Yesterday was again wet and windy but I was on holiday from work
and at home so it was a day spent indoors. Today Karen decided to
also have a rest day so I had a walk on Kinder Scout. Up via
Grindslow Knoll and down via Ringing Roger.
It was still showery and very windy and I suppose with the bad
weather together with it being New Years Eve, I only saw half a dozen
other people out walking.
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Sunday, 29 December 2013
Travel Back Home
As the weather was still wet and windy, we had breakfast and
settled up with the B&B owner (£35 each per night). As the
parking outside was restricted to certain hours, once we had packed
the car we relocated I to the main town car park and then had a
wander around various gear shops as well as have a snack in a café.
After this, we set off for home around lunch time.
After this, we set off for home around lunch time.
Saturday, 28 December 2013
Dow Crag from Walna Scar Track Car Park
An improvement in the weather luckily with a lot less wind and no
rain despite a misty start on the tops. We drove to Coniston and at
first tried two road turnings before choosing the right on leading up
a steep lane ending at a metal field gate.
Through the gate is a rough car parking area at the start of the Walna Scar track and we parked here and got our walking boots on at the same time as several other walkers.
While the crowds made for the track leading northwards presumably all intent on the summit of the Old Man of Coniston, we followed the Walna Scar Road track westwards.
As we gradually gained height, we could see more and more of Coniston Water behind us and also into the far distance where the sun was glinting off the sea. The tops of the surrounding mountains were mostly hidden in mist and there were occasional breaks in the cloud allowing the sun to light up the cwm between the Old Man and Dow Crag highlighting the old quarries on both sides.
We paused to take photos and crossed a small packhorse bridge over a stream before starting up a steeper section of path.
Although there was a lot less wind than yesterday, there was still quite a bit of cold wind so we made use of a small abandoned quarry next to the path to sit sheltered from the wind and have a hot drink from our flasks.
Continuing afterwards, we reached a shallow col and a crossroads formed by two paths. Taking the right-hand choice brought us up towards the summit of Brown Pike and the start of a ridge geading towards the top of Dow Crag.
As the ridge bore the full force of the wind and there was some shelter offered by a small circular wall and again we sat in the lee of this rough and low wall to have another bit of hot drink while we saw the mist move around the side of the Old Man opposite us.
We continued along the ridge wearing extra insulation as the wind was very cold and quite a bit stronger at this height being careful to not approach the edge too closely as the wind was blowing in that direction and below were very high cliffs and gullies.
We passed another summit at Buck Pike and after a similar distance reached the highest point of the ridge and the more rocky summit of Dow Crag.
After balancing across boulders and rocky slabs the path continued northwards and then north-east dropping down to the col at Goat's Hawse. We found a well-sheltered spot next to the path part way down and sat there to eat our lunch.
As we were eating lunch the mist gradually lifted revealing the whole of the Old Man opposite Goat's Hawse.
After lunch we dropped down to the col and then made our way down the rocky steps forming the start of the path descending to pass close to Goat's Water and views of the large and dark cliffs on the side of Dow Crag.
As we were walking towards the lake of Goat's Water we noticed that every now and then the string wind would blow some of the water from the surface of the lake and then whip a cloud of water across the surface.
After passing the lake, the path eventually rejoined the Walna Track Road and we retraced our route back to the car park.
Through the gate is a rough car parking area at the start of the Walna Scar track and we parked here and got our walking boots on at the same time as several other walkers.
While the crowds made for the track leading northwards presumably all intent on the summit of the Old Man of Coniston, we followed the Walna Scar Road track westwards.
As we gradually gained height, we could see more and more of Coniston Water behind us and also into the far distance where the sun was glinting off the sea. The tops of the surrounding mountains were mostly hidden in mist and there were occasional breaks in the cloud allowing the sun to light up the cwm between the Old Man and Dow Crag highlighting the old quarries on both sides.
We paused to take photos and crossed a small packhorse bridge over a stream before starting up a steeper section of path.
Although there was a lot less wind than yesterday, there was still quite a bit of cold wind so we made use of a small abandoned quarry next to the path to sit sheltered from the wind and have a hot drink from our flasks.
Continuing afterwards, we reached a shallow col and a crossroads formed by two paths. Taking the right-hand choice brought us up towards the summit of Brown Pike and the start of a ridge geading towards the top of Dow Crag.
As the ridge bore the full force of the wind and there was some shelter offered by a small circular wall and again we sat in the lee of this rough and low wall to have another bit of hot drink while we saw the mist move around the side of the Old Man opposite us.
We continued along the ridge wearing extra insulation as the wind was very cold and quite a bit stronger at this height being careful to not approach the edge too closely as the wind was blowing in that direction and below were very high cliffs and gullies.
We passed another summit at Buck Pike and after a similar distance reached the highest point of the ridge and the more rocky summit of Dow Crag.
After balancing across boulders and rocky slabs the path continued northwards and then north-east dropping down to the col at Goat's Hawse. We found a well-sheltered spot next to the path part way down and sat there to eat our lunch.
As we were eating lunch the mist gradually lifted revealing the whole of the Old Man opposite Goat's Hawse.
After lunch we dropped down to the col and then made our way down the rocky steps forming the start of the path descending to pass close to Goat's Water and views of the large and dark cliffs on the side of Dow Crag.
As we were walking towards the lake of Goat's Water we noticed that every now and then the string wind would blow some of the water from the surface of the lake and then whip a cloud of water across the surface.
After passing the lake, the path eventually rejoined the Walna Track Road and we retraced our route back to the car park.
 |
| Walna Scar Road heading towards Brown Pike |
 |
| Tiny shelter |
 |
| Summit of Brown Pike |
 |
| Summit of Buck Pike |
 |
| Summit of Dow Crag |
 |
| Old Man of Coniston from Dow Crag |
 |
| Cliffs on Dow Crag |
 |
| Goat's Water |
Friday, 27 December 2013
Easdale Tarn from Grasmere
As we were both taking a break from work between Christmas and the
New Year, Karen and I decided to spend a couple if days in the Lake
District.
We had done this twice before in recent years, only we were joined by Keith and Pete Collins on those occasions. Pete and Keith were staying in the Peak District at the same time to go digging in Water Icicle Close Cavern.
As on those previous trips we stayed at Claremont House, a bed and breakfast accommodation in the centre of Ambleside. Unlike those previous trip, the weather wasn't very good.
Anyway, we set off from home in the morning and after 2 and three quarter hours parked in the village of Grasmere. The weather was extremely windy with frequent showers so the route would remain at low level and make use of the landscape to gain shelter from the south-westerly wind.
Leaving the car parked in a small car park belonging tot he church which had an honesty box for payment of car parking fees, which we did, particularly as it was cheaper than the main “pay and display” car park in the village, we followed Easedale Road bringing us to the start of a bridleway. The bridleway brought us along Easedale Beck which flows out of Easedale Tarn, which was our destination for the walk.
It was a very easy and pleasant walk (if you ignored the rain showers!) and largely sheltered from the fierce winds. The picturesque waterfall called Sour Milk Gill soon was in view and our route took us close by.
Sections of the path were paved with steps made from rough rock as the ground steepened and as we neared the tarn, we were exposed to the full force of the wind which wasn't only very strong, but was gusting quite a lot.
As we paused in the shelter of a large boulder by the outlet of the tarn we saw a couple out walking with a dog on the opposite side of the beck. They were looking at trying to cross the beck using large stones in the beck's bed but appeared to be hesitating.
They saw us and waited for us to cross, probably to see what would happen! We waited for a lull in the wind between gusts and Karen started stepping across the 4 metres or so of beck while I hurried across behind wishing I had me walking poles like Karen!
Luckily we made it without falling in and set off back towards Grasmere on another path on this side of the beck.
After a few hundred metres we found a good sheltered spot by a large boulder as had a short break to have some hot drinks from flasks and then continued onwards.
We met a bridleway which the path joined at a T-junction and followed this back to join another small road joining Easedale Road back in the village and on the way passed some miserable looking Herdwick sheep sheltering by some drystone walls.
Back in Grasmere the first thing we did after changing out of our boots was find a café to warm up and have a coffee!
We had done this twice before in recent years, only we were joined by Keith and Pete Collins on those occasions. Pete and Keith were staying in the Peak District at the same time to go digging in Water Icicle Close Cavern.
As on those previous trips we stayed at Claremont House, a bed and breakfast accommodation in the centre of Ambleside. Unlike those previous trip, the weather wasn't very good.
Anyway, we set off from home in the morning and after 2 and three quarter hours parked in the village of Grasmere. The weather was extremely windy with frequent showers so the route would remain at low level and make use of the landscape to gain shelter from the south-westerly wind.
Leaving the car parked in a small car park belonging tot he church which had an honesty box for payment of car parking fees, which we did, particularly as it was cheaper than the main “pay and display” car park in the village, we followed Easedale Road bringing us to the start of a bridleway. The bridleway brought us along Easedale Beck which flows out of Easedale Tarn, which was our destination for the walk.
It was a very easy and pleasant walk (if you ignored the rain showers!) and largely sheltered from the fierce winds. The picturesque waterfall called Sour Milk Gill soon was in view and our route took us close by.
Sections of the path were paved with steps made from rough rock as the ground steepened and as we neared the tarn, we were exposed to the full force of the wind which wasn't only very strong, but was gusting quite a lot.
As we paused in the shelter of a large boulder by the outlet of the tarn we saw a couple out walking with a dog on the opposite side of the beck. They were looking at trying to cross the beck using large stones in the beck's bed but appeared to be hesitating.
They saw us and waited for us to cross, probably to see what would happen! We waited for a lull in the wind between gusts and Karen started stepping across the 4 metres or so of beck while I hurried across behind wishing I had me walking poles like Karen!
Luckily we made it without falling in and set off back towards Grasmere on another path on this side of the beck.
After a few hundred metres we found a good sheltered spot by a large boulder as had a short break to have some hot drinks from flasks and then continued onwards.
We met a bridleway which the path joined at a T-junction and followed this back to join another small road joining Easedale Road back in the village and on the way passed some miserable looking Herdwick sheep sheltering by some drystone walls.
Back in Grasmere the first thing we did after changing out of our boots was find a café to warm up and have a coffee!
Sunday, 22 December 2013
A Walk from Grangemill
We joined a group of about a dozen people on a Peak District Mines
Historical Society walk led by Tony Wood starting at the Holly Bush
pub in the hamlet of Grangemill at the crossroads at the top of the
Via Gellia.
Leaving the pub we started on the bridleway leading from the crossroads through fields above Grange Mill Quarry, which is part of the Limestone Way. We could see the full extent of the huge limestone quarry which is still a working quarry and mostly not seen from nearby roads. Continuing on the Limestone Way route, Tony pointed out the small rectangular building on the skyline ahead which was a Royal Observer Corps lookout location from World War II. This was used to spot German bombers heading towards Manchester and when they had been spotted, they could inform anti-aircraft guns further along the flight path.
After crossing a muddy recently ploughed field, we crossed the High Peak Trail and arrived at Manystones Lane after crossing another field and following a farm track.
We walked along Manystones Lane towards Harborough Rocks and after a short diversion into the field with a Public Footpath to see some old mine workings and a large mine shaft covered with concrete railway sleepers, we returned to the road and walked as far as the track leading through the works again back onto the High Peak Trail opposite Harborough Rocks.
We followed the old railway track which carries the High Peak Trail, pausing to view the collection of four new wind turbines recently installed on Carsington Pasture. These were in view for a large proportion of the walk and raised a bit of discussion amongst the group mainly along the lines of the unwanted visual intrusion so that some individuals can make a lot of money and not make any real contribution to saving carbon dioxide emissions.
We next followed the access road for the works next to the trail which are sited by one of the shafts into Golconda Mine. As the works are running throughout the week we weren't allowed to approach the shaft top but we could look at the old winding wheel which was displayed on a plinth outside a small office building.
After leaving the works we found ourselves on a wide vehicle track which led northwards and after walking along the track for a short distance, we left it for a footpath through a field gate leading us down a small muddy and wooded dale known as Marks Dale which leads to the the road in the Via Gellia.
On the way we had a look at an old ruined coe (the small building located by mine shafts where the miners used to store their tools and get changed into work clothes) and further along, another coe which was larger and next to a small adit with a corresponding adit on the opposite side of the small dale. Some had a look a short way into the adit, but the adit on the opposite side had been blocked by a collapse of surface soil not very far in.
Further down Marks Dale we reached the minor road going through the Via Gellia next to a layby and from here we walked up the road for a bit and then turned off on the small road leading through the hamlet of Ible and then down again back to our starting point for a quick drink and a bit of cottage pie at the Holly Bush. It was nice in the snug bar with a warm fire burning to warm up on a cold and windy day.
Leaving the pub we started on the bridleway leading from the crossroads through fields above Grange Mill Quarry, which is part of the Limestone Way. We could see the full extent of the huge limestone quarry which is still a working quarry and mostly not seen from nearby roads. Continuing on the Limestone Way route, Tony pointed out the small rectangular building on the skyline ahead which was a Royal Observer Corps lookout location from World War II. This was used to spot German bombers heading towards Manchester and when they had been spotted, they could inform anti-aircraft guns further along the flight path.
After crossing a muddy recently ploughed field, we crossed the High Peak Trail and arrived at Manystones Lane after crossing another field and following a farm track.
We walked along Manystones Lane towards Harborough Rocks and after a short diversion into the field with a Public Footpath to see some old mine workings and a large mine shaft covered with concrete railway sleepers, we returned to the road and walked as far as the track leading through the works again back onto the High Peak Trail opposite Harborough Rocks.
We followed the old railway track which carries the High Peak Trail, pausing to view the collection of four new wind turbines recently installed on Carsington Pasture. These were in view for a large proportion of the walk and raised a bit of discussion amongst the group mainly along the lines of the unwanted visual intrusion so that some individuals can make a lot of money and not make any real contribution to saving carbon dioxide emissions.
We next followed the access road for the works next to the trail which are sited by one of the shafts into Golconda Mine. As the works are running throughout the week we weren't allowed to approach the shaft top but we could look at the old winding wheel which was displayed on a plinth outside a small office building.
After leaving the works we found ourselves on a wide vehicle track which led northwards and after walking along the track for a short distance, we left it for a footpath through a field gate leading us down a small muddy and wooded dale known as Marks Dale which leads to the the road in the Via Gellia.
On the way we had a look at an old ruined coe (the small building located by mine shafts where the miners used to store their tools and get changed into work clothes) and further along, another coe which was larger and next to a small adit with a corresponding adit on the opposite side of the small dale. Some had a look a short way into the adit, but the adit on the opposite side had been blocked by a collapse of surface soil not very far in.
Further down Marks Dale we reached the minor road going through the Via Gellia next to a layby and from here we walked up the road for a bit and then turned off on the small road leading through the hamlet of Ible and then down again back to our starting point for a quick drink and a bit of cottage pie at the Holly Bush. It was nice in the snug bar with a warm fire burning to warm up on a cold and windy day.
Saturday, 21 December 2013
Maskhill Mine
Karen wanted to have a bit of SRT rigging practice and I suggested
Maskhill Mine as we had to be in the Castleton area in the morning. I
was going to meet Tony Seddon of StarlessRiver.com at the TSG hut to
buy a new furry suit.
After our visit to see Tony, we returned up the Winnats Pass to park at Oxlow Farm again for the third time in as many weeks and got changed into caving gear.
We met Jo and her companion at the layby leading to the caves and had already met them earlier at the TSG hut as they were also meeting Tony about caving gear,
Jo and the other caver were heading for Oxlow Cavern and we left them en route to take the steep uphill route to the entrance shaft of Maskhill Mine.
As we only wanted to carry a single tackle bag of rope each, we had enough rope to reach the top of the vertical section called Murmuring Churn as Karen set off down the entrance shaft.
I followed after hearing her shout up “Rope free” after she had passed the first rebelay and I was glad to get into the shaft out of the cold wind which was blowing on the surface.
There were a couple of awkward places where the resined in bolts made it obvious you were supposed to tie the rope to them but it wasn't always obvious which was the best way and I rearranged a couple of the belay points.
Karen dropped down the final section of rope above Murmuring Churn and I followed and was just at the final rebelay when Karen shouted up she had run out of rope and was ready to start coming up again so I also started up again ahead of Karen as she followed de-rigging the ropes as she went.
We were back on the surface after around three and a half hours at 16:00 and were soon back at the farm and changed out of caving gear.
A quick return to the Orpheus hut to wash and put the ropes away and then home.
After our visit to see Tony, we returned up the Winnats Pass to park at Oxlow Farm again for the third time in as many weeks and got changed into caving gear.
We met Jo and her companion at the layby leading to the caves and had already met them earlier at the TSG hut as they were also meeting Tony about caving gear,
Jo and the other caver were heading for Oxlow Cavern and we left them en route to take the steep uphill route to the entrance shaft of Maskhill Mine.
As we only wanted to carry a single tackle bag of rope each, we had enough rope to reach the top of the vertical section called Murmuring Churn as Karen set off down the entrance shaft.
I followed after hearing her shout up “Rope free” after she had passed the first rebelay and I was glad to get into the shaft out of the cold wind which was blowing on the surface.
There were a couple of awkward places where the resined in bolts made it obvious you were supposed to tie the rope to them but it wasn't always obvious which was the best way and I rearranged a couple of the belay points.
Karen dropped down the final section of rope above Murmuring Churn and I followed and was just at the final rebelay when Karen shouted up she had run out of rope and was ready to start coming up again so I also started up again ahead of Karen as she followed de-rigging the ropes as she went.
We were back on the surface after around three and a half hours at 16:00 and were soon back at the farm and changed out of caving gear.
A quick return to the Orpheus hut to wash and put the ropes away and then home.
Sunday, 15 December 2013
A Short Walk
Since I had to visit Hitch 'n' Hike near Bamford to get a replacement Petzl
SRT harness which I ordered last week plus the forecast was for a
very wet afternoon, we decided on a short walk.
After leaving the car at the top of Padley Gorge we crossed the road to enter a gate leading to Longshaw Lodge. Tempted by the National Trust café, we were planning to have a quick brew and snack but found it was very busy so we continued on our way.
We left the Lodge by the drive to the Sheffield road and left the drive to follow a path by the brook bringing us back to the top of Padley Gorge.
After leaving the car at the top of Padley Gorge we crossed the road to enter a gate leading to Longshaw Lodge. Tempted by the National Trust café, we were planning to have a quick brew and snack but found it was very busy so we continued on our way.
We left the Lodge by the drive to the Sheffield road and left the drive to follow a path by the brook bringing us back to the top of Padley Gorge.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)