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Sheepbone rake, High Crag

By Hugh Stewart January 14, 2019 Leave a Comment

An obvious landmark looking south from Buttermere, and a route by Wainwright, although probably best left till spring or later!

From Buttermere the bridge at the Mere outflow is down at present, although stepping stones, if it’s not too wet, are fine on the left, or take the Scale Bridge route. The “climbers path” of Mr W, “120 yards past the wall in the Wood” does not exist here, but going up diagonally from here to a top forestry track leads to the path and the stile, then under a dripping crag and round to a metal gate and into Burtness Comb.The path leads to a stile and continues up. Cross the Beck when you want and by a small crag turn up into the rake, broader at the bottom than apparent from a distance.Boulders abound, then scree then grass higher up. Sheepbone buttress does not look appetising for a rock climber in January.

Over High Crag and Stile to Red Pike in mist, decided to try a new route down. The fouly eroded path to the Dodd Saddle, then the path from here left, curling round the Dodd and suddenly doubling back, as per the OS map, traversing then descending roughly to meet an infant Near Ruddy Beck, and following this down roughly, (not as per the OS) with some better diversions in the heather each side, through a wall by a wood fence and down on its left side through birch then oak, still pretty rough and not per the OS, to a Holly near a bridge over the Beck and back. Interesting ascent, awful descent, and I suspect the same in reverse! Over 6 miles and 3000ft ascent, it took me nearly 5 hours.

The obvious diagonal rake seen from near the National Trust Car Park
The definite path above Burtness Wood, with the “dripping” crag ahead
Crummack water from the rake.
The small crag lower right where to turn up.
The rake entrance.
Sheepbone Buttress
The descent path round Dodd, clearly seen on a spring day (in February!)
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: sheepbone.gpx

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Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations

24 walks into the hills surrounding the historic and iconic Settle to Carlisle railway, based on the stations between Settle and Appleby. The area has some of the finest walking of the north Pennines: the Craven district around Settle; the Three Peaks area; Dentdale, and Mallerstang and the upper Eden valley.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Mountain Biking Adventures: Multi-day Routes in Northern Britain

Over the last two decades, mountain biking has developed enormously as a “sport”. We greatly admire the technical and athletic capabilities of modern day mountain bikers and recognise that many excellent guides have been written and custom-built trails set up. In this guide we try to reopen a sense of adventure and wilderness to mountain biking, providing multi-day routes with a remoteness, continuity and “arc” missing from many modern guides with their focus on day and half day outings.

UK £13.95 ( inc. P&P)

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Settle to Carlisle – Hill Walk with Return by Classic Train Route

With over 22,000 ft of ascent in 105 miles set out over 8 days, this walk sets out from Settle, taking in the classic summits of the North Yorkshire Dales, Howgills, Eastern and Northern Lakeland Fells, to arrive at Carlisle. The return journey to Settle by one of the classic train journeys. Illustrated with photographs and route maps.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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