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A RIDE ON WILD BOAR FELL

Wild Boar Fell

Wheelbase Lake District Sales Assistant Andrew Barlow has been out riding with his camera again, capturing the classic winter colours of our surrounding countryside; with another change of scenery Andy came of of the Lake District National Park and headed out east. Situated in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Wild Boar Fell is situated on the eastern edge of Cumbria and is the fourth highest fell in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. With cold winds and the odd patch of post-storm-Arwin snow, conditions were challenging but the views were stunning. We’ll let Andrew take up the story…

Wild Boar Fell

 

Aesthetically this part of Cumbria is far different to what we associate the county with, steep, slate covered scree and rough crags are traded for bleak moorland and gritstone.

Wild Boar Fell

 

According to Wainwright the fell gets its name from the animal the wild boar which inhabited the area over 500 years ago. But it would be unusual in an area of Viking settlement for its old Norse name to have disappeared, when the names of many of its features, such as the Nab, Dolphinsty, etc. retain their Norse origin. Wild Boar fell was named in a late-17th century boundary description as both Wilbright and Wilbert fell so it’s doubtful that Wild Boar is the original name. We should instead look to the Old Norse tongue for an original name. Another interesting part of history to say the least.

Wild Boar Fell

 

I would describe the day as the most perfect winters morning, frost blanketing the lowlands, sheep hugging along the dry stone walls to shelter from the biting wind. The climb up the fell was quite straight forward however it’s fairly drawn out. Ascending to 708 meters over nearly 11km of bridleway it gives you plenty of time to take in the views of the Pennines to the north, Howgills to the west and the Mountains of the Lake District National Park to the far west, the east is obscured by the fell as you climb.

Wild Boar Fell

 

Once at the plateau you can almost head back on yourself down towards Little Fell at 668 meters which looks over Kirkby Stephen., however we headed onwards and upwards to start the final approach up to Wild Boar’s summit. Having reached the summit in what I could only describe as a timely manner due to the bitterly cold wind, myself and the rest of the crew were almost grateful for the 20% incline with ourselves being so, so cold. We huddled around the summit cairn as we often do, sharing out sweets to reward our inner child and to induce us with a sugar rush to make it down the descent which leads on to an eventful end to this short story.

Wild Boar Fell

Wild Boar Fell

 

We come to a crossroads after the first part of the descent; faced with two options, with the first to head a very long way down or, arguably much more fun, to take a shortcut off the fell and keep us in good time with the remaining daylight hours and most importantly the pubs opening hours. The plan was agreed; we would take the short cut. I think had it not been for the wind chill of around below 2 degrees we would’ve happily taken the long way round.

Wild Boar Park

Wild Boar Fell

 

The descent was a mixed bag of ice, snow and bog. Heading over the ice really kept you on your toes, not that I could really feel mine and required copious amounts of concentration, something that I would say that isn’t in our abundance within the group that I ride in. After two fallings off a piece we finally reached a section of fell where we could really open the taps and let gravity do all of the work, the snow capped Howgills forever in view. What a time to be out and about on two wheels.

Wild Boar Fell

 

After one snapped chain and a few road miles under our belts we were greeted by the smell of smoke of the open fire at the Fat Lamb Country Inn at Ravenstonedale for toasted sandwiches, chips and a well welcomed hot drink where we defrosted and laughed about our slight mishaps on the days ride. Another day in paradise, right?

Wild Boar Fell

Wild Boar Fell

 

Photos by Andrew Barlow