Mountain Magic - Yorkshire 3 Peaks - 25th May 2018

We stayed at a fabulous B&B at Middle Studfold Farm , just 1 mile outside of Horton. We had a fantastic evening meal and  Jan (the landlady) got up at 5.00 to make us an early breakfast at 5.30. We hadn't expected that but what a brilliant start to the day !!

After a wholesome Yorkshire breakfast we drove the mile down to the Golden Lion Car Park and started the walk.

We followed the standard route from Horton - Pen y Ghent  - Whernside - Ingleborough - Horton.

The weather was overcast and windy. We - Myself , Rowan (son) and Howard (friend) set of at a good pace up to Pen Y Ghent. We were soon (puffing and panting) at the top in about 1.5 hours. After a short break at the wind break we headed of down on the good path into the valley.

Pen Y Ghent from our B&B the evening before

Howard and Rowan on the way up

The final pull is quite steep

I always look so happy

By the time we got to Ribblehead Viaduct Howard was struggling and wisely decided to pull out. A magnificent effort considering he was a bit rusty and hadn't managed to get any walks in on the preceding weeks.

We couldn't get a signal so we had to leave Howard to catch a train back to Horton to call in International Rescue (Anne and Sarah).

From the viaduct it was a steady pull around the flank of Whernside up to the ridge path.

The ridge path on Whernside was incredibly windy. We stopped for a well deserved break at the summit wind break. I was very slow on the steep rocky path down from Whernside with Rowan racing ahead. Eventually we met up with Anne , Sarah and Howard at the Old Hill Inn near Chapel le Dale. After a quick water / coffee top up we set off on the final leg. 

The weather had been kind to us - the rain only set in on the way up to Ingleborough - by the time we got to the top the summit plateau was covered in mist.

On the way to Ingleborough

Final sharp pull onto the Ingleborough Ridge

Tired and wet on the way up

Ingleborough

Despite the dodgy frown - I am so happy to be back in Horton

The final 4 miles across the limestone pavement of Sulber Nick was hard work but we were delighted to get back down in 11 hours.

What a magnificent mountain day out. 24 miles , 5000 feet of ascent. OS OL 2

Yorkshire 3 peaks prep

Yorkshire 3 peaks scheduled for Friday 25th May, so I have been trying to get as many local walks in before.

Stanage Edge  Wyming Brook 6th May 2018

This was not as long as the previous time when I crossed the A57 and walked up to Moscar before crossing the A57 again and walking the entire length of Stanage. I ended up doing a loop across the moors back to Redmires. It was a hot day , and there was some cattle with calves in the fields ahead which I would have to cross. I didn't fancy that with Meg after my experience at Dove Dale where a couple of cows charged at us.

However, we still covered 10 miles on a hot sunny day. An excellent walk.

10 Miles OS OL1 Dark Peak

North Wales April 2018

We had a week in North Wales (on the coast just south of Anglesey). Whilst we didn't do any long hikes we had lots of lovely walks on the beach and cliff tops through the week.

Frogatt Edge Curbar Edge 12/05/2018

This was the same route I have done many times before Baslow Edge - White Edge - Froggat Edge - Curbar Edge. I did this walk with Rowan and he was intent on walking quickly (his version of Nordic walking without the poles !). We covered the route in 2.5 hours ...I only had chance to take a couple of photos

A lovely (quick) walk. About 8 miles OS OL24 White Peak

Win Hill - Lancaster Flypast 16/05/2018

The flypast over the dams didn't happen due to unfavorable winds. A typhoon flew past as a replacement but I didn't hang about for that. 

I parked at Hope and walked up the side of the ridge through Twitchill farm up to Win Hill. The view would have been fantastic, In the end I opted for a short walk along Hope Brink and then doubling back down past the farm and out onto the main road near the station

Lose Hill

Crook Hill

About 5.5 Miles OS OL1 - Dark Peak

Hope - Kinder Scout - Edale - Castleton 18/05/2018

This was an excellent walk for several reasons :-

• A new route
• Three separate ascents
• A good distance (12.5 miles)
• Brilliant views throughout

I parked at Hope and followed the same route from earlier in the week up onto Hope Brink, From there it was a lovely high level stroll with stunning scenery and also a view of the entire route ahead of me. Just after Hope Cross I turned left on the path which dropped down the the start of Jaggers Clough. The climb up the clough was reminiscent of Grindsbrook (albeit with less well defined paths). After a tough climb (tough because nearly every step had to be negotiated) we emerged on the edge of the plateau - yet another way up to the Peoples Mountain. I then followed the good path around the eastern edge of Kinder to Ringing Roger where I descended next to Golden Clough down into Edale. I was collared for a survey in the village (took longer than I expected), and then stopped at the station cafe for a delicious cream tea.

Looking back on the way up to Hope Brink

The Great Ridge

From Edale was the third ascent of the day up to Hollins Cross. I had thought of then following the ridge up to Lose Hill and then dropping down to Hope, but Meg was really over heating by then so we dropped down to Castleton and picked up the footpath back to Hope.

Lose Hill

Hope Cross

Start of Jaggers Clough

On the way up Jaggers - looking back

Mad Dog and Englishman

On the Great Ridge at Hollins Cross

A stunning walk which I will definitely be doing again. 

 12.5 Miles OS OL 1 Dark Peak

Crich Chase 20/05/2018

Another forced route march with Rowan. This is the fall back walk when I don't want to have to drive too far. We got a good workout on a hot day with the ascent through the woods of Crich Chase.

About 6.5 Miles. OS OL24 White Peak