Baugh Fell, Yorkshire Dales

ChrisJB · #1 (**permalink**) 16-03-2009, 09:46 PM

Has anyone been up Baugh Fell in the Dales? If the weather is decent on Saturday, I might bomb up to Garsdale in the car and do it. I plan to set off from the Garsdale road about two and a half miles east of Sedbergh, and climb via Ringing Keld Gutter, perhaps descending down Near Gill Laids.
From all directions and on the map it looks a beast and was just wondering what it is like.

Regards, Chris

The Woodman · #2 (**permalink**) 16-03-2009, 10:28 PM

One of my favourite places Chris and have been up many times over the years once from Ringing Keld Gutter and a couple of times from Bluecasterside. You probably won't see many people but the views are good from Knoutbery Haws. An approach from the north is good from Rawthey Bridge up the river past Needlehouse into Uldale. Follow Rawthey Gill to the top. Red Squirrels if you're lucky, waterfalls, dippers and a grand day out.

If you're up to it, knock off Cautley Spout as well!

The Woodman · #3 (**permalink**) 17-03-2009, 07:38 AM

Checked my diaries and one last comment - keep your eyes open for merlin!

Try the ham and eggs at the Cross Keys at Cautley (a temperance pub) if it's still open.

ChrisJB · #4 (**permalink**) 17-03-2009, 09:23 AM

Thanks Woodman. I know the Cross Keys very well and it was open last year as I recall. That area round Sedbergh I am very fond of, but Baugh Fell is a glaring omission and I've set myself a target to go up it this year. Seeing a Merlin en route would be a bonus as well.

Regards, Chris

ChrisJB · #5 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 03:54 PM

Bagged it today Woodman. I was on the summit plateau for 7:30 am Thanks again for the pointers. No Merlin alas, but stacks of other moor birds.

Regards, Chris

The Woodman · #6 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 04:00 PM

Nice one, Chris and well done. That was an early start, bet it was cold up there. It certainly was here, a good frost too.
I can almost see the western end of Baugh Fell from my house 23-4 miles away to the W. At 676 metres, did you ascend via Ringing Keld Gutter in the shade?

ChrisJB · #7 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 06:17 PM

Yes, from Ringing Keld Gutter. It was a decent climb really, not too taxing. It was frosty as well, especially out of the sun. Just as I set foot on the summit plateau I walked into the first rays of morning sun.
There were stacks of birds on the moors, with loads of singing Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Curlews performing their joy flights. On the top of Baugh Fell, there were lots of Golden Plover as well. I went for a bit of a wander on the expansive top and there was much of interest, with the tarns, lots of cairns and some rocky areas. My descent was straight down the southern face of the fell and involved a little morsel of trespassing. Mind you, I'm glad I did, as I stumbled a pair of Buzzards sat calling in a tree. I also got a good view of a Green Woodpecker down in Garsdale (there seemed to be a few yaffling today).

Baugh Fell from Longstone Common at dawn

One of Baugh Fell's summit tarns

Danny Bridge, Garsdale

Regards, Chris

diggleken · #8 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 06:44 PM

Brilliant pics and story Chris - thanks for sharing a cracking day out!
My highest was Wharmton yesterday, in shorts!
Meadow pipit and first wheatear of the year was good, plus some interesting mosses and spiders - not quite as super as buzzards though.
Get trespassing!

Cheers
Ken

ChrisJB · #9 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diggleken

Brilliant pics and story Chris - thanks for sharing a cracking day out!
My highest was Wharmton yesterday, in shorts!
Meadow pipit and first wheatear of the year was good, plus some interesting mosses and spiders - not quite as super as buzzards though.
Get trespassing!

Cheers
Ken

It's years since I've been up Wharmton. Well done on the first Wheatear. I've yet to see my first this year.
The trespassing almost backfired. I thought it would take me to a right of way, a fair distance from a farmhouse, but I joined the proper path right by the farmhouse. I was certain the farmer was going to come out and unleash the dogs. Anyway, I got lucky and tip-toed past unnoticed. It was so early, perhaps he was still in bed.

Regards, Chris

The Woodman · #10 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 07:10 PM

Very nice indeed Chris. I'm impressed with the early start and images.
Danny Bridge is a regular stopping place for me, great place to brew up. There's a cracking cave a few yards downstream of the bridge on the left bank. Bit of a tight entrance but some lovely formations not too far in. About sixteen years ago leachate from the tip in the old quarry at the top of the road near the junction was making it a little unpleasant but there's no sign of it now. No sign of the tip either, it has grown over well.
The Adam Sedgwick geological trail is good too. The only place I've seen graptolites.

Keep it up and I'm really glad it worked out for you.