Western team April 2011
'April really is the cruellest month' - Winter update from the Western Team
After being forced off the Mickledore project in early November due to snow and ice we eventually managed to begin our winter interregnum with an urgent realignment of a dangerous bit of riverside path at brotherilkeld in Eskdale. The newly created path on the right takes the route away from the perilously precipitous original line.
(Pictured above: Brotherilkeld riverside before and after images)
To give a little relief from all year round path repair we indulged in a few weeks of hedgelaying in nether Wasdale in February. Along with the estate ranger and some work experience volunteers(one of whom was alarmingly adept for a 14 year old) we tackled a fairly long stretch of hedgelay in a compromise “Cumberland/midland” style.
(Pictured above: A completed stretch of hedgelay)
Back at Wasdale head our regular fix the fells volunteer work party produced a fine photo opportunity by rebuilding this drain at the start of the lingmell gill route to scafell pike [
(Pictured above: Britain’s favourite view from a different perspective)
Further up Lingmell we did some emergency stabilisation work on a teetering stretch of path popular with 3 peakers. This involved burying sleepers along the lower edge of the path to prevent the turf collapsing onto the lower path. It was particularly important to remedy this problem area before people start to walk the route in large numbers again.
(Pictured above: Looking down from above and installing the sleepers)
Already we have been busy filling more helibags for this years major projects which will include mickledore phase 2 (from the breakfast rock upwards), crinkle crags bad step detour (joint project with the south lakes team) and throstlegarth (upper esk riverside route). Once again this involved bag filling in rather hostile conditions although unlike last year the bags haven’t been buried under snow before the actual airlift which is an enormous relief. So as April arrives we bring the shed out of hibernation and prepare to haul ourselves up to the higher fells after a winter of relative ease proving that as TS Eliot asserted it is indeed the cruellest month!
(Pictured above: The view from mickledore in winter)
To find out more about the work carried out by Iain and his team, visit the Western team diary archive
