After last week’s gentle downhill start, we reverted to the brutal normality of an uphill one from Birchen Clough from the cars up to anticipated feels like temperatures of minus 4⁰C in the strongish wind. The usual debate started on whether it was better or worse to ascend or descend, so until we’d done both, we decided to hold judgement. Whatever, it was a hard and rocky climb.
Reaching the top gave us the pleasure of looking down on the valley below, trying to imagine the road and the cars weren’t there. We soon left that view on our search for the Upper North Grain cabin. Our tendency was to follow the continuation of the path over the moor though Andy strongly advised (“more left”) to follow the thin edge path. In time we did, all the way to North Grain, which, while stating the obvious, is not Upper North Grain. So, the eight of us (including a welcome return of Anna from her snow and ice adventures) went over the moor and dropped down to the cabin. Our last visit to a cabin was to the nearby Oyster cabin which sets the standard, it has a corrugated steel roof compared to this one with a simple turf roof, nevertheless a very welcome shelter.
Being at the cabin reminded us of its use as a checkpoint for the December birthday race from King’s tree. Originally planned with just this one checkpoint but improved by Bob’s suggestion of an addition of a sheepfold at the junction of Ravens Clough and the Westend on the return leg (there was also one at the start of Linch Clough to avoid a stretch of road running!).
Where next? To another spectacular (to me anyway) valley, the Alport. However, appropriately, we were diverted by the sunset view which brightened the otherwise dull brown scenery. It lifted the spirits. A quick scan over the Alport valley enabled us to define a route
towards the Upper and Nether Reddales. Whilst an offer for a down and up trip into the adjacent Alport valley bottom, was made, there was little or no enthusiasm, so we didn’t.
So, instead, it was a tedious plod across the tussocks and bogs to meet the ridge path which eventually led to the final descent to the car park.
This was now judgement time. Was it better or worse to descend or ascend this path (hardly an accurate description)? Judging by the number of groans, falls and despite our careful slowness, descending seemed to be the lesser preference. Despite this, we all survived though with some knee discomfort which was quickly forgotten at the YBI (despite a couple of the pale ales not being available). In typical Warts’wide ranging post-outing discussions, we covered the question of whether we could call it an actual run, probably not, and how often had the “run” returned with either more or fewer Warts than we set off with. And, in view of the cool windy evening what was the preferred kit, a few layers seemed to be the general conclusion.
Whilst it had been a slow outing, it had been bracing and enjoyable. Thanks to all.
Graham
