Friday 14 August 2015

Beating back bracken and brambles!


Leila (Academy Ranger) here with one of my occasional posts.

Derwentwater from beneath Falcon Crag
I’ve recently been working with Sarah and John of Roy's volunteer team to clear some overgrown footpaths. This is the time of year when the bracken and brambles can really start towering over some of the Trust's more out-of-the-way paths. That isn’t to say they’re not still well used and there were plenty of grateful walkers passing us, particularly those who had just walked through the bracken jungle on the section we hadn’t done yet. In favourable conditions, bracken can grow to a height of 2 metres or more! 


This is the kind of work that can slip down the priority list because it’s not essential maintenance – the paths are still usable and most of the vegetation dies back over winter – but it is greatly appreciated by anyone who has had to walk through bracken on a wet day and it is certainly worth doing. 


Fortunately for us it was a gloriously sunny day. It made for hot work but we were well rewarded with some stunning views of Derwentwater from under Falcon Crag. As ever, the volunteers did a great job. 

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