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Four members of the Harrogate Fell and Dale Club celebrated the hottest day of the 2010 year by enjoying a walk in Barbondale.
The day was sunny and bright and hot. Starting from Blindbeck Bridge, we made our way to Bullpot Farm, best known for its potholing and access to the Ease Gill system, the longest (47 miles) and most complicated cave system in the UK.
Passing Bullpot of the Witches, we made our way to Ease Gill and started a clamber up to Ease Gill Kirk, which provides dramatic photographic opportunities. Following a short coffee break, we followed Ease Gill to a second waterfall that is not normally accessible because any water makes entry too slippery for safety. This day, however, after a long dry spell, it was safely entered and explored. Leaving this, we crossed a bridge and began a slow, hot, ascent of Crag Hill, reaching a point where Great Coum, Gragareth, Whernside, Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent, Morecombe Bay, the Howgills, and the Lake District could all be viewed comfortably. The descent was rough in many places but a faint track provided some comfortable footing for some of the way.
A visit to the Barbon Inn, a 17th Coaching Inn, for cups of tea and cold drinks brought the day out to an end.
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