Tuesday, 21 September 2010

Conistone and Upper Wharfedale

On Saturday September 18th a few of us from the Otley Methodist 1812 Group had a walk from Conistone (near Kilnsey) up to the summit of Caplescar Gate and then on towards Kettlewell before returning back to Conistone along part of the Dales Way. The pictures below taken on the walk are captioned where necessary.




The Methodist Chapel and Outdoor Centre in Conistone




Sheep being gathered for market.




The village square.










The first part of ourwalk went up The Dyb. This is a dry limestone gorge, 'Gurgling Trough', also known as The George, The Gill and The Dib or Dyb.










Tree growing out of the wall.






















Bull Scar



































An awkward section but nothing like the "Bad Step" on Crinkle Crags.




The junction with Bycliffe Road





We then headed up Coniston Turf Road towards the summit of Capplescar Gate (1,680 feet).





















View down Wharfedale





View up Wharfedale











The summit





















The old lead mines in the area.





Signpost near Langcliffe Pot.













View westwards to Littondale.





Start of the return leg along the Dales Way.












The Wharfe shimming in the sunlight in the valley.




A Swaledale sheep watches us going past.




First sighting of Kilnsey Crag from Swinebar Scar.





Harebell in the grass.




Scot Gate Lane.






Wassa Hill Radio Communications Tower.






Descending Scot Gate Lane with Kilnsey Crag in front of us.


Trees full of berries.










Kilnsey Crag.




Memorial in Conistone Churchyard to six young men who lost their lives in Mossdale Caverns. They were of David Adamson aged 26, Geoffrey Warren Boireau aged 24, William Frakes aged 19, John Ogden aged 20, Michael John Ryan aged 17, Colin Richard Vickers aged 23, who rest up the hillside in Mossdale Caverns where they died 24th June 1967. 'I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my strength' is the inscription. These young cavers were sought for extensively by the Cave Rescue Organisation at the time but were never found. Because of the dangerous water levels in the caverns it was decided to close these by blocking off the entrances and the bodies were left in the caverns as a permanent resting place.





Interior of St Mary's Church, Conistone.




Coffin carrier.






Church tapestries.











"Mouseman" pews.





Exterior of St Mary's.