Garrib three

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Garrib here.

I’m really not quite sure what star rating to give this route – or even whether or not to fail it! I guess it depends on your attitude to variable fell-walking. Most of it was great, or at least good, but two particular sections were horrible, climbing up steeply on pathless, waterlogged peatbog with hard-to-spot hollows full of water. I know it had rained a lot the night before, so that won’t have helped, but those two sections had me swearing, especially after I plunged my foot under water.
The first bad section was soon after Garsdale, where a steep “bridleway” through trees, with a gate that was stuck shut, brought me to another gate which was flooded. From there at Grid Ref 756894 to Grid Ref 761888 was a distance of about 1 kilometre, and it took me 40 minutes. Luckily, another walker was heading that way which was reassuring, but after that I made sure I “shared location” with my son, so he could keep track of me. The next kilometre was slightly less bad, at least it was nearer level, but it was still fairly wet. I certainly wouldn’t go that way on a horse!
The saving grace was the views, especially as I rounded eastern point, and I could see Dent Station, high on the opposite slope, and beyond it, Arten Gill Viaduct on the Settle Carlisle line. The descent to Cowgill became much more pleasant.
From Cowgill I was following the Dales Way, so it was easy and pleasant, with nice views along Dentdale and beautiful wildflower meadows to cross.
The second nasty section started at Swarthwaite on leaving the Dales Way. This was once again a boggy pathless steep climb for another kilometre, with a couple of high ladder stiles which were leaning over slightly. At least it wasn’t quite so wet, but I was looking forward to reaching the Dales High Way. Initially, I continued up the northeast side of the field wall (more bog!) before realising I should have crossed the wall next to the fingerpost, over the ladder stile. It was such a relief to find a proper, easy-to-follow path, even if it was rocky and steep.
Eventually it levelled out and became a wide grassy path around the north and east of Whernside. From here on, the second half of the route was easy, scenic, and much quicker. After a while there were views of all the Three Peaks of Yorkshire. From Grid Ref 757824, where the Three Peaks path to Whernside went from, the footpath infrastructure was incredibly well maintained. The first view of Ribblehead Viaduct was a joy, and the river aqueduct and rail tunnel entrance were also fascinating to see. Also, the spoil heaps from the excavation of Blea Moor Tunnel, across the valley a little earlier were interesting.
I managed to catch the last train home, after a well-deserved pint in the lovely pub at the Ribblehead meeting point, having done 17 miles and several changes of socks!
So, in total, about 10% of the route made me swear, but might be better after dry weather, 20% was reasonable, and 70% was stunning!.

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