headed for the Yorkshire Dales on
our way back to Suffolk, took a train to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, then
walked up Ingleborough, and over Simon Fell and Park Fell back to
Ribblehead. A lovely walk. Still no problems for the 12½-year-old and
some signs of a bit more maturity from the youngster.
Another advantage of this route is the nice gentle ascent, with the 500
metres or so of height to be gained spread over 7km. Here we are fairly
near the beginning, with the typical mixture of grass and fragments of
limestone pavement.
Looking back to Pen-y-ghent
George with Simon Fell in the background - technically most of the
ascent is up the slopes of Simon Fell, eventually moving across to
Ingleborough near the col between the two fells.
Simon Fell with Ingleborough on the left, the land dropping away to Park
Fell on the right
More decayed limestone pavement
Sadly, though the day had started out sunny (if with some high cloud),
the mist came down as we gained height.
Ascending the only steep bit of the walk onto the Ingleborough summit
plateau
On the edge of the summit plateau, looking back to Simon Fell
The summit plateau of Ingleborough
Simon Fell and Park Fell, with Ribblehead Viaduct running across the
picture in the distance
More of the summit plateau
The dogs were not keen to have their photo taken
Later, we reach Simon Fell, and look back to Ingleborough
Heading down to Park Fell
Ribblehead Viaduct starting to get a bit closer
Exploring the limestone pavement
After taking an unsanctioned route through the timber yard, we have
crossed the railway and are ready to head for home.
First a heavy train heads through
Wheels in the car park - these wheels once belonged to a contractor's
waggon used for the construction of the railway. They were unearthed at
Dent Head during clear-up operations following a coal train derailment
in July 1998.
A pleasant walk, with a nice easy ascent, though a slightly less interesting
descent from Simon Fell.
Total distance 14.3 km and 679 metres of ascent in 4 hours 55 mins
Lake District & Yorkshire Dales weekend, November 2014
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