Introducing the new tarp

Following a superb dry weekend bivvying in the Lake District we decided to purchase a tarp for those occasions when we want to keep it basic but may get wet.  I didn't like the thought of stuffing my sleeping bag into the stuff sack in a downpour; it wouldn't be possible to do this and keep the bag dry.  The result was the Alpkit Rig 7.  

 

Last weekend had been earmarked for a tarp adventure; destination to be determined by the MWIS forecast! As the outlook for the Lake District was low cloud, we elected instead to keep it local and agreed on a grand tour of Wharfedale.

 

We set off on Friday evening after work and left the car in Starbotton with a 5 litre bottle of water in the back. The plan was to make big loops, filling our water bottles from springs, in cafes and pubs, and from the bottle in the car as a fall back. This arrangement worked well; we were never far from a source of water. 

 

A cat nap after an early mug of tea and cornflakes

Our first camp was made high up on the hillside overlooking the valley.  Contrary to the forecast, we were soon enveloped in low cloud so the view was hidden from us.  It took a couple of attempts to get the tarp pitched just right as we'd not had a practise run.  The rocky backdrop was perfect for leaning against and we had a foil blanket for insulation from the ground.  The air was full of moisture and there were a few drops of rain in the night, but we remained dry under our shelter.  I was surprised to find that I felt vulnerable under the tarp, a feeling I hadn't had when sleeping completely in the open on our last adventure. 

We spent Saturday romping around the head of Wharfedale.  Our route took us over the top and down into Arncliffe in Littondale, then back over into Kettlewell where we stopped in the tea shop.  Those who've been following my blog since the early days may remember that we dropped into this tea shop for emergency tea and soup on a particularly foul day when we were preparing for the BGR last year.  We were soaked through and I was cold despite being well wrapped up.  After the warm welcome we recieved on that day, I'll always have a soft spot for the Kettlewell Tea Rooms.  On this occasion we were dry and presentable and enjoyed a second breakfast of sausage butties and tea.  The cakes looked delicious so we purchased a couple of pieces of fruit cake to take away for later.

 

From Kettlewell we climbed Great Wherneside via a stunningly beautiful clough following Dowber Gill Beck. The path ended near Providence Pot from where we took a cross country route up to the cairn at the fence bend on the ridge between Great Whernside and Sweet Hill, then headed for the main summit.  Dowber Gill Beck flows over a bed of rock with beautiful formations, natural pools and a series of cascades.  As we followed it's course, the sun came out.  It was cool but a perfect day for exploring and I felt all the stress of work slip away from me.

 

From Great Wherneside we traversed via Park Rash to Starbotton on the Starbotton Road (not a road at all but a bridleway!) for a water refill. Then up to Buckden Pike along Walden Road (another bridleway). I know Buckden Pike as a remote, peat boggy, windy and bleak location but on this occasion it was realtively dry underfoot and had all the benefits of a grassy wilderness. We dropped down into Cray along Buckden rake, stopped for a wash in the gill, before calling into The White Lion:

 

It was a lovely surprise to find the fire was lit, and as seems to be the norm in the dale, we recieved a warm welcome.  Dinner for me was a huge plate of chilli con carne with half and half chips and rice and a generous portion of dressed salad coleslaw and potato salad,  washed down with two bottles of Kopparberg.  Andrew had steak and mushroom casserole with herby dumplings chips and salad, with Timthy Taylors Golden Best.  We'll definitely be going back!

The walk up to our camping spot was much easier than we'd imagined although it did end up being twice the distance owing to the chosen site being occupied by cattle.  Neither of us were keen to share, so we ended up being much higher up than planned, pitching in the twilight, in a somewhat exposed position. 

We only had one pole with us, so elected for a simple tent like configuration this time.  The wind picked up in the night so a bit of extra strapping down was needed but again the shelter worked well and when the sun rose in the morning it shon straight into the entrance.  The wind had dropped and we found ourselves in a beautiful remote spot with stunning views on the edge of Yockenthwaite Moor.  It was warm enough to set off in shorts and we decided to head back to Buckden for breakfast in another of our favourite cafes.

 

Our route to Buckden took us uphill first on a cross country course through grass, bogs and tussocks.  Great training with a heavy pack!  We traversed over to Gilbert Lane then back along Buckden Rake to Buckden.  The West Winds Teashop was closed for the day, but the village store restaurant and tea room was open and we sat outside in the sun for tea and bacon butties.  We were soon joined by several groups of walkers and cyclists and enjoyed the lively ambience.  This time we had Chorley cakes to take away.

 

The rest of the day was spent exploring the west side of the dale.  We climbed over Old Moor Cote Top and down into Litton, then along the River Skirfare (which was almost dried up) to Arncliffe.  From Arncliffe we crossed back over to Starbotton.  On arrival in Litton our path took us straight past the front entrance to the Queens Arms so we stopped for a drink in the pub garden on the way through; well, it would've been rude not to!