Northern team
September 2010 by Paul Delaney
Having finished our joint project with the Southern team on Stake pass we have re located to the bleak exposure of Esk Hause to carry out path repairs on the route from Grains Gill to the famous Esk Hause shelter.
In a complete contrast to the grassy slopes of Stake Pass we are faced with a wide expanse of red gravelly aggregate and poor soils which somehow must be transformed into a sustainable and narrower path able to cope with the increasing numbers of walkers in the area.
Many of the dilapidated and redundant drainage features on the site need re-building or re-locating.
As always the removal of water from the path surface is paramount. Most of the old drains on site are now in the wrong place due to changing ground water conditions or have collapsed completely. One in particular is in such a condition as to render it dangerous to repair as it is now perched above a deep vertical drop!
Left: Drain with rather a steep drop!
A number of methods are being used on the project - the more common stone pitching will be combined with a hand dug ‘soil inversion ‘path where suitable, to provide a mixed surface. So far, with the help of our regular volunteer work parties, the project is progressing on schedule and feedback on the quality of work from the public has been very favourable.
Once again we are grateful for the efforts of our volunteers who have evolved into a highly skilled and reliable work force able to cope with most tasks.
On a recent work party, the team had abandonded the work party due to hazardous weather conditions and had descended the fell only to come across a group of walkers heading upwards. After consultation with the team and some tricky map reading in gale force winds it was found that the group was some 6.5 miles off course and heading in the wrong direction. Following the lengthsmen's instructions they turned around. Later that day the Mountain Rescue teams had to be called out to help another group of walkers in the same area, so well done to our lengthsmen for their sage advice!
To find out more about the Northern team return to the diary archive
