Fountains Fell

Infobox Mountain
Name = Fountains Fell
Photo = Fountains Fell cairn.jpg
Photo size =
Caption =Cairn on Fountains Fell
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pushpin_label_position = right
pushpin_map_caption =Fountains Fell within North Yorkshire
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coordinates_ref=
latd=54|latm=08 |lats=23 |latNS=N
longd=02|longm=12 |longs=34 |longEW=W
Elevation =convert|668|m|ft|0
Location = Yorkshire Dales
Range = Pennines
Prominence = convert|243|m|ft|0
Parent peak = Pen-y-ghent
Coordinates =
Topographic
OS "Landranger" 98 or "OL" 2
Type =
Volcanic_Arc/Belt=
Age =
Last eruption =
First ascent =
Easiest route =
Grid_ref_UK = SD864716
Grid_ref_Ireland =
Listing = Marilyn
Translation =
Language =
Pronunciation =

Fountains Fell ["Fell", from the Old Norse "fjall", 'mountain', is used to refer to mountains, or certain types of mountainous landscape, in parts of England and Scandinavia.] is a mountain in the Yorkshire Dales, England. The main summit (gbmappingsmall|SD864716) has a height of convert|668|m|ft|0 and a relative height or topographic prominence of convert|243|m|ft|0 and thus qualifies as a Marilyn. [cite book|last=Dawson|first=Alan|title=TACit Tables: The Hewitts and Marilyns of England|publisher=TACit Press|date=1997|chapter=Section 35B: Central Pennines|isbn=095226807 8|url=http://bubl.ac.uk/org/tacit/tables/england/marreg35.htm|accessdate=2008-05-25] Its subsidiary south top (gbmappingsmall|SD868708) reaches convert|662|m|ft|0 and qualifies as a Nuttall. [cite web|url=http://www.nuttalls.com/mountains/england.htm|title=Mountains of England|last=Nuttall|first=John|coauthors=Anne Nuttall|accessdate=2008-05-25] A third summit, further south at gbmappingsmall|SD868697, reaches convert|610|m|ft|0 and is the most southerly 2,000 ft summit in the Pennines. [cite book|last=Wright|first=Nick|title=English Mountain Summits|publisher=Robert Hale|location=London|date=1974|pages=p.68|isbn=0709145608]

The eastern slopes of the fell form part of the National Trust's Malham Tarn and Moor estate. [cite web|url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-malhamtarnmoor.htm| title=Malham Tarn and Moor|last=National Trust|accessdate=2008-05-25]

History

The name "Fountains" derives from ownership of the land in the 13th century by the Cistercian monks of Fountains Abbey (convert|25|mi|km|0 to the east, near Ripon), who used it for sheep grazing. Coal was mined on the summit from 1790 to 1860, and was used for lead smelting in the area. There are various pits and shafts on and near the summit, and the remains of a coke oven building.cite book|last=Nuttall|first=John|coauthors=Anne Nuttall|title=The Mountains of England and Wales|publisher=Cicerone Press|date=1990|pages=276|isbn=1852840374|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=-c_CyZOz_24C&pg=PA276&lpg=PA276&dq=fountains+fell+coal&source=web&ots=ktFrL5BoJL&sig=u_PwIrswOUWrDUPDtd4-gDHfIyk&hl=en|accessdate=2008-05-25]

Pennine Way

The Pennine Way crosses Fountains Fell about a third of a mile north of the summit. For the northbound walker this is convert|85|mi|km|0 from the start of the way at Edale, and is the first point where the way climbs higher than Kinder Scout's convert|636|m|ft|0 which was reached soon after the start. It is convert|8|mi|km|0 along the Pennine Way from Malham village to the summit of Fountains Fell, the route climbing up beside the dramatic cliffs of Malham Cove and passing Malham Tarn before climbing up the east side of the fell. The route continues down the western slopes of the fell and ascends the southern ridge of Pen-y-ghent, reached after convert|3.5|mi|km|0: this summit of convert|694|m|ft|0 then supplants Fountains Fell as the highest point yet reached on the Pennine Way. [cite book|last=Wainwright|first=Alfred| title=Pennine Way Companion|authorlink=Alfred Wainwright| publisher=Westmorland Gazette ltd|date=1968|pages=111-119]

Caving

There are several caves of interest to cavers on Fountains Fell, including Antler Hole, Dalehead Pot, Echo Hole, Fornagh Gill, Gingling Pot, Hammer Pot and Magnetometer Pot. [cite web|url=http://cncc.org.uk/caving_access_three_peaks_area.html|title=Caving Access: Three Peaks Area: Fountains Fell|last=Council of Northern Caving Clubs|accessdate=2008-05-25]

References