Pennine Way Day 3. White Hill - Hebden Bridge . 16th May 2024

 Woke up around 5 AM, and after something to eat I was packed up and heading off into the mist just before 7.

All packed up ready to go

Trig point in the mist

Despite the mist the path from White Hill down to the M62, across the motorway and then up to Blackstone Edge was straightforward.

Bridge over the M62

Trig point on Blackstone Edge

Aiggin Stone

Shelter on Blackstone Edge

The White House pub was the next landmark. Unfortunately it was only 9.00 in the morning, so wasn't open. 

After the White House pub came the resevoir romp - several flat miles of track skirting a number of resevoirs.

first view of Studley Pike monument from the end of Warland Res

The path then wound its way acoss the moors with Studley Pike getting closer and closer. Eventualy there was a short sharp climb up to the monument. I climbed the dark staircase up to the balcony to get an even better view of the Calder VAlley.

Shortly after visiting the monument the track dropped down into agricultural land and I took a right turn off the pennine way and headed down a track marked as Pinnacle Lane into Hebden Bridge. After a lovely meal in the Old Gate Bar I had a couple of hours to wait until catching the train home.

Great walk - can't wait to get on the trail again,

About 12  / 13 miles.

Shining Cliff Woods - Crich - Ambergate 09/05/2024

 This is a combination of the two walks I normally do in this area - Shining Cliff Woods and Crich Chase. By missing out the majority of the canal section this made for a very enjoyable 9 mile hike with 1400 feet of ascent.

This was part of the preparation for Pennine way days 2 and 3 next week. It is a combination of two walks I have done many times before - Shining Cliff Woods and Crich Chase. Parked at Ambergate and headed off clockwise through Shining Cliff Woods. Once I got down to the A6 and the canal I turned left along the canal for a short stretch before heading clockwise around the Crich Chase walk.

Crich Stand from the top of Shining Cliff Woods

Lovely weather and excellent prep with some rough path sections and plenty of ascent and descent. 

About 9 miles

Pennine Way Day 2 Crowden - White Hill 15th May 2024

 Stayed overnight at Crowden with Anne and Meg in the van. We ordered a takeaway and then went for a short walk around Crowden before a good nights sleep.

It was reasonably clear on the valley bottom but misty up on the valley edge (Laddow Rocks) so unfortunately I missed the spectacular views looking down Great Crrowden Brook to Crowden. On Laddow rocks it was very misty and cold.

Leaving Crowden

Looking up the valley and heading into the mist

 I managed to get across the fords just after Laddow rocks and collect some wate without any mishaps, but ended up to my knees in bog just below Black hill summit.

Approaching Black Hill

Black hill summit

Once I reached Black Hill summit I relised I had lost a small wate bottle during my bog trotting episode. I met a fellow walker at the summit - an aussie who was doing Lands End to John O Groats.

The next section was fairly straigtforward with some ups and downs including a steep climb out oof Dean Clough. On this stretch I met a fellow walker who had been driven from Crowden to Standedge and was making his way back to Crowden.  As I approached the A635 I could see the snack van on the Isle of Skye road was open.

Dean Clough

Approaching the snack van

Definite shout out for this van. An epic bacom and sausage sandwich plus a strong cup of tea on proper crockery and I was also provided with a fold up chair. Brilliant service and value.

The next section followed a good track passing a couple of resevoirs and a sharp climb up the side of Wessenden Brook.

Wessenden Head Res

Climb up the side of Wessenden Btook

There was then a decent track across the moors past three more resevoirs before crossing Standedge cutting and a further 2 - 3 miles to wild camp on White Hill.

Standedge trig point

Looking back on the way up White Hill. There was a rainbow in this view but the camera didn't pick thta up

White Hill summit

I found a small patch of reasonably flat grass about 50 ft from the trig paoint to pitch up

The tent didn't blow away ! and I managed to get some sleep after the wind and showers subsided.

Link to a few Video Clips  PW Day 2 Clips

A fantastic days walk - about 14 miles.