Author Topic: TR Hick Cup Nick, wild camp on Backstone Edge Sat 4 Aug 18  (Read 2045 times)

April

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We got the train to Appleby in Westmorland on Saturday, we'd been wanting to go and see High Cup Nick and pitch up there for quite a while but it is quite a high level spot to camp so it had to be pretty good weather and it was forecast to be not too bad. We were relieved to reach Appleby because the train had been ten minutes late leaving Carlisle, it had a problem with one of the engines and every time it stopped we wondered if it would get going again. It felt like we were on the Honister Rambler bus, that journey also has some uncertainty around actually arriving at your destination. We had a look around Appleby first and said hello to some ducks who rushed toward us. They thought we had food for them.

Greedy ducks who went hungry


The church in Appleby


It is a pretty little place and the locals were all very friendly. We then walked back up to the station and crossed the A66 and onto a footpath that went through a wheat crop field. We were pleased to get of it onto the lane leading to Hunriggs, we were following "A Pennine Journey" a LDW from Settle to Hadrians Wall but we were using it only to Dufton then following The Pennine Way to High Cup Nick.

Backstone Edge, Murton Fell and Murton Pike in view


It was overcast at first but very warm with no wind low down. The cloud had been low on the hill tops but this lifted during the morning.

Beefy on the way to Greenhow


The route was a mix of footpaths through farmland and woodland. All very pleasant, it was bit confusing in Flakebridge Wood and Viewranger came out a couple of times so we could check where we were.

At Dufton Townhead, we joined the Pennine Way leading to High Cup Nick


We got to Townhead at 11.40 and carried on for a while looking for a water source for our lunchtime brews. We found one where Billy's Beck crossed the track and we sat for our lunch looking at the fells of Lakeland. The sun had appeared and it was getting hotter. We wondered how Pavel Paloncy was getting on. He was trying to break the PW record and he was due in Dufton by 18.20, we were hoping to be able to cheer him on as he went by us later.

Over to Lakeland


Dufton Pike


A check of Pavel's tracker and he was a bit behind time. We set off again and it was hard work in the heat, we fell like snails inching upward toward High Cup Nick.

A barn below Gregory


Gregory seems to be the name of the hill according to the map!

Looking back down the track to Dufton Pike


There were more people about here, all on the way to High Cup Nick. The footpaths from Appleby to Dufton were less populated, we'd seen only 4 people up to Townhead

The first sight of High Cup


This was a bit of a wow moment when it came in view. It really is something, the photo doesn't do it justice.

Interesting geology here


There are two paths along here, one that goes very close to the edge and another that is further away from the edge and is paved in places.

High Cup Nick


The view from HIgh Cup Nick


Beefy at High Cup Nick


We explored High Cup Plain and then started climbing toward Slegistone Band. We wanted a sunset view but we also wanted to be able to see Pavel. We tried to work out what time he would pass below, we thought it might be about 6pm.

We spotted this little fellow


Murton Fell from Narrowgate Beacon


We walked toward Narrowgate Beacon but we wouldn't get a good sunset view from there so we carried on and eventually found a view of where the sun would set on Backstone Edge near a cairn with a shelter. It was a bit windy and too rocky to pitch there so we walked east again to find somewhere.

The MSR on Backstone Edge


We found a pitch that was a few minutes walk from the sunset view. We would be able to see Pavel from the cairn in view in this shot. It was a five minute walk to get water, brown peaty water that didn't look very nice.

Beefy inside the MSR, Murton Pike in view


We had our tea then had some wine and had a rest, we were shattered. We checked Pavel's tracker and the forum for info and it seemed Pavel had stopped at the A66 near Middleton.

We took some cheese and crackers with us to the cairn and shelter to watch the sunset, it was really cold in the wind so we were pleased there was a nice shelter.

The start of the sunset


Another shot of the sunset


Cloud had build up over the Lake District fells

The last sunset shot


We finished the rest of our wine back in the tent and went to sleep, what a grand day it had been and a nice sunset to finish. Shame about Pavel, third time lucky we reckon  O0
Day 1 was Appleby - Hunriggs - Flakebridge Wood - Greenhow - Townhead - Bow Hall - High Cup Nick - Watch Hill - Slegistone Band - Narrowgate Beacon - Backstone Edge 18.5km with 700m ascent
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beefy

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Tremendous O0
Great pics and write up Ape 8)
Shame about Pav, at least we got a sunset and high cup Nick was definitely the high of this walk ;D
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Ridge

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Lovely photos April, I'm not surprised that there were quite a few people about, it is a popular spot.

pleb

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Well ta for inviting me along  >:(
Thats a joke btw, not in good shape 4 long journeys. Great place, innitt?
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vghikers

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Fantastic area and grand pics, one of our favourites in the North Pennines. A wise choice for the pitch, the ideal is to reach High Cup NIck early or late and get up to Backstone Edge or Murton Fell before the hordes arrive. Backstone Edge is a lot better for favourable pitching ground though as I recall.

karl h

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Great pics April. Really glad you got the weather after last weeks washout O0
High Cup Nick is a fascinating place to visit

Dovegirl

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Great photos April    :)    High Cup Nick looks spectacular

April

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Great pics and write up

Ta  :)

I'm not surprised that there were quite a few people about, it is a popular spot.

We did think it might be busy with it being school holidays

Well ta for inviting me along  >:(

Would you come and camp with us? No!!! Hope your back is feeling better  :)

Backstone Edge is a lot better for favourable pitching ground though as I recall.

Yes better than Murton Fell, rougher ground and the view wasn't as good; we thought Murton Fell was a bit dull but don't mention it to .... er yourself  :D

High Cup Nick is a fascinating place to visit

It is  :)

Thanks Dovegirl  :)

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Seferix

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Such beautiful photos!
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April

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Thanks Seferix  :)
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