Training Walk - Alpine Trip

Since I'm off the Stubai Alps on 6th July for a 2 week hut-to-hut tour I felt that I should get up very early and get out with a bit of weight in the rucksac and do a few miles to break-in my new Alt-Berg boots in preparation for the trip.  The meadows are still all-yellow with buttercups and at least at the start the weather was fine and sunny.  My usual training route takes me up to Dale Head then over to the Reeth to Tan Hill road then up via Little Punchard Gill onto the tops at Whaw Edge.  The view from up there is really geat - looking out over Bowes Moor to the North and looking back North East across Arkengarthdale to the maze of stonewalled fields surrounding Hill Top Farm.

Looking South West from Whaw Bridge

Curlews & Lapwings everywhere and occasionally Snipe & Oystercatcher as I progress along past Great Pinseat past the remains of the lead mining pits until turning down North by Tottergill Pasture & Hungry Hushes to get back to the road at Spence Intake.  By now it had clouded-over and the wind had picked-up - nevertheless the lovely yellow meadows were still gleaming as I went down to Whaw & hence home via Low Faggergill.

Looking South from Whaw Bottoms