The Asby Hills west of Kirby Stephen are less frequented than their loftier Howgill neighbours, but are nevertheless in a beautiful corner of the northern Pennines. Aycliffe Fell Walkers headed there last weekend to walk and explore the area, which is criss-crossed by the long-disused railway route that once linked Barnard Castle with Tebay & Oxenholme and the ‘resurrected’ Settle to Carlisle railway.
Numerous limestone pavement outcrops pervade the area, being visible on the skyline wherever one looked.
Club members alighted the coach at various points along Lunedale and headed up towards the frost-covered hills and beyond, intent on visiting the areas of greatest interest: Raisebeck Stone Circle, Great Asby Scar, Middle Busk & Little Asby, Crosby Garrett, Smardale and eventually Kirby Stephen itself.
The sun shone for much of the day but not strongly enough to thaw things out. The local roads and limestone pavements were ice-covered and waiting to catch the unwary and there were several fallers during the morning.
All club members stood to observe a minutes silence out of respect for long-serving and much-loved member Rob Turner, who had died during the week previous; it was fitting that he should be remembered in such pleasant yet dramatic surroundings.
Later, several walkers were fortunate to witness a steam train crossing the viaduct that straddles beautiful Smardale. The locomotive, belching thick black smoke, came thundering over the viaduct as walkers passed beneath. Dozens of photographers were there to catch the moment too.
Afterwards at the Black Bull in Kirby Stephen, the landlord was astounded when so many thirsty walkers entered his bar – and the fish & chip shop next door did quite well too!
