The walk will be looking at the age and type of the rocks in the area and noting the important fault line which runs along the Glenderamackin river dividing the Skiddaw group rocks to the north from the Borrowdale rocks to the south. All these rocks can be seen in the building stones of Threlkeld. We will start looking at a garden wall and proceed through the village, looking at the building stones, to the east towards Gategill Farm, formerly a lead and zinc mine. We will stop at the building contractor business run by Ken Hebson who has given us permission to look at the excellent collection of rocks he has in his yard, mainly local but some from further afield.
At this vantage point, the Glenderamackin valley is visible and both the truncated spurs of Blencathra and the ‘glacial slump’ that is Threlkeld Knotts will be explained.
If there is time we will proceed up the ghyll above Gategill Farm and discuss the origins of the Lead and Zinc that used to be mined there.