Currently, the last entry in the DPFR calendar is for a race from King’s Tree to the cabin in Upper North Grain and back via a sheepfold at the junction of Ravens Clough and the Westend, to be run next year in December. I’m not sure whether recceing part of the route is the result of very systematic advanced planning by the Slow Warts (unlikely) or just somewhere to go on a Wednesday evening (more likely). Having started from King’s Tree in February this year in some rather grim weather, it was a treat for some of us to enjoy the pleasant May conditions and a start not including a dunking in the Derwent. Instead, the Warting was immediate, up directly from the cars through the wood and then on the ridge towards Cow Hey via the infamous track ventured on some years ago, by a brave four-wheeled driver and family, heading for Preston. You’ve got to admire his ambition. Unsurprisingly and despite all the available mechanical advantages, nature, in the form of a deep bog managed to stop progress either forwards or backwards. However, it happened to be a DPFR outing so the brownshirts lead the hapless occupants off the hill and facilitated a rescue operation the following day.
The climb out of the Derwent valley, photo thanks to Michael
No such drama today apart from the descent through the ever-deepening bilberry from Banktop Hey to the bridge over the River Westend. Significantly, there has been much tree felling in this area and, also, in the upper reaches of the Derwent valley. The green has gone, will it be replaced by more deciduous green, hopefully it will, in which case, maps of the area will not need to be amended. Our original tentative target was the Alport trig (the bad weather King’s Tree race alternative) but reality and time had caught up with us, so our ambition had to be curbed by retreating from the moor above Black Clough into the Ravens Clough and the Westend junction.
Decision time
As is almost inevitable for Slow Warts’ outings, there was a split, one group (nine Slow Warts) to the junction and a solo “group” of Andy directly to Westend for a climb up Dry Clough. This latter alternative proved to be quicker than the runnable zig-zag track and the part not-runnable dead bracken used by the nine of us.
Climbing out of Westend photo thanks to Michael
But……………..be warned danger signs are about, new shoots of bracken are emerging so the nearby Mosley Bank will soon be in its most challenging condition.
Danger awaits
Running and not walking was the norm down Black Dike and then, a knee testing descent into Linch Clough for our usual sprint to the car park.
Descent into Linch Clough photo thanks to Michael
In Linch Clough photo thanks to Michael
We managed to avoid the Young Ones of DPFR who were also there, coincidentally, but starting from King’s Tree at 6.50 not the Slow Warts’ time of 5.00. Our clothes changing speed was now critical but we were slightly delayed by our important wardrobe discussions, this time on the speed of wet sock removal and dry sock replacement, without the dangerous risk of serious injury from falling over. After last week’s visit to the Lady Bower Inn, we returned to the welcome of the Yorkshire Bridge Inn where DPFR legends Roger B, Dave L and Bob M were happily ensconced. Much gossip and increasing laughter rounded off a splendid Slow Warts’ outing.
Many thanks to all.
Graham
Track thanks to Chris