Thursday 28th March 2024 (rearranged from 20th January 2024)

Leader: Gill Pilling

Photographs: Mike Earl & John Wilosh

Report - Gill Pilling

At the end of March five intrepid Burton Fell walkers defied the weather forecast for yet more rain and set off from Tilberthwaite towards Holme Fell. The mist and drizzle slowly cleared as we ascended Holme Fell from the East side up a delightful path through trees, overlooking Yew Tree Farm. We paused to encourage an erratic boulder to continue its descent to the valley floor… the result of our exertions may be viewed on the BFW website.

Holme Fell summit provides an extensive vista South towards Morecambe Bay, and of course a panorama continuing from the Coniston Fells over the Langdales to the more Central and Eastern Fells, some of which still had a light covering of snow. Having achieved the high point of our walk we meandered down to Hodge Close Quarries to stop and peer into the dark depths of the uninviting waters way below. Avoiding the bogs on that section of the walk was a challenge, fortunately the member of the group who was chief tester of bogs managed to extricate himself before a floating cap was the only part of him still visible.

Our walk continued past the quarries and down to Stang End with lovely views overlooking Little Langdale. The lane then bridleway wandered slowly down into the valley eventually leading to the Little Langdale quarries. We made a slight detour into Cathedral Quarry for those members of the group who were unfamiliar with this lofty cavern.  You could be forgiven for thinking that old Quarries were the main objective for the walk, but no, we enjoyed the flora and fauna and the views even more, especially as our return to Tiberthwaite, over the fell, was in bright sunshine with time left to enjoy a cup of tea at Chesters on the way home.