Oxnop Gill & Ivelet from Muker, Thursday 24th May 2018
Posted by Steve Charlton on 2018-06-03
Walk Report – Oxnop Gill & Ivelet from Muker, Thursday 24th May 2018
15 members gathered at the Muker car park for this classic short, easy walk. The forecast had been for some sun later in the day but in the event, we were blessed with warm sunny weather for the duration of the walk.
I was joined by Cairan Grogan, of SOC’s Canoeing Section, for one of my favourite Dales walks on a glorious mid-May morning.
In bright sunshine, which was to remain with us throughout our walk, we were soon leaving Buckden and striding out along the Dales Way for the hamlet of Hubberholme, our first objective of the day.
“Every cloud has a silver lining”. I was spared leading this walk on the day which was cursed with poor conditions. I had developed a painful abscess which needed immediate dental attention. Glenys assumed the leadership role and led a small group consisting of Geoff Wall, Paul, Barry and Yvonne on this 8.5 mile ramble.
Three of us walked down to Round How to follow the river to the Station to meet Richard, Pat and Brian. It was perfect hiking weather. Walking past the treatment works we climbed up to Hagg Farm for a quick coffee then on to Old Colburn. We kept up a quick pace as we tripped on to St Giles Farm where we took the diversion along the farm drive to the main road in order to cross the A1.
The banking was still being worked on as we crossed the river and walked along the bank to the cataracts for lunch.
It wasn't just Brian and I on Grinton Moor for the start. In fact there were ten of us! Since I'd planned to begin at the church, we ended up wandering towards Cogden Gill in others' footsteps before joining the route at the Prehistoric burial on Cogden Heugh and walking east along the wall line.
The wind was chilly and there was the odd snow flurry but the weather was much better than expected. The ground was also better than the previous day's snow and rain implied.
As expected Geoff’s memorial walk was well attended; 37 club members in all following a familiar route from Surrender Bridge, climbing away from Gunnerside Gill, then descending to Level House with the return via Mill Gill and its imposing remains of the lead-mining industry.
A total of seven people travelled north to stay at the comfortable SYHA hostel in Glencoe, four of us (myself, my nephew John, Yvonne and Graham Banks) arriving on Monday and three more (Ed Chicken, John and Judith Hallet) on Tuesday afternoon.
