Eastern Team
September 2010, by Ade Mills
September saw us finally finish off the work on repairing the path that leads from Stickle Tarn to Harrison Combe.
We finished off the last few small sections of pitching and then set to work on the landscaping. This involved defining a single route through the scree by removing any rocks that were blocking the intended route, and shifting boulders into position to block off any surplus paths.
When all this was finished we put down grass seed and fertilizer. This helps reduce the visible erosion, assists the new path to blend in with its surroundings and also speeds up the process of removing any unwanted old paths.
At the end of the last day our job was to dismantle the shed and flat pack it ready to be flown to a new site at a later date.
Once we had finished above Stickle Tarn we focussed our attentions on the Mickleden path
Left: Pete Pitching
We have already completed a few sections on the path with both the Fix the Fells lengthsmen and also with a National Trust working holiday. As the path had been previously worked on in the 1980’s when techniques were different, much of the earlier drainage work had been done using sections of plastic piping which are difficult to maintain and had therefore become blocked. So as part of our work we have started removing this “flexi pipe” and replacing it with open stone drains, which will be much easier to maintain (with a little help from the lengthsmen).
Above: Leo setting to work on a drain
The drain sites were all marked, with small wooden posts, during wet weather, when it is most obvious where the water starts to flow along the path. By doing this, we can construct the drain, whatever the weather, and be sure that it will be in exactly the right position.
Above: Marking drain sites
A few small sections of stone pitching have also been added in areas where previously it may not have been required. Much of the landscaping has also been altered to make it look more natural and more in keeping with its surroundings.
Above: Old-style landscaping (left) and new landscaping (right)
Towards the end of the month we were again helped out by the Fix the Fells volunteer lengthsmen who joined us on a “work party”. We resumed with the work on the Mickleden Path that we had started previously with them.
Left: Volunteers at Mickleden
The work consisted of replacing a large cross drain that had fallen into disrepair, constructing a couple of metres of pitching leading up to the drain and some re-alignment work to help reduce the width of the path in a few areas. This work was carried out on the lower section of the path, just past the bridge.
To find out more about the work carried out by Nic and his team, return to the Eastern team diary archive
