For a few hours three weeks ago I’d completed the Far Eastern Fells. Then I hadn’t, missing the summit of Sour Howes. Today was a revenge mission, a walk with Tracy to bag Sour Howes and reclaim the completed badge. On a sunny August Bank Holiday Monday we had a pleasant drive to Kentmere to start our walk which would take in Sallows and Sour Howes. I’m determined not to embarrass myself by missing the top again and have 2 phones with OS map apps and a paper map and compass today.
Garburn Pass
I’m confident I know the way to Garburn Pass from the parking field. Up the little hill follow the road round to the left then look for a right hand turn. For once I’m right but it doesn’t stop me from checking the map a couple of times. We begin to climb and despite Tracy’s previous misgivings she is doing well and taking regular stops to decrease her heart rate. The pass is a steady climb full of imported rock with the occasional stream or other wet part creeping across the path.
The most exciting thing that happens on the way up is finding a Golden-ringed Dragonfly on the path. We take a photograph and move it off the path. The dragonfly decides it doesn’t like its new surroundings and flies away down the valley. A nice break to an arduous climb for Tracy.
Sallows
We reach the junction between the Garburn Pass and path to Sallows. It hasn’t rained much so should be OK. There would usually be a bog and a pool of water on the path. A couple of hundred metres in it kicks up and gets steeper with a bit of an indentation to step over too. Tracy has a rest and admires the views towards Yorke and beyond.
We reach the top of Sallows still in the same place it was earlier in the month. Tracy likes the lake behind her and get a couple of photos. Now for the part I messed up last time.
Sour Howes
As we are coming down from Sallows we see a runner coming up. He is doing pretty well and is followed by another runner a few minutes later. Tracy thinks I’m itching to run and leave her behind but I’m quite happy making sure I do the job properly. As we approach Sour Howes I’m totally confused. How did we miss this part last time? Possibly because there weren’t people partying on it? OS on both phones confirms we are in the right place.
We get our photographs taken and decide to head down to the pass behind Sallows. A more circular route but without the climb back up and descent down. It doesn’t quite work out to plan with a barbed wire fence to be navigated before hitting the pass. Tracy doesn’t complain as she ducks under the spiked wire. We are back on the main path and soon get back to the Sallows/Yorke crossroads. I’m tempted to ask if Tracy is interested in another peak but think better of it and we start down the pass.
Heading Home
On the way home just after Barnard Castle there is a bit of slow traffic ahead and we catch up with a magnificent Triumph convertible. It isn’t very good on the hills but once of the flat it corners magnificently and soon leaves us behind. The picnic basket and headscarf are good period pieces and we have a bit of chat how it could’ve be Queen Elizabeth and the Duke Of Edinburgh out for a drive. It ends a nice day on the hills bagging Wainwrights on the final countdown.
Summary
New Wainwrights bagged Sour Howes
Wainwrights left 18
Northern Fells
Great Sca Fell, Brae Fell, Meal Fell, Great Cockup, Longlands Fell, Binsey
North Western Fells
Castle Crag
Southern Fells
Slight Side, Cold Pike, Harter Fell (Eskdale), Hard Knot, Green Crag, Lingmoor Fell, Black Fell, Holme Fell
Western Fells
Starling Dodd, Great Bourne
Central Fells
Loughrigg Fell
Eastern Fells
Completed
Far Eastern Fells
Completed
Companions: Tracy
If you enjoyed reading this blog I’m sure you would like others in the Wainwrights The Final Countdown series.
