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A Millenium Challenge The Story of 'FIFTY PEAKS IN FIFTY WEEKS' |
| I had to do something to make it special in 1999, the year before the millennium, a year above others, and thus for me a
dedicated year of achievement. As one of my greatest passions is walking I decided to do some great walks. A second Coast to Coast walk, this
time from west to east was one target. Another was to complete the three peaks of the Yorkshire Dales in a single walk, the circular that
was to include Pennyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. However, what about one target that would set it above others. It was during a walking
weekend at Dufton in the Teesdale area during the late summer of last year that I thought of the idea to completing 50 peaks in 50
weeks (taking two weeks off for holidays thus maintaining an average of a peak a week!). To qualify the peaks would each have to be over
500 metres in height. This report is a record of how I achieved the task.
Walk One: New boots and didn't I know it! Date: Thursday 1st January 1999 Start: Buckden Distance: 15 miles Weather: Showers Peaks: Buckden Pike 702m (Grid Ref: SD960787) Great Whernside 704m (Grid Ref: SE002739) The walk was done in the company of Steve Scott and Chris Wesson, Steve's daughter Vicky's boyfriend. I felt comfortable at the beginning of the walk despite it being the morning after New Years Eve! However, after half an hour I began to lose energy and eventually found it a struggle up to the Pike. I was wearing my new £99 Brasher boots and it was while resting at the top with a bottle of Champagne that the aches began to set in. I checked my feet and noticed I was beginning to blister. Despite the onset of pain I carried on over the boggy land between the Pike and Whernside. However on crossing the road prior to our final ascent I had to stop. I was in agony and the boots had to come off again. I was cutting up on my heels very badly and would not have been able to carry on without causing a good deal of damage to my feet. Fortunately Steve’s boots were the same size so we swapped them. I was determined to go on and thankfully I could now cope with Steve’s boots on. Onwards and after completing the steep part of the walk to Great Whernside it began to rain. We walked onto the trig point and stopped in relative shelter of the rocks for lunch. We continued down to Kettlewell in the rain and then along the river to Buckden. I was knackered at the end but so what. I only had 48 more peaks to go! Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 2 Height (peaks only) 1,406m Distance (level measure) 15 miles Walk Two: Bouncing along Date: Sunday 10th January 1999 Start: Buckden Distance: 14 miles Weather: Dry, sunnty spells Peaks: Peaks: Old Cote Moor 607m (Grid Ref: SD926749) Horsehead 605m (Grid Ref: SD887779) Yockenthwaite Moor 643m (Grid Ref: SD909811) Once again I walked in the company of Steve. This time the weather was better and the walk was completed without problem. We walked over a lot of unpathed terrain in peat bog but the air temperature was low and the ground was hard and icy so it supported us like a mattress. A good job because the route would have been almost impossible in warmer conditions. We came across a group of scramble motor bikers between Horsehead and Yockenthwaite. I could do without them on the moors. They disturb the peace of a good day and you have to be aware of them coming. Motorbikes on moors to me are more than a minor irritation. And another note of caution for would be walkers of this route for Yockenthwaite Moor is a right beast and usually as boggy as hell. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 5 Height (peaks only) 3,261m Distance (level measure) 29 miles Walk Three: In the Trees Date: Sunday 31st January 1999 Start: Hardraw Distance: 12 miles Weather: Dry, sunny spells Peaks: Great Shunner Fell 714m (Grid Ref: SD848973) For the third walk Steve again accompanied me. We walked to the top of Great Shunner Fell immediately on leaving Hardraw. After lunch we walked down to Cotterdale village through a forest plantation and after the village along a stream to one waterfall and then another, Cotter Force which was very pretty. An easy pleasant day’s walking. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 6 Height (peaks only) 3,975m Distance (level measure) 41 miles Walk Four: That is not a path, it's a fence line! Date: Sunday 14th March 1999 Start: Arncliffe Distance: 10 miles Weather: Dry, sunny spells Peaks: Darnbrook Fell 624m (Grid Ref: SD884728) Once again Steve was present on the walk and this time so was my brother Dave, a regular walking companion. We found it tough getting to the trig point once we had left the path, especially Dave. I thought a line on the map was a path. It turned out to be an indication of a fence line. Not to be my last orienteering mistake of the year. Afterwards we walked down to Cowside beck and enjoyed a lovely beckside walk back to Arncliffe. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 7 Height (peaks only) 4,599m Distance (level measure) 51 miles Walk Five: The Big One! Date: Wednesday 7th April 1999 Start: Seathwaite Distance: 12 miles Weather: Dry start followed by persistent drizzle Peaks: Scafell Pike 978m (Grid Ref: NY215072) The highest point in England, and what a day I had chose to do it. It was awful and not as forecasted before I set off from home the previous day. I walked my usual favourite route from Seathwaite to Stockley Bridge and then on to Styhead Tarn. I then turned left to join the corridor route to the Pike. Just after doing so I was called to by three people who had been behind me since leaving Seathwaite. It was a group of youngsters who were attempting Scafell for the first time and wanted to know where the corridor route was. I invited them to join me for the rest of the journey, which they did. They were called Phil, Carol and Conlan and turned out to be great company. Carol kept telling me her mum was single and could do with a man like me! I was disappointed for the group that the weather was so bad, especially as it was their first time walking in the Lake District, but they were thrilled with the achievement of getting to the Pike anyway. It was grim at the top so we sheltered for a quick food intake, and then set off back to base. At first we headed the wrong way but were soon corrected on meeting another group, and then safely got back to Seathwaite via Calf Cove and Sprinkling Tarn. To celebrate I joined the gang for a drink in Keswick during the evening. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 8 Height (peaks only) 5,577m Distance (level measure) 63 miles Walk Six: Up the Spout Date: Saturday 1st May 1999 Start: Cross Keys, A683 Sedburgh to Kirkby Stephen Road Distance: 12 miles Weather: Sunny Peaks: The Calf 676m (Grid Ref: SD667970) Two walks in a weekend in the company of friends from Knaresborough and a stay in Dent to savour too. This first walk in the Howgills was done in the company of Deke Lawrenson, Jess Clapham and Spud. I love the rolling beauty of the Howgills but I had never been up to the Calf via Cautley Spout before so this was a really special day. I had previously walked to the Calf from Sedburgh but this was a better alternative. The walk to the top was steep but the scenery was stunning. Once at the Calf we headed over the rolling hills for a while and then down to the beck which returned us to Cautley Spout. A great walk was had by all and in the evening we were all joined by more Knaresborough friends Stuart Fletcher and his friend Doe. We enjoyed a great night at the pub, and then a laugh in Jess’s tent. And there was still tomorrow. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 9 Height (peaks only) 6,253m Distance (level measure) 75 miles Walk Seven: Straight Up Date: Sunday 2nd May 1999 Start: Little Ing Farm (B6259) Distance: 10 miles Weather: Fair Peaks: Wild Boar Fell 708m (Grid Ref: SD758988) This was a walk and a hill I had not contemplated when I began this adventure but Deke was to show me more than just this one new route before I was completed in my task. This walk started on the side of the B6259 road and led us through a farm, under the settle to Carlisle railway and onwards to the ridge that began the ascent to Wild Boar Fell. Jess was a little concerned that Doe would not be able to keep up but she proved to do very well in maintaining a decent pace. On the ridge I clambered straight up instead of following the path. It wasn’t too far and proved to be fun. On top it was a flat walk for half a mile to the peak, and there we all stopped for lunch. Then we headed down to Hellgill Force and encountered some other splendid waterfalls on the way. It was a good walk to end a good weekend in good company. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 10 Height (peaks only) 6,961m Distance (level measure) 85 miles Walk Eight: Straggler Date: Tuesday 18th May 1999 Start: Seathwaite Distance: 8 miles Weather: Sunny Peaks: Green Gable 801m (Grid Ref: NY215107) Great Gable 899m (Grid Ref: NY211104) My future wife Lil’s first walk and it turned out to be tougher than expected. From Seathwaite we headed straight up to Green Gable via Seathwaite Slabs. She did well keeping up to the Slabs at a good pace, in hindsight probably too good. It was steep and promising, but then after the slight leveling off to Brown Base she began to struggle, and so it was for the rest of the day as she got progressively slower. At Windy Pass it certainly lived up to its name and we had to be very careful as we crossed between Green Gable and Great Gable. At Great Gable we met fellow walkers and stopped for a while to eat and rest, but soon it was the downhill descent to contend with. This is where Lil went to pot. She found it near impossible and quite scary coming down the scree slope and hurt her knee coming down. From there on to the end of the walk it was slow and I just stayed ahead of her to keep her going. I enjoyed my first walk up Great Gable, a favourite of many an experienced fell walker. According to my walking companion, so did she! Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 12 Height (peaks only) 8,661m Distance (level measure) 93 miles Walk Nine: Striding out on the Edge Date: Wednesday 19th May 1999 Start: Grisedale Distance: 8 miles Weather: Sunny Peaks: Helvellyn 950m (Grid Ref: NY341151) Raise 883m (Grid Ref: NY343174) This was a fantastic day and an exhilarating experience. This was to be the day I did Striding Edge, a route of legend that is so often walked nowadays but an achievement all the same. I left from Grisedale and made my way to Hole in the Wall, the common route to the first sight of Striding Edge and a demanding ascent in itself. Once there I initially headed towards Swirral Edge but on checking my map I realised I had to be to the left of Red Tarn, going by Low Spying How and High Spying How to Striding Edge. The walks along the How’s towards the Edge were ok and then it started. Rock Faces and scrambles faced me. The path became confusing and split in places. Which one was I to take? I naturally headed on the lower one and then faced a steep clamber up while knowing that behind me was a precipice! Other walkers were in similar quandaries and the leaders were helping their less confident partners along. I eventually ended up leading a group of 4 young student walkers to the top and only because an elderly couple coming down had showed me the easiest path up. At the top it was a brilliant feeling. Helvellyn was bagged and then I walked on to Raise a hill of no great kudos but once there I experienced the most stunning panoramic views. It was a paradise unknown. Then I took the walk down to my finish at Legburthwaite following Sticks Pass. It was an ordinary section until I met the steep descent and Thirlmere came into view. Walking down to road via Sty Beck Fall was a great finale to a great day. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 14 Height (peaks only) 10,494m Distance (level measure) 101 miles Walk Ten: A Six Pack! Date: Saturday 26th June 1999 Start: Ennerdale Bridge Distance: 16 miles Weather: Sunny Peaks: Great Borne 616m (NY124164) Starling Dodd 633m (NY142157) Red Pike 755m (NY160154) High Stile 807m (NY168148) High Crag 744m (NY180140) Haystacks 597m (NY193131) Notes – From the 'Coast to Coast' Diary: Today has to be just about the most exhilarating days walking ever. Deke and I kept it about as high as we could throughout. The weather was great, warm and with high cloud. It was a little hazy at times and for a short spell the cloud came in. It actually rained for about 30 seconds while we were on the top of Haystacks. Six peaks done, serious stuff or what! We were knackered walking in from Haystacks. Real burned out engines x 2. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 20 Height (peaks only) 14,646m Distance (level measure) 117 miles Walk Eleven: That's not drizzle, it's pissing down! Date: Sunday 27th June 1999 Start: Rosthwaite Distance: 19 miles Weather: Rain in morning then sunny in the afternoon Peaks: Fairfield 873m (Grid Ref: NY359117) St Sunday Crag 841m (Grid Ref: NY369134) Notes – From the 'Coast to Coast' Diary: "It’s not drizzle, it’s pissing down!" Deke might as well have been using a loop tape as we walked into Grasmere, but then I suppose we were both wet. Earl Gray tea, toasted teacakes and scones were the faith restorers in the cafe at Grasmere where we chose (and needed to) dry off. It had been a noisy night and for once not down to my travelling companions snoring (It’s all down to his nasal abuse apparently – a youthful thuggery) but because it thundered, lightened and poured it down all night. Flashes of light pierced my eyelids and noise rapturously wakened me from time to time. Yet I was remarkably fresh in the morning and we set about our business after breakfast. One small pang on leaving Rosthwaite. The 16 th century cottage and charming host we were leaving behind. I’ll stay there again. Rosthwaite to Grasmere was a chore, the walk up to the waterfall near Eagle Crag a delightful excuse from the drudgery. And on to Grasmere, where after our break for tea it was a different story. The cloud lifted and accompanying incessant rain abated to at least leave us relatively dry. A genuinely easy walk to Grisedale Tarn, and then up Fairfield, practically vertically. Oh, what an ascent – fantastic hard work, almost vertical as said but whipcrackingly great. Once at Fairfield, a gentle down, up, down, up, down and finally up walk to St Sunday Crag that included two great scrambles around crags en route. And what panoramic views of the whole sweep of the area from Morecambe Bay to Solway Firth, the Scottish Mountains and inland too. Once off St Sunday Crag the views to Patterdale were glorious and welcoming. A steep and difficult descent down and then we were there. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 22 Height (peaks only) 16,360m Distance (level measure) 136 miles Walk Twelve: Not a pleasant day Date: Monday 28th June 1999 Start: Patterdale Distance: 16 miles Weather: Rain until early afternoon, then fair Peaks: Angletarn Pike 567m (Grid Ref: NY413148) Rest Dodd 696m (Grid Ref: NY432137) The Knott 739m (Grid Ref: NY437127) Kidsty Pike 780m (Grid Ref: NY447126) Kidsty Howe 520m (Grid Ref: NY461125) Notes – From the 'Coast to Coast' Diary: Awful weather on the tops but we managed to bag a few and even for Deke a new one. It wasn’t much fun though as it was squally and damp all the time that we were on the tops. Afterwards it was a hard slog along Haweswater reservoir, but at least the rain stopped and the sun came out on that section. We met fellow Coast to Coast walkers at the end of the reservoir, a Canadian couple from Gwelf nr Toronto, and joined them for the walk to Shap. We built a roaring fire in the bunkhouse later. Well appreciated but blooming heck, Deke burnt my socks airing them over the open fire!! Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 27 Height (peaks only) 19,662m Distance (level measure) 152 miles Walk Thirteen: Painful Going Date: Wednesday 30th June 1999 Start: Kirkby Stephen Distance: 15 miles Weather: Dry, Overcast Peaks: Nine Standards 662m (Grid Ref: NY825061) Robert’s Seat 549m (Grid Ref: NY871044) Notes – From the 'Coast to Coast' Diary: It’s a ton done now. One hundred miles that is and 4½ more than Wainwright’s low level Coast to Coast route. In fact we added 2 miles on today by heading north from Ravenseat Farm in Whitsundale towards Tan Hill to capture Robert’s Seat and a view of the pub. My left leg and foot are really bad now but I’ve invested over £15 in false skin, bandages and supports to keep me going. Today’s leg was forecast to be fine and sunny. It was fine but sun was very limited. Once again, as 5 years ago Nine Standards was windy, cold and bleak. The bogs were a little more supporting than I remember but not much. Nevertheless we made good progress and I kept Deke company this time. Still a hard slog because I have to concentrate on every step but I expect better soon. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 29 Height (peaks only) 20,873m Distance (level measure) 167 miles Walk Fourteen: A Picnic Date: Sunday 18th July 1999 Start: Stanbury Distance: 16 miles Weather: Dry, Overcast Peaks: Lad Law 517m (Grid Ref: SD930356) This was my first walk in the heart of tourist rich Bronte country. We went further than your average visitor though so luckily only ran into crowds at the beginning and end of our day. I set off from Stanbury in the company of Steve, Dave, Deke and Jess on a route that would take us into the heart of the Pennine reservoir land. First it was Ponden reservoir and than a low valley walk for Deke and I and a ridge walk for the other three (where did they lose us?) until we reached Water Sheddles reservoir. Then after a short road walk we turned left to join the Pendle Way and eventually left again to climb Boulsworth Hill and the trig point of Lad Law. Later we descended the other side of the hill to join a road that led us to Widdop reservoir and after the reservoir turned onto the Pennine Way past the Walshaw Dene reservoirs and onto Withins Moor. On the moor we came across the farmstead that was reputably the inspiration for the Bronte novel ‘Wuthering Heights’, although it is well noted by aficionados that the farm only slightly resembles the one in the novel. When we reached the farmstead we rejoined the crowds and two miles later our task was done. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 30 Height (peaks only) 21,390m Distance (level measure) 183 miles Walk Fifteen: Lost Date: Sunday 1st August 1999 Start: Gunnerside Distance: 16 miles Weather: Sunny Peaks: Rogans Seat 672m (Grid Ref: NY920031) Blakethwaite 668m (Grid Ref: NY928046) Steve, Dave and I were on this one, preparing for the next weeks epic. And this one proved to be interesting in its own right. The weather was glorious in what had generally been a good summer. I did some of this walk on the Coast to Coast from the other direction a few weeks ago, only then I had to stay low because of my injuries so I missed out on Rogans Seat and Great Pinseat, which we had planned (I was to miss Pinseat again, but Blakethwaite was a compensation). The walk began with pleasant tracking up the Swale from Gunnerside to Keld, and it was a joy to have our first snack break at the waterfall near Keld where we had lunch over five years ago on our first Coast to Coast walk. Afterwards the climb began up to Crackpot Hall and then on to Rogans Seat. It was so hot that Steve and I kept dunking our heads in the stream to keep cool during the ascent. At Rogans Seat we spotted another trig point and decided to head over. It turned out to be Blakethwaite but what a struggle to get there over the heather. Where did the path go? And then to get off the moor was even tougher. Dave was moaning and falling over into potholes. Steve and I were falling over on the uncertain ground too. It was hard and once off we vainly searched for Pinseat (we were lost) but after what seemed an endless circular spotted a village in the distance. When we got closer we were amazed and relieved it was Gunnerside. It had been a bad map reading day but good stamina building for next week. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 32 Height (peaks only) 22,730m Distance (level measure) 199 miles Walk Sixteen: The Three Peaks Date: Saturday 7th August 1999 Start: Horton in Ribblesdale Distance: 25 miles Weather: Overcast with showers and windy at height Peaks: Pennyghent 694m (Grid Ref: SD838734) Whernside 736m (Grid Ref: SD738814) Ingleborough 723m (Grid Ref: SD741745) And so to the biggest single day walk of the year, the classic 25 miles circular that is famously known as the 'Three Peaks' which involves climbing the three most popular hills in the Yorkshire Dales. Steve and I had this one planned since late last year. We usually climb Penyghent on New Years Day but decided to leave it this year so I didn't have to do it twice during my '50 peaks in 50 weeks' challenge. In the weeks leading up to the walk it was envisaged 5-6 of the team would do it, but at the last minute some dropped out. Perhaps it was the weather that put them off. The days leading up to the walk were glorious but alas overnight the clouds rolled in, and the remaining three walkers, Steve, Dave and I hoped for a dry start. After an evening in Settle we were due to get up at 4.30 a.m. in order to meet Jess and Deke at 5.00 a.m. in Horton in Ribblesdale. We slept in to 5.30, but after rushing up we got to Horton just before 6.00 a.m. After checking it was found that Deke and Jess had not arrived, so we prepared in the village and at 6.05 a.m. set off towards our first peak, Pennyghent. At least we had dry spells on the first pull to the top and we reached the trig point at Pennyghent in good time. All still in good spirits although Dave was up to his usual morning grumble because he had missed his regular caffeine fix. We then headed across country towards Whernside via the Pennine Way and Ling Gill, a lovely picturesque nature reserve en route, approximately half way between Pennyghent and Whernside. It was there we had our first food break, and then on towards Ribblehead via Cam End and the Dales Way. After a short spell on the road near the viaduct where we passed vintage car rallies it was up towards Blea Station a disused station on the Settle to Carlisle railway line. Then under the railway and the long haul up to Whernside. I pumped up to the top where it was very windy and continued on regardless to the trig point. I quickly dived over the wall for shelter from the wind and took in more food. Whilst eating I was hassled by two sheep and one in particular was very brave in asking for a bite. Then Steve and Dave arrived and they were hassled too. It turned out they had crossed to the other side of the wall as soon as they got on the ridge to avoid the wind. Being blown almost over added to my achievement, so I'm glad I stayed on the windy side. After the break on Whernside summit it was the descent to the Hill Inn and during that spell we stopped off at Ivescar Farm where a sandwich bar had been set up for coffee. Quickly past the Hill Inn on resumption, and then the last pull to Ingleborough. All together to the duckboards and then Steve goes on. As Steve had stayed with Dave when he struggled up Whernside I decided to hang back behind Dave on this one to offer encouragement. Slowly but surely he clambered up towards the top ridge. On one occasion he called back to me "I am knackered, I can't go any further" and then he laughed as he knew he had no choice but to go on. Twenty minutes later we were on top of the hill at Ingleborough's trig point, in thick cloud where you couldn't see more than 15 feet. A quick bite and then straight down on our journey back to Horton. Then my knees began to hurt on the downhill. They often too on a long walk. After a fairly easy 4-5 miles which included some limestone flats we arrived back from whence we came. 10 hours later. Well done all. Now we all deserve a good drink, and I had only 15 more peaks to go. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 35 Height (peaks only) 24,883m Distance (level measure) 224 miles Walk Seventeen: Third Time Lucky Date: Saturday 21st August 1999 Start: Reeth Distance: 12 miles Weather: Sunny Peaks: Green Pinseat 583m (Grid Ref: NY970027) I had decided to bag Pinseat once and for all. Dave and Lil joined me on the venture which started by having breakfast in Reeth in the open air. The weather was glorious after all and to make it a not too taxing start we took the river route to the pleasant secluded village of Langthwaite. The river walk was interesting and my two companions enjoyed analysing blown over tree stumps, comparing them to totem poles. Lil kept dropping behind a little when we neared the village but Dave kept an eye on her, and waited at times. After stopping briefly in the village for a drink we headed up towards Pinseat. We tracked up initially through fields and a little bit of boggy ground where we all got our feet wet and then we began walking towards a hard track. The track was the beginning of the ascent in earnest and before we left it for open fell we stopped for a last liquid intake. Lil went to the floor but we got her on her feet before she got too comfortable. Up the fell was tough and Lil dropped behind again. We soldiered on along a fence, which became a wall, and then just before the trig point Dave and I hid in a peat hole. Five minutes later Lil passed us and reached the trig first. We popped up to her relief and joined her at the top for a short break. Then over the wall we went and down a track towards Surrender Bridge. On the way we passed the eerie and abandoned but still standing Old Gang smelting mills mining settlement. After Surrender Bridge (and Dave’s flying saucer) we made towards Healaugh. Once again, Lil was struggling and Dave’s chivalry in looking after her caused him to walk straight into a tree! Lil was obviously tired so we left her at Healaugh and made on to Reeth. On reaching Reeth we went back for her to find her snoozing on a village bench. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 36 Height (peaks only) 25,446m Distance (level measure) 236 miles Walk Eighteen: Meeting the Old Man Date: Monday 23rd August 1999 Start: Coniston Distance: 8 miles Weather: Sunny Peaks: Old Man of Coniston 803m (Grid Ref: SD272978) Brim Fell 796m (Grid Ref: SD270986) Great How 770m (Grid Ref: SD273999) Swirl How 802m (Grid Ref: NY272005) Wetherlam 762m (Grid Ref: NY288011) Dave and I took a three day excursion to the Lake District. This walk was the choice for day one. We arrived at Coniston at around 1.00 p.m. in lovely sunny weather and immediately set off up towards the Old Man. After following a beck for about a mile the valley opened up to us. It was beautiful; a range of hills surrounding two streams which met where we were stood. Coniston Old Man stood gloriously above us to our left. We headed straight up. Dave was inspired bounding his way to the top and chatting to people on the way. That’s what a couple of days off the ale did for him, a revelation indeed. We reached the top after meeting several volunteer path repairers on an obvious popular route. Lunch was had at the Man, and then onwards. It was blowing a good deal on the crests so we made good ground to Swirl How (only stopping to talk to some teachers lost somewhat with a group of boys) and then descended steeply to Swirl Hawse and then steeply up to Wetherlam. This peak is locally known as the Old Man’s Queen. A brief stop off for another food break and then down to our starting point at Coniston. Once down to about the last mile we met two guys who were leading a dog to the village. Not their dog but one they had adopted en-route. Apparently it had followed them off the top ownerless, so they were taking it to the police station in the hope its owners would retrieve it. Today was a good day and Dave led the way in style. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 41 Height (peaks only) 29,399m Distance (level measure) 244 miles Walk Nineteen: Pillar at last with a rock climb onto Yewbarrow Date: Tuesday 24th August 1999 Start: Wasdale Head Distance: 8 miles Weather: Sunny Peaks: Looking Stead 627m (Grid Ref: NY186118) Pillar 892m (Grid Ref: NY171121) Black Crag 828m (Grid Ref: NY165116) Scoat Fell 841m (Grid Ref: NY154112) Steeple 819m (Grid Ref: NY157117) Red Pike 826m (Grid Ref: NY164107) Yewbarrow 628m (Grid Ref: NY175092) After a night in Keswick Dave and I made to Wasdale Head to conquer Pillar. Since the walk up Great Gable in May I’ve wanted to do this one. I never imagined the day would be so thrilling. Again Dave and I were in good form and we took the direct and steep route up to Looking Stead. Then it was along and up again to Pillar itself, a magnificent hill due to the protruding Pillar Rock that juts out halfway down it. We didn’t go down to the rock on this occasion but a resolution for the future. Then around the range to Steeple and Red Pike (not the Red Pike done on walk 10) and then on towards base. The plan was to stay low now and go round Yewbarrow but I was bullish and fancied the climb. Dave said “That’s not a path. It is scree and a rock face!” but I had to do it. Dave stayed to the original route and went round. The climb was tough and once at the rocks I was not going to look down. It was up or bust. I climbed, my legs shook but I couldn’t go back. I made it and was exhilarated. The walk down was nearly as bad, steep and all scree. I met a family group going up and they were finding it hard going too. We chatted for a while and then went our own paths. I had intended for the hill to be a short cut to Wasdale but I ran in a good ½ to 1 hour after Dave. Still, I’d done it and I was so elated. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 48 Height (peaks only) 34,860m Distance (level measure) 252 miles Walk Twenty: Where are we? (50 Peaks in 50 Weeks Achieved!) Date: Wednesday 25th August 1999 Start: Honister Hause Distance: 5 miles Weather: Raining (& cloud at 600m) Peaks: Grey Knotts 697m (Grid Ref: NY219126) Brandreth 715m (Grid Ref: NY215119) Fleetwith Pike 648m (Grid Ref: NY206141) Alas the weather didn’t hold out for our third and final day in the Lake District. We drove from Keswick to Honister knowing today was going to be miserable weather but we were in the lakes and had to do something. We kept it short and headed from the Honister Hause Youth Hostel straight up Grey Knotts, so named because of its craggy top. At 600 metres we were into cloud and couldn’t see beyond 10 metres, but knowing the Knotts ridged to Brandreth we went on. Once at Brandreth we turned and headed straight down. We intended to go back to base but Fleetwith was only a mile to our left so we headed there. Dave stayed by old quarry buildings while I made for the peak. It didn’t take too long to reach and I turned back on reaching the summit. At the buildings Dave was just completing a slate sculpture which he duly did. Then it was a wet walk down to the car, a walk round the quarry shop and then homewards. Not the best of days but it was a great one for me. Brandreth was my 50 th peak. I had achieved my goal for 1999, a challenge I had set last year at Dufton. I will probably never do this again, but I’m not stopping here. It’s got to be a target of 60 now. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 51 Height (peaks only) 36,920m Distance (level measure) 257 miles Walk Twenty One: The Darned Flies!! Date: Friday 3rd September 1999 Start: Barden Bridge Distance: 13 miles Weather: Hazy then Sunny (Very Warm) Peaks: Thorpe Fell 506m (Grid Ref: SE008597) Cracoe Fell Obelisk 500m (Grid Ref: SE993589) The last day of Dave’s fortnight off and the weather gave us the perfect excuse for a nice walk. I left Leeds in sunshine and when I arrived at Dave’s the mist was lifting. On the drive to Barden we hit the mist in the Bolton Abbey area, and so it was when we set off from Barden Bridge towards the Tower and up onto the fells. We reached the reservoirs of Barden Moor and then headed on the ascent to Thorpe Fell. We then met the flies, thousands of the irritating insects flying aimlessly into our faces. Then the sun came out and made things worse. We were sweaty and bombarded by the darned dozy flies. We persevered past some Grouse Butts to the trig point of Thorpe Fell and then onto Cracoe and Rhylstone Fells, accompanied by flies. It was only at the Obelisk and at Rhylstone Cross that we were free of them. The area around the obelisk and cross is very picturesque but heat haze prevented us seeing appreciable distances. The thrill was good all the same. Then it was a walk over the moors to base, leisurely taken and a nice day out once again. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 53 Height (peaks only) 37,926m Distance (level measure) 270 miles Walk Twenty Two: That is not a cow Steve Date: Friday 10th September 1999 Start: Kilnsey Distance: 14 miles Weather: Sunny Peaks: Proctor High Mark 531m (Grid Ref: SD937676) Parsons Pulpit 538m (Grid Ref: SD919687) It was not too long to beginning of college now and probably the last chance of bagging some peaks for a while. Steve and I aimed for Parsons Pulpit for as with Great Pinseat I had tried for this one before. On the previous occasions the weather had closed in on me and I just walked around without finding the (supposed!) trig point. Today was clear and sunny so there was no possibility of it closing in this time. We began out of Kilnsey by walking up Mastiles Lane, a bridleway that links Kilnsey to Malham Tarn. A good pace got the lungs working on both of us and then at the summit of the lane we took a path to our right and headed straight towards High Mark. This we reached and previous walkers had marked it as a cairn. After a brief food intake we then searched out the pulpit. We looked to the highest point; this had to be the pulpit. We arrived and found no trig. It must have been removed some time back. There was no indication of it ever being there, but the map and orientation of the area convinced us that we were where we thought Afterwards we decided to head towards Darnbrook House and then along Cowside Beck to Arncliffe. En route to the valley we came across a field of cows. As we entered the field and walked amongst them we discussed the cows being so high up the fells. We were in the midst of the herd when I noticed one of the cows was rather large and beefy. The particular animal was about 25 yards ahead, directly in our path. “Steve, somehow I don’t think that’s a cow at all, but perhaps a bull”. Steve immediately stopped in his tracks and turned to his left. I didn’t need telling to follow him. We headed to higher ground where the area was rocky and circumnavigated the herd. The bull just stood his ground majestically. He knew who was in charge and it wasn’t Steve or I. We eventually dropped down into the valley and enjoyed a pleasant walk into Arncliffe. From there we walked on to Kilnsey, following the path of the River Skirfare until it flowed into the Wharfe. During our walk along the Skirfare we went through the village of Hawkswick. In days gone by the village will have been home to local farmers and their labour. Not any more, the place was full of Porches, BMW’s, Mercedes and the like. And the old barns are more like palatial homes now. Times are certainly affluent for Hawkswick. We ambled through the village and on to Kilnsey. Another good day’s walking done. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 55 Height (peaks only) 38,995m Distance (level measure) 284 miles Walk Twenty Three: Bogged Down Date: Monday 25th October 1999 Start: Horton in Ribblesdale Distance: 8 miles Weather: Overcast, some sunny spells Peaks: Plover Hill 680m (Grid Ref: SD849752) After a usual busy weekend I woke up planning to do some University work. However, I felt run down so I immediately decided to walk the lethargy off by tackling one of my favourite hills, Penyghent. I originally tackled Penyghent during the three peaks walk in August (see walk 16) but didn’t do the ridge to Plover Hill on that occasion and I do this walk quite often. It’s one of my classic walks, usually done in the company of Steve or Dave (or both), and I usually tackle it by heading from Horton to Penyghent, then over Plover to Foxup Moor and finally back to Horton via the awesome Hull Pot. I decided to reverse the walk for a change. As I drove to Horton it was cloudy and typically it began to rain as I reached Settle. It was still raining when I arrived but fortunately my luck was to change. It stopped as I changed into my walking clothes and apart from the odd shower on the initial walk up the lane to Hull Pot it stayed dry. Hull pot was reached without a stop and then I paused to take in its spectacle. As you approach the pot you can’t see anything. Then at about 50 yards away you begin to hear the water flowing off the land into the pot. At 10 yards you still can’t see it and then after a few steps its there, a great hole where the ground has just disappeared in front of you, large enough to house a small housing estate, fifty feet below the surrounding ground level. After I had taken it in I headed to Foxup Moor. The walking got very boggy and I sunk in to below my ankles on several occasions. I trudged on in it for two miles and then headed up a path onto Plover Hill, the neglected but brilliant tail end of the Penyghent ridge. Once up at the top and after a brief food break I soldiered on to Penyghent itself and then down the face of the hill and to Horton while taking breaks to look back at the crocodile features that I see in the outline of the hills south western flank. Must get at least four more done before the year end. Sixty peaks done does seem like a nice number. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 56 Height (peaks only) 39,675m Distance (level measure) 292 miles Walk Twenty Four: In the Clouds Date: Friday 29th October 1999 Start: Tor Pike Distance: 10 miles Weather: Overcast, some sunny spells Peaks: Great Whernside 667m (Grid Ref: SE002739) Little Whernside 601m (Grid Ref: SE028776) Tor Pike 504m (Grid Ref: SE986757) Dave took a couple of days off work and with my college placement beginning on Monday this was the last opportunity for us to get a weekday walk in for some time. The weather forecast was for a clear day but as we approached Kettlewell the cloud was building and covering the hilltops. We drove up to Tor Pike and immediately set off up Whernside in cloud. We could not see any distance at all and were lucky to use a wall as our means of orienteering to the top. It was steep too so the legs were well and truly worked by the time we made it to the summit. We then turned left and headed down to the bottom between the two Whernsides. It was at the bottom where we emerged out of the cloud and met two walkers pausing for a break. We could also see Angram and Scar House reservoirs now, so were heartened by the views. We could also the cloud lifting off the top of Little Whernside and headed straight for her. It was a little boggy in places but nowhere as bad as it was for me on Monday. At the top there were lots of peat hags and we walked through them like negotiating railway lines. Over the top we stopped for lunch and Dave made coffee. Very welcome. We then headed down into the valley and the tiny hamlet of Braidley. We stopped for a while in a field taking in the local flora and then continued over a footbridge and then enjoyed a good two-mile walk alongside a stream. This was fun as at times the bank disappeared and we had to cling onto the sides of the bank. When the stream met the road we had no choice but to follow the road for the last two miles up to Tor Pike. This was grueling and the cloud had begun to come down again making it even tougher. We were back in the cloud when we reached the welcome sight of the car. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 59 Height (peaks only) 41,447m Distance (level measure) 302 miles Walk Twenty Five: Ice and Snow (end of a millenium) Date: Tuesday 28th December 1999 Start: Jubilee Bridge, Eskdale Distance: 8 miles Weather: Sunny (but cold!) Peaks: Scafell 964m (Grid Ref: NY207065) This was the last walk of 1999, the last walk of this millennium and what a way to finish. Scafell was the only important hill I had missed in my quest this final year of the millennium so it had to be done. I travelled over with Steve and on route met up with Jess Clapham and his friend Mick from Knaresborough. As we climbed into the Lake District the roads got increasingly icy and my car began skidding in places. The roads were getting treacherous and on a bridge at Ulpha the car lost traction altogether. I drove into the skid and just avoided the wall as I regained control and I was only doing about 20 mph! No way could we get over the top to where we were due to start from so we changed plans and drove to Eskdale. That was scary enough but after crawling along for another 10 miles we made it. And then it was the walk to contend with. The views driving up were fantastic, snow topped hills so we looked forward to the next few hours. We set off at a brisk pace apart from when we were on the tarmac. It was so icy we were slipping about on foot too. Onto the paths and we climbed steadily. After about a mile we left Jess and Mick behind, only to see them in the distance later on. Steve and I walked towards the white hills that were Scafell and Scafell Pike. We originally intended to do them both but as we climbed into the snow our pace was slowed, mine in particular as my legs felt like lead with Christmas indulgences catching up no doubt. Soldiering up and scrambling at times we eventually reached the peak of Scafell. Exhilaration set in and it was worth it. The clear views were fantastic and I had a feeling of euphoria on thinking about all the walks of 1999. It wasn’t quite over though for we just had to get down now and after a few slips, slides and falls we made it back to the car. Brilliant! I’ve been so lucky this year with what I’ve done and what I’ve seen and the people, places, memories of it all are there forever, 60 peaks done and all the ones I had planned for included with the original goal of 50 plus 10 extra and a bonus Coast to Coast to boot. I knew I would probably never get the opportunity to do this kind of marathon again but I was so pleased with what I’d achieved this special year. Summary (Running Total ): Peaks completed: 60 Height (peaks only) 42,411m Distance (level measure) 310 miles |
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