Swaledale Outdoor Club

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Walk from Bowlees in Teesdale

Bowlees Visitor Centre has often been a meeting point for club activities. It is well situated in the Dale, with free parking, toilets, cafe and access to 'Gibson's Cave'.

On this occasion there were ten walkers, plus dog Jess. Conditions were bright and clear, with a stiff breeze to dissuade any potential 'dawdlers'.

We set off, pausing to take in Low Force, before crossing the wynch bridge. Since my last visit a notice had appeared, "one person at a time". Come to think of it, the centre of the bridge did feel a bit dodgy! We ascended up onto Birk Rigg with views of the meandering Tees below to our right, Cronkley Fell to the left and, on reaching maximum altitude for the day at 548 metres, Cow Green Reservoir, the origin of the Tees, ahead. Surrounded by these views, a sun trap in the form of a convenient rocky outcrop, revealed itself just in time for lunch and was gratefully exploited.

The latter half of the walk proved to be the more eventful. As we set off from our lunch stop we encountered several snow fields, well 'field-lets' then! The more juvenile members in the group could not resist playing snowballs, whilst the more mature ones (Jess the dog) proceeded with due contempt.

With no visible sign of injuries, we passed over the summit and headed sharply down to Merrygill, and the Tees. It was at this point that our pioneering section leader, Ian, with a future walk taking shape in his mind, had a spirited idea. Why cross the river by bridge, when you can really test your equipment out and wade across. An entertaining and courageous attempt was witnessed by onlookers, but it transpired that even section leaders cannot walk on water! Alas, Ian emerged from the river bank un-phased, but drenched from toe to crotch, at least I think it was that way round!

An un-communicated, majority vote meant that we stuck with the original plan and stayed on this side of the raging torrent. That said, there were plenty of streams to negotiate and pole owners made full use of them. The return route took in the ever- impressive High Force and another photo opportunity. The river side path brought us back finally to two concrete sheep(!) and Low Force.

Thirteen miles was covered and enjoyed by all, and no doubt even more by those who headed straight off to the pub.

Mike Palmer

Last Modified: 7 May, 2003