Nidderdale & Washburn Walks
Ouster Bank
Date: 2nd May 2005
Distance: 8.6 miles
Ascent: 1103 feet
Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
With: On my own
Start Grid Ref: SE118710
Walk Summary:
A good circuit of Fountains Earth Moor including a visit to the trig point on Ouster Bank and great views of Gouthwaite Reservoir on the ascent from Ramsgill.
Route Summary: Ramsgill - Bouthwaite - Lulbeck Head - Ouster Bank - Sype Land - Bouthwaite - Ramsgill
Pictures:
1. Gouthwaite Reservoir
2. Looking back to Ramsgill
3. Sypeland Crags
4. Looking over the moor to the heights at the head of Nidderdale
5. The trig point on Ouster Bank
6. Lul Beck
7. Gouthwaite Reservoir again
Walk Detail: This walk was my third visit to Nidderdale in as many days and I had much the better weather of the three days. It was a really lovely climb up from Ramsgill and I had to stop regularly to look back at Gouthwaite Reservoir in particular. Upon reaching the fork in the path just past Lulbeck Crag I decided to take the right hand fork walk my planned circuit anti-clockwise. With the Sypeland Crags sitting impressively on my left I headed up the track until I reached the junction past Lulbeck Head. From here I followed the path a short way eastward so that I could look down towards Roundhill and Leighton Reservoirs.
Turning back in the direction of Ouster Bank I left the path to follow the wall over Black Gutter Head to the trig point on Ouster Bank. For much of the way I was kept company by a small bird, perhaps a pipit, who flew ahead of me on the wall.
Although there was no great depth to the views the summit of Ouster Bank was still a good viewpoint and I could clearly see Meugher, Great Whernside, Little Whernside, Dead Man's Hill, Rain Stang and Great Haw. At this time, before the CROW Act came into force, I was conscious of the fact that technically I was trespassing so did not linger too long by the trig point.
I walked back down to Ramsgill the way I had climbed up enjoying once again the views of Nidderdale and Gouthwaite Reservoir. This was a very easy and enjoyable walk enhanced by the fine view though were I to do the walk again I'd definitely have to incorporate Sypeland Crags and the rocks marked as Jenny Twigg and her Daughter Tib.
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