Gatescarth Pass. CONFIRMATION NOW NEEDED.

[*Big Beast*]

i have just recieved this email from the LDNP.

Walna Scar and Garburn Pass have been down graded to a restricted by-way so they now have no vehicle access.
 
Stile End is an UCR (Unclassified County Road) and has no restrictions on it at the present time.
 
The Gatesgarth route is the only route using the permit system and these can be acquired from:
http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/index/enjoying/outdoors/green_roads/green_road_gatescarth.htm.
 
Regards
 
David Gibson
Rights of Way (Planning) Officer
Transport and Spatial Planning
The Courts
Carlisle
CA3 8NA

but this means the Old Coach Road is open to us as well, so all in all we have this + Gatescarth + Style End & there are 7 lanes around the camp site including Tilberthwaite that i have maps for

[shoggyv6]

was looking forward to garburn aswell but i suppose i can live with doing the rest.

[*Big Beast*]

I think now we know it`s only Gatescarth that`s restricted we can plan to get everyone back into their own trucks for the other lanes. maybe drive to a carpark near the start, then do a run back in couple of SWB`s to collect the other cars then meet up for the other lanes. how does this sound ?

 

Got a CB, and the more driving we do the better as far as I'm concerned, Tilberthwaite looks fantastic

Can you just confirm it's only Gatescarth which has the 100" restriction and if thats the case will the saturday be swb vehicles only all day (ie one long round trip) or will we be returning to base for lunch where we can swap into our own motors for the other lanes?

 

[shoggyv6]

sound's fine mate i ain't got no problem's with that.

[rayjay]

im a bit suprised at the loss of further lanes in the lakes as some of them were still availiable last year so shame but this will still be a trip not to miss, also for any one interested here is a link to the official pdf on which lanes still are open in ldnp area 
http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/gtga_dr_list.htm?callback=1&keyword=BOATs&department=Corporate&category=Other&month=3&year=2007&hidesearch=true

[*Big Beast*]

very bad news i`m afraid. permits were obtained but only for 8 trucks as GLASS have booked trucks in for this date. To make it worse 4 permits for us were cancelled (they thought it was for motorbikes). There is some GOOD news however. All 12 trucks on our list can have permits for the SUNDAY 3rd August. This has been booked and the permit will be issued 1 week before.

It`s thanks to rayjay that we have these permits for the 3rd, some early morning phone calls, cheers Ray.

i hope this does not cause to many problems for people, it would appear that due to the feature in a 4x4 Magazine most dates are booked through to September. There are odd slots for 4 trucks etc but as we are a group of 12 the 3rd August was the first available date.

This means that the Saturday will be laning around the camp site, there are enough to keep you happy all day.

The Sunday will be Stile End then Gatescarth Pass & if you survive the pass we`ll nip up and do The Old Coach Road before heading back to camp. I am staying on til Monday so anybody wanting an extra night round the camp fire is welcome to stay to.

The other plans stay unchanged, roast pig, etc.

[map-man]

That is a shame and would mean me becoming a maybe for that weekend as it's very close to my annual week away in the Isle of Man and money will be tight.   However, as someone in a lwb, this won't impact the passes etc so I will have to see a lot closer to the time to confirm my attendance.

[northumberlad]

Realy sorry but I can't make it in August all of our leave has been banned in August  apparently there is something called the olympic games on & it's all engineers on deck for the duration I hate working in telly sometimes

[shoggyv6]

well it doesn't affect me i will also be staying over on the sunday night too.

[*Big Beast*]

Compulsory reading
Guidelines for vehicles and drivers, Gatescarth Pass permit system 
These Guidelines must be read and understood by the driver of each vehicle.
New for 2007:
Vehicles with wheelbase over 100 inches are no longer permitted on this route; and
4x4 permit holders have to start driving the route before 1:00 pm on the permit day. This is to ensure you, and the Lake District National Park Authority staff present on the day, are off the Pass at an appropriate time.
Advice to all users
Ride and drive slowly. Gatescarth is a very popular route for walkers, pedal cyclists, and sometimes horses
The route reaches an altitude of 590 metres (almost 2000 feet) and weather conditions can be severe at all times of the year. Carry appropriate extra clothing and weatherproof equipment. There is no mobile phone contact on the pass. At worst you may have to walk out. Any accident would require specialist recovery
One of the attractions of Gatescarth Pass is that it has retained the same features and surface that it had when the main users were horse and cart. The usable surface of the route is less than two metres wide in places
A minimum of mud-terrain tyres are a necessity to avoid damaging loss of traction
It is not a route for novice 4x4 drivers. Depending on weather conditions, type of vehicle and experience of drivers, the 3 km crossing of the route can take anything between two and six hours. There are sharp and steep bends on both sides of the Pass with steep drops in places. The consequences of slipping off the track here are severe. Because of this it is arguably the most difficult route to drive in the Lake District National Park for 4x4s. For comparison purposes it is more difficult to drive than Walna Scar or Garburn Pass. It is a route for experienced drivers only
If forward momentum ceases for any reason, stop and re-assess the situation before attempting to continue. Wheelspin must be avoided at all costs. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from other vehicles in your group.
All vehicles must keep strictly to the track. Please do not drive into bankings as this destabilises them and risks them crumbling into the track. Running off the track and spinning wheels creates ruts into wet or drainage areas which affect drainage patterns and attract water onto the track, causing softening and erosion of the surface. Choose your line carefully and stop to assess the route if necessary.
All Wheel Drive Vehicles
The route is not appropriate for tarmac orientated saloon type vehicles or 4 wheel-drive vehicles such as the Freelander or RAV 4. Vehicles with wheelbase over 100” are no longer permitted on the Pass. 4 wheel-drive, with centre differential locking or equivalent (in gearbox), two speed transfer gearbox, good ground clearance, robust suspension, good, strong, front and rear recovery points and under-body protection is necessary.

Whilst vehicles with locking axle differentials will be allowed, they should not be locked on the tight bends as this seriously reduces the vehicle’s ability to turn the corner, or causes damage to the surface of the track. Remember that when turning, the wheels on an axle need to rotate at different speeds. There is risk of causing body damage to a vehicle and getting stuck on a boulder or in a tight steep bend.

Travel in pairs and carry a tow rope or straps, but maintain a gap between vehicles so that one vehicle may be free to assist another if it gets stuck, and to avoid the risk of vehicles sliding into each other. On the north side there are two stone-slab bridges that are easily disturbed and great care should be taken to ensure vehicles drive over the centre and do not dislodge the stone slabs or supports beneath.

Ascending from the south side (Longsleddale): This is the side with the sharpest and steepest bends. The surface of the track is especially fragile and all drivers are requested to be gentle on the throttle and to have great care for the track surface. The most experienced drivers in the best-equipped vehicles should go first, and others should be prepared to take a tow through a bend from a vehicle ahead, rather than increase the disturbance to the track surface on bends. The camber of two of the bends means that some vehicles lose articulation and then grip. Consideration has to be given to the correct approach speed to allow momentum to carry the vehicle through the bend without causing the excessive  over-steer. The aim should be to get round the bends without stopping or reversing.   
Descending the south side of the pass can be slippery under braking in wet or frozen conditions, and reliance on brakes disturbs the fragile track surface. Under braking some vehicles have given drivers concern as they slide out of control on the straight downhill sections and on some bends. The approach to each bend should be carefully considered to try to avoid the need to reverse for a second go.
Ascending from the north side (Mardale) is a very long climb with a useful break half way up. The track is very rough and stony. There are some very tight hairpin bends to negotiate on the upper section. Drivers who are not used to these conditions will find the track a challenging technical drive.
Descending the north side calls for careful overall control and knowledge of vehicle width and where your wheels are. This is because of the drops on the outside of some of the tight bends. Try to drive down without having to reverse.

[*Big Beast*]

because of the date change there is now room for 4 SWB`s for this event, real sorry to lose the original 4 but there is now 4 spaces for August 3rd.

[craig]

That's very tempting, especially aftyer reading the warning post.  I'll let you know as soon as I can.

[shoggyv6]

come on craig you know you want to.

[craig]

I know I want to.  Just got to sort some child arrangements first

[shoggyv6]

don't ask the grandparent's just demand they look after the little un and the same for elliot's dad.