Photograph Gallery Stage 42 High Birkwith to Airton
Photograph Gallery Stage 42 High Birkwith to Airton, Tuesday 5th July 2011
The Story:
The gang of the 1994 Coast to Coast walk were out on the hills again for a super adventure walking through the wonderful limestone country of the Yorkshire Dales. After being transported by Lil, the love of my life from Harrogate (my own bed was heaven after 7 weeks!) to our starting point we set off and followed tracks to Horton in Ribblesdale before continuing close to the river to Helwith Bridge. Features to keep us enthralled and conversational were Penyghents super profile to the west and the quarrys which are prolific on the east side, all their removed contents now repositioned in the roads, buildings and general infrastructure of Yorkshire. One event of note on the river section was an aerial battle between seabirds and crows. It was quite a scuffle and the noise of the altercation drowned out other sound until the event was over. I did notice smaller birds chasing a seabird too. Get back to the coast you raiders!
From Helwith Bridge to Stainforth we had our only awkward section, a mile of roadside walking before we followed tracks to Stainforth where we called in at the Craven Heifer for a pot of tea and coffee for Dave. Suitably refreshed we climbed on the track adjacent to Stainforth Gill to Catrigg Force (or Foss) a mystical waterfall hidden in a wooded glade. It is awesome down by the falls, visit if you can. From Catrigg we tracked across limestone scar to Victoria Cave, another mystical place where wolves, reindeer and other pre ice age animals once roamed. Today three different beasts inhabited the cave. We used the sanctuary of the cave as a rest point, taking lunch as rain had started to fall, not heavy but persistent. After days of good conditions the weather was changing. On resuming the walk we tracked down to Attermire Scar, one of my favourite Dales places and then continued west to Langscar Gate with Malham our next objective. We intended to follow tracks all the way but it was not to be. After passing Langscar Gate we followed the track and saw a herd of young Holstein cows on the track ahead. With them was one Highland cow and the Holsteins were bullying it, corralling it and one was repeatedly mounting it. Two other Holsteins stood head to head working out which was strongest. As we got closer they saw us and while continuing to bully the Highland they also decided we were sport. In a flash they turned and ran for us. We scampered off the track as fast as we could and to our great fortune we saw a limestone plateau with sufficient grykes to hamper their chase. We hopped our way on the exposed limestone to clear them before tracking back to the track to continue our walk. I kept looking back until they were out of sight and soon after descended toward Malham. We had planned to visit the Cove but time was against us so after Malham we enjoyed a nice riverside walk to Airton. A cracking day.
Strolling Steves Daily Statistics:
Scenery: 8/10 – Beautiful Yorkshire landscape with the Malham area as its jewel.
History: 6/10 – Mainly agricultural and geological.
Interest: 8/10 – Good content.
Track: 8/10 – Very walkable.
Comment: Malham can attract the crowds in summer but for good reason.
The Photographs:
In good spirits as we leave High Birkwith
Old Lime Kiln near Jackdaw Hole
Potential conversion project?
Penyghent
Approaching Horton in Ribblesdale
Horton in Ribblesdale Church and Penyghent
Walking from Horton in Ribblesdale toward Helwith Bridge
River Ribble near Helwith Bridge
The imposing south face of Penyghent
Perhaps? Not sure myself
The Craven Heifer in Stainforth provided us with suitable refreshment
Stepping Stones at Stainforth
Catrigg Force
Near Jubilee Cave
It must be raining
Victoria Cave
Inside Victoria Cave
Looking out from inside Victoria Cave
Attermire Scar
Young Highland at Attermire
Walking across Kirkby Fell
The Holsteins were bullying the Highland before turning their attention to us
Walking in the theatre of Malham Cove
Bridge in Malham
Walking from Malham to Hanlith
Hanlith Hall
Riverside walking from Hanlith to Airton
A good days work done
Great pictures and my favourite places. There’s nowt quite like the Dales!
Brilliant pictures of a wonderful part of the Dales.
Of course the river at Helwith Bridge is the Ribble!
Of course it is Tony. Already rectified thank you.
We have walked many of the tracks covered by this route – your photos are excellent. But eek, I’m glad we’ve never encountered Holsteins in the Langscar Gate area! I can picture exactly the area you mean – thank goodness for clints and grykes! My Dad used to help out a dairy farmer in his youth – the farmer recommended singing to calm cattle. The last time I sang as we walked through a field of bullocks, they all turned and walked away, though that may be more a reflection on my singing voice!
Thanks Linda, the Holsteins were particularly aggressive and the Highland was bullied throughout with the Holsteins repeatedly mounting it.
As for your suggestion I think our tone deaf singing might have just made things worse!
With the cattle as rowdy as that, I think you’re right that discretion is the better part of valour – beat a retreat to safety. After all, you couldn’t allow your 1,000 mile walk to be sabotaged by injury!