Order restored.
Our leader, Andy, returned fresh from the cooling waters of Menai and he had devised a contrasting route to last week’s outing from Cutthroat Bridge when we’d had much warmth, path running and climbing and not much heather, etc. Our delights this time were from Midhopestones elbow where we basked, surprisingly, in cool sunshine; the mountain weather forecast was for two hours of rain between 5pm and 7pm and a feels-like temperature of 7⁰C. if nothing else, the Slow Warts can pick the interesting weather.
The nine of us including, a couple of welcome returnees, Tom and Russ, soon left the concrete track for the short cut through the wood only to take on more concrete track to the red mire and open country. Thank goodness for ruined walls and sheepfolds for without them we wouldn’t have anything to aim for, in this case a combination of the two, set in the last outpost of relative civilisation before the wilds of Pike Lowe. I don’t think the plan was to go to the summit but it seemed to fit with the idea of joining the path to Cut Gate which we crossed to enjoy the slippery formerly purple plastic slope which, I understand, was required to be removed but hasn’t been. It’s more of a ski slope now.
Apart from some old burnt heather, most of the rest of our route to and beyond Mickledon Pond was barely penetrable bracken. Tom led us accurately to the pond which can barely be seen from any angle, and he was the only one to slither down through the bracken to its shore. The rest of us chickened out fearing a complete dunking, not that it would have made much difference to us, we were already sodden in the rain.
Fighting the bracken at Mickledon Pond
The Little Don was hard won, its banks were steep, loose and slippery with many branches to impede the way and the climb out equally so. However, we were enticed to continue by the promise of some “nature” in the form of significant yew trees further down the valley. By this time some of us had had enough of the undergrowth and were heard to say “Xxxx nature”. Yes, there were plenty of trees, mostly obscuring the view until we arrived, eventually, at a clearing with a bridge over the river. There in the distance, was a mighty yew, apparently. Also in view was a steep climb through the heather to Hingcliff Common which, of course, we needed to go up. In so doing, we disturbed a camper whose disembodied welcome from inside the tent surprised us. So as not to spoil any illusions he may have had, we replied that we were out for a quick run.
Whilst some of us went over wild moor next, others took to the track which was clearly faster but not purist. Needless to say, we capitulated and joined the track which was Ok to start with but then turned stoney and very uncomfortable. Could it be counted as Harmerian? We certainly suffered but whether that is a sufficient condition, I don’t know. I’ll leave that for you to decide.
Back to The Plough at Bradfield for a bit of rehydration, analysis and chatter. A classic Slow Warts’ evening with all the right ingredients, rain, wind, cool, very wet vegetation and some climbing. Grand! Thanks to all.
Graham
