Barkin Fell
South East - The Lune & Dentdale
ESE - SE + Nil Wind
Overview
An excellent site consisting of a grass and heather covered ridge that extends for 6km.
The carry up is steep in places and sustained however the effort is well worth it.
The flying can be either silky smooth or gut wrenchingly rough.
Important!
There is a number limit of ten people on the fell, flying or otherwise.
Do not walk through, land in or over-fly the field marked as 'out of bounds'.
No flying is permitted within two hundred metres of the Combe (NE bowl) during the nesting season.
Do not obstruct the road or field gates.
No school use.
No scratching near to sheep and lambs - stay well away from all livestock.
Access
Car park OS Grid Ref: SD682863
Getting There
Leave the A65 at Kirby Lonsdale and travel north approx. 4km to Barbon to the east of the A683. Pass through Barbon village heading out on the minor road towards Gawthrop and Dent. This road passes up through Barbondale with the main ridge of Barkin rising steeply on the left. Limited parking can be found in the side of the road before it drops steeply towards Gawthrop.
Getting to takeoff
From the parking area, follow the footpath through the gate into the field beyond. Contour around the hillock and once through the next kissing gate, look for a gate on the left and go through it.
With the fence on your right, head for the small enclosure of trees up on the fellside.
A set of vehicle tracks mark the route up.
The take off area is close by the small enclosure or above the next wall out on the open fell.
DO NOT take off or overfly at low level the field immediately to the right of take off (looking away from the hill).
Permission to use site
Foulsyke Farm / High House Farm
Flying
Hazards
Beware of a marked wind gradient and do not be tempted to take off low down in less than ideal conditions.
The area behind the ridge is full of deep gulleys and getting blown back is not an option!
The site can become very thermic particularly over areas of scree.
Military jets use the area mid week and have been known to fly along the valley at below ridge top height.
The site can be affected by sea breeze that causes the wind to rapidly switch such that it then blows over the back.
A windsock in the landing area is definitely recommended.
Wave does occur occasionally when it can be very bouncy or very nice depending on the day.
Take Off
Any where from the small clump of trees upwards.
It is easier and better to check the breeze higher up so the best take off is above the top wall.
Landing Areas
Land in the bottom or by the Limestone outcrops in the field just by the road.
Avoid the out of bounds enclosure the farmer is not very supportive.
Can be rough coming into land if there is any sort of breeze.
A wind sock is very useful.
Flying
Can be very strong and thermic with wave potential.
Don't flop over the back low down it's a long walk and very sinky.
Excellent evening soaring up and down the ridge.
XC potential
Big ridge with lots of potential, good down wind routes into the Lakes and up along the M6.
The coast at Ravenglass lies approximately 60km away and a more northerly track leads to the Scottish borders.
