The clocks had sprung forward and the weather forecast was cautiously optimistic so I took the chance to tick a couple of my remaining Yorkshire Dales Nuttalls. Out of the six to choose from, I picked the nearest two and after a 90 mile drive I pulled in at the layby at the summit of Buttertubs Pass.
Buttertubs has the advantage of being over 1,700 feet above sea level so the ascent of two 2,000 feet summits would be that much easier than a normal Pennine sortie. The first half mile was probably the boggiest of the walk up Great Shunner Fell. Navigation was easy because of the meandering fences up to the summit but a couple of shortcuts could be taken by cutting some corners. I imagined that the route would be devoid of crowds and I only saw six other walkers, all descending, as I made my way toward the top.
Great Shunner Fell summit shelter
The cruciform summit shelter is unusual as at the end of one of its arms is a trig point which is well disguised and could be quite easily missed by anyone who doesn’t know that the summit has been adorned by the usual Ordnance Survey stonework. After taking a few photos I turned tail and headed back the way I came. Back at Buttertubs I crossed the road and started uphill again.
Great Shunner Fell trig point
summit shelter & trig point
As with the other side of the road the early flatter ground was quite boggy but the ascending slope soon escaped the squelch. Like the first leg of today’s walk, a wandering fenceline led to the top.
Great Shunner Fell from Lovely Seat
Lovely Seat is another summit with an unusual summit cairn. I assume that the fell was named before the cairn was built and not because of the presence of an old stonework, but the cairn is a rocky throne which is a grand perch for those with a need for a regal rest and it presents an ideal photo opportunity before the uneventful descent to the top of the Buttertubs Pass.
Lovely Seat's lovely seat!
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