Consett & Vale of Derwent Naturalists' Field Club Wild Boar Fell 29Th

Consett & Vale of Derwent Naturalists’ Field Club Wild Boar Fell 29 th March 2014 Map :- Explorer OL19 ‘A’ Walk Leader :- Cyril Wilson assisted by Lewis Pilbrough Wild Boar Fell takes its name from the fact that wild boar used to roam in the valley. Tradition has it that the last boar was killed here in the 16th century. The walk up onto Wild Boar Fell began at Aisgill Farm ( SD773969 ) on the B6259 south of Kirkby Stephen. The path led west up under a viaduct of the Carlisle- Settle Railway, (built in 1876) and then north beside a wall onto Angerholme Wold. The area was dotted with fenced sink holes scattered across the limestone pavement We made a brief stop here among the limestone humps before continuing up the oblique path on Yoadcomb Hill to High Dolphinsty. Here we turned south along Scriddles ridge to the Nab with its view north-east across the valley to distant High Seat. The escarpment edge we were climbing along was of impermeable millstone grit. Sue and I ran up the slope in an effort to be first to the top. When we reached a cairn we realised we had not arrived at Wild Boar Fell; the trig point was further on. Moving across the marshy ground Sue beat me to the point. We all had our lunch round the shelter between 1300hrs and 1315hrs. Brian looked as if he was going to be blown away in the very strong wind. Wild Boar Fell at 2336ft asl. is at map ref. SD758988. We had covered 3.09 miles by then; most of it uphill and at times in mist. Just below we could see Sand Tarn where Sharron and I swam on an earlier visit. Returning a short way along the track we turned at Blackbed Scar to arrive at Yoadcomb Scar where a number of stone ‘men’ whose origin is a mystery, stand sentinel on the cliff edge. Our way then followed a fence to Swarth Fell overlooking a lake which has no name, and doesn’t appear on the map. There were large black scars to our left where the peat had been disturbed. Sue and Jane leant against one section of fence and it collapsed. They survived without a scratch fortunately. This section of the path was undulating (where have I heard that description before?) Having followed fences and walls we eventually came to a quarry and here joined the B6259. There was evidence of major repair work where the hillside had come down and blocked the railway some time ago. The distinctive drainage channels were in a regular pattern on the slope. After walking about a mile down the road we turned onto A684 in order to reach the Moorcock Inn at 1630hrs. Everyone had to take their boots off when going into the bar. This was not a popular requirement; the owners could have had a tiled floor instead of a carpet, in a place often frequented by many muddy and wet walkers. We covered 9.94 miles on the walk at an average moving speed of 2.3mph. It was good to see Len back walking with us again and to welcome more new members. Richard, driving the coach, arrived with the ‘B’ party to pick us up at 1730hrs. and head for a break at Barnard Castle before travelling home. Compiled by Lewis Pilbrough..

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