Monday 3 November 2008

An afternoon on Wetherlam

Walking conditions in the lake district couldn't have been better with the warm sunshine and light winds.
A great day for a wander up Wetherlam 762m.
Our walk started in Tilberthwaite valley through oak woodland and working National Trust farms. This valley has a lot of industrial history as copper and slate were mined here mainly in the late 1800's early 1900's. A few Larch tree's can still be seen on the upper fells, these were grown for use within the copper mines as floor supports as there were many levels within the mines. The copper seams ran in vertical lengths into the mountain side some of the mines go as deep as below sea level. Lakeland Green slate was also quarried in the hills and sledges were used to transport the slate down, these were dragged by sturdy fell ponies. The quarrying industry is still a profitable business in this area.

Quarryman "Robert Fell" with "Pimpo".
Langdale Pikes.



Tilberthwaite Cottages were originally built for the copper miners.
Kathy

No comments: