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6
EVENT
REPORT
Society Walk: Arant Haw and Winder
Saturday 26 May 2012
The last time I led this Society walk, in
September 2008, low cloud on the summit
of Arant Haw spoiled the views. I kept my
fingers crossed that the weather would be
better on this second occasion – and so it
turned out.
Nineteen members and three dogs met at the Joss
Lane Car Park in Sedbergh on a gloriously sunny
morning. Setting off up the steep Josh Lane, we
headed for Arant Haw and the fellside beyond,
pausing occasionally to admire the views. We
passed a signpost, pointing to ‘The Fell’ – rather
confusing since there are a number of nearby fells
easily accessible from this particular footpath.
We continued our ascent across the fields to
Settlebeck Gill, pausing under the cover of trees
for some shade from the burning heat of the sun.
We then followed the gill upstream and reached
a stile, beyond which are two wooden seats –
just right to enjoy a rest and admire the views.
Photographs were taken before we continued
our ascent along a steep rocky path. The wind
increased as height was gained, but we battled on
and reached a signpost, ‘Bridleway to Winder and
The Calf’. We followed this path up to the 1,989ft
summit of Arant Haw.
The wind was extremely strong on the summit
and we had to hold on to our headgear tightly.
The best option was to lie down on the summit
to lessen the buffeting from the wind and, at the
same time, do a bit of sunbathing. There were
beautiful views of Calders, The Calf and our next
destination, Winder. My thoughts turned to how
AW loved the Howgill Fells, which he could see
from his home in Kendal. After a short stay, we
descended back down the bridleway with the
wind now on our backs, to reach a col before
ascending another bridleway to the 1,551ft
summit of Winder.
Heading towards Arant Haw
Although of lesser height than its neighbours,
Winder is an excellent viewpoint and there were
stunning views, including the distant Lakeland
fells. Lunch was taken just below the Ordnance
Survey column, where there was some shelter
from the still-strong wind.
After the traditional group photograph was taken,
we left the summit with some reluctance, but
we had an important appointment at 3.30pm in
Sedbergh when a cheque was to be presented
to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the Society’s
beneficiary for this year. We descended a steep
path that zigzagged down the fellside to Lockbank
Farm, where we treated ourselves to their
homemade dairy ice cream. As we did so in the
hot afternoon sunshine, we listened to Geoff, the
owner of the farm, telling us about the history of
the farm and the surrounding area.
Leaving the farm, we took the lane back into
Sedbergh where we met up with Susan Garnett,
the local representative of Cumbria Wildlife Trust,
who was presented with a cheque for £2,000,
the amount raised from this year’s 60-50-40
Challenge. (See also pages 24–25.)
It had been a great day out on fells which AW
loved dearly and a fitting end to another very
successful Society Challenge.
Caroline Nichol – Lytham
Walks Organiser
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