Sunday, 4th August 2013

 

Walk: Top Mere Road (Track), Buckden Pike, Buckden, Old Cote Moor Top, New Bridge
Start Point: Kettlewell car park Grid Ref: SD 967 722
Distance: 14 miles Ascent: 3,140 feet
Weather: Overcast with some drizzle Time: 6.75 hours
Comments: The weather forecast may not have been too promising but a total of 12 walkers joined the leader for today's group walk. We soon warmed up as we climbed out of Kettlewell on our way to Buckden Pike. The summit was quite busy and we soon started the descent into Buckden. The picnic tables next to the car park were too inviting to pass by, especially as it was just about lunch time. After crossing the River Wharfe we had another climb onto the ridge of Old Cote Moor Top. Eventually it was time to make our way off the ridge via a rocky gully and back to the cars.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Booting up in the car park . . .

 

before crossing the bridge over Dowber Gill Beck

 

Ray battles with his umbrella as we ascend over the moor

 

The rain has cleared by the time we stop for our morning break

 

Fortunately the peat bog is not too wet

 

The stone cross with fragments of aircraft parts embedded in its concrete base
stands as a memorial to the Polish crew of an RAF plane that crashed at this spot
during a severe snow storm in the second World War. There was one survivor

 

It's quite busy at the summit . . .

 

of Buckden Pike

 

A clear path leads us down . . .

 

into Wharfedale

 

An ideal spot for lunch

 

Ascending the opposite side of the valley . . .

 

there are good views back across to Buckden Pike

 

Once on the ridge Pen-y-Ghent comes into view

 

The group gathers at the summit of Old Cote Moor Top

 

Descending to Kettlewell . . .

 

we navigate through . . .

 

a narrow gully

 

Crossing New Bridge back into Kettlewell

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