Randygill Top (624m)

Randygill Top (624m)

Summit: Randygill Top - NY 687 001
Summit Cairn: 624 metres
Walked: 17th November 2012
Distance: 14 km (8.75 miles)
Time taken: 6 hours
Start/Finish: Ravenstonedale
Weather: Cold, very windy, sunny with the occasional hail shower, excellent visibility.
Height gain: 550 metres
Map: OL19

Route: From Ravestonedale, we walked south out of the village to Town Head then along the track passing Kilnmire and up to the enclosure at Thornthwaite. We then followed the path on the south-east side of Wyegarth Gill (valley) to reach the saddle of land at its head. From there we climbed steeply up onto Knoutberry, before dropping down into the saddle at the head of Dale Gill then climbing very steeply up onto Green Bell. This summit is a superb vantage point, with the rounded, unenclosed hills of the Howgill Fells, dissected by steep-sided deep valleys, stretching away as far as the eye could see.

From the summit, we followed the broad ridge south-westwards via Spengill Head and Stockless to the saddle of land below Randygill Top, then climbed up to reach the summit cairn on Randygill Top. The views from the summit are amazing, with the hills of the Yorkshire Dales, Howgill Fells and Lake District mountains all clearly visible. We then waited for the sun to set (in our mountain shelter), and then did 3 hours of night navigation back to Ravenstonedale via Green Bell, Hunthoof Pike, Stwarth then NE down the shoulder of land above Poskey Bottom to Greenside and back to Ravenstonedale for a meal at the Black Swan. The night sky was brilliant with stars.

I guided a group of 6 people along this route, as part of their NNAS Silver Award navigation course.
OL19 map and compass required for this walk. Much of this walk heads across Open Access land, with indistinct or non existent paths in places. Navigation will be difficult in poor weather. The Howgill Fells are remote, high, exposed and navigationally challenging - but fantastic for walking!

PHOTOS OF THE WALK
These photos are in order, and the files are named. Copyright Mark Reid 2012

Great Knoutberry Hill (672m)

Great Knoutberry Hill (672m)

Summit: Great Knoutberry Hill - SD 788 872
Summit Cairn: 672 metres
Walked: 17th September 2011
Distance: 15 km (9.4 miles)
Time taken: 5 hours
Start/Finish: Dent Station (start), Ribblehead Station (finish)
Weather: Sunshine and squally showers; 40mph winds
Height gain: 380 metres
Map: OL2

Route: From Dent Station, I walked up along Coal Road then turned south along Galloway Gate until the first gate across the track (SD 777 875). I then turned east and followed the fence line steadily up across Pikes Edge (very boggy in places) directly to the summit Trig Point. The views back along the length of Dentdale were superb, whilst the Three Peaks were clerly visible to the south. The summit itself is a wonderful viewpoint amidst the high fells of the Yorkshire Dales.

From the summit, I followed the wall southwards to join the Dentdale to Widdale track (old drovers road) at Cross Pits Colliery. I then turned west along this track for a short distance then headed south alongside the wall along a new bridleway (Pennine Bridleway) across Wold Fell to join the bridleway at SD 793 849 that I then followed down to the road at Newby Head Gate. I then followed Black Rake Road (track) to Far Gearstones and then followed the unfenced road to Ribblehead from where I caught the train back to Dent. Almost 5 hours walking and then a 10 minute train journey back!

OL2 map and compass required for this walk. Some of this walk heads across Open Access land, with rough and boggy ground in places. Navigation may be difficult in poor weather.

PHOTOS OF THE WALK
These photos are in order, and the files are named. Copyright Mark Reid 2012