It was a warm and sunny evening close to midsummer, so what could be better but to shed our burdensome winter clothing and frolic in our lightweight shorts and tee shirts? With light hearts, we eleven skipped off like springy summer chickens from the Midhopestones elbow down the concrete tracks of the wartime practice remains and, thank goodness, into open country towards the heights of Pike Lowe.
As climbs go, it is hardly a classic, though Slow Warts might make it one of a kind because of not only its fearsome abrasive heather but also the hidden ankle cracking rocks. We certainly know how to enjoy ourselves. However, we were warned, both the OS and the Harvey maps do identify a general area near the summit as Pike Lowe Stones, And, there were plenty of them, reminding some of us of the delights of traversing the Welsh Rhinogs. The heather, however, is not permanent and we took full opportunity to enjoy the mown patches for a bit of soft running. Nevertheless, we didn’t go unscathed as much blood was spilled on the way through the old spiky heather and even the (rapidly) growing fresh bushy heather
We regathered at the summit to admire our wounds and plan our route to Tom’s tree. There was a lot of arm waving in multiple directions to help us decisively (?) decide the direction. Bob, in the meantime, went off on a greater mission to explore new quad tracks towards Margery Hill.
Our heather thrashing continued across Candlerush Dike and, soon to Tom’s tree, in full leaf on the horizon. In view yes, but not there yet.
More flagellation of the legs was still needed before we reached the man traps around Tom’s tree. Some Slow Warts almost disappeared in a deep watery hole which was disguised by sphagnum moss, heather and bracken. Fortunately, the Slow Warts were retrieved and were able to benefit from the healing properties of sphagnum moss which was used to clean and soothe our bleeding legs.
With much more arm waving, in other words, route finding, we dispersed in most directions towards Sugden Clough, listening on the way to a number of curlew but our count of wild animals like the mountain hare had been zero. However, we had our own hare, spotted hurtling down his favourite descent of the track down Sugden Clough. We took chase but to no avail, Jim O was waiting for us at the concrete military remains.
Time to celebrate, at the Old Horns, unusually crowded and requiring us to go from standing only via three other tables to one that could accommodate ten of us on the outside veranda to discuss pills that were being taken and sightings of a small deer with a white tail mistaken for a hare!
What an evening to remember, a great outing in the wild, good company and a spectacular view. Thanks to all.
Graham
