About me
This website is dedicated to my personal Mountain Walking and Mountaineering experiences over very many years. I've been enjoying the great outdoors since at the tender age of nine, my Uncle and Cousin took me on a Youth Hostelling weekend to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire where we stayed at St Briavels Castle, which is still a Youth Hostel. I've been walking and climbing in all areas of the UK from as far north as the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye through the Lake District, Yorkshire, the Peak District, North, Mid and South Wales right down to Devon and Cornwall.
In Europe I have organised and participated in successful expeditions to Switzerland, the Italian Dolomites and the French Alps. Further afield, I have been to South America to climb Aconcagua, Africa to climb Meru Peak and Kilimanjaro by the difficult Western Breach route, to Nepal, which was a lifetime ambition, to climb Gokyo Ri, Kala Patthar and Chukhung Ri, then in 2019 I went to Russia for an attempt on Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe. I have written about many of these trips and expeditions and these reports are in the 'Previous Expeditions' pages.
During those expeditions I had the opportunity to test out all types of equipment and the Equipment Review page lists most of this gear along with my honest opinion. Hopefully that will be of use to anyone considering purchasing equipment.
Over the years, I have been slowly but surely climbing all of the 2,000 foot mountains in England and Wales as defined by the Nuttalls guides, i.e. 2,000 foot (610m) with a 50 foot (15m) prominence. As a labour of love, I have listed all of these mountains along with the date of ascent on the Mountain Log Book page. During 2023 I completed all of the mountains in Wales and in July 2024 I completed all of the English ones with Pillar Rock being the final mountain. I have created a database SQL file and also a spreadsheet containing the list. Anyone who reads this and would like an electronic copy of the full list of Mountains, get in touch and I'd be happy to provide it free of charge, but be warned, it gets very addictive! In fact, so much so that I am now tackling the Marilyn group of mountains. These can be any height but must have a prominence of 521 foot (150m). Obviously some Nuttalls are Marilyns and vice versa so I was off to a good start anyway. These live on the Marilyn Log Book page.
In the meantime, have a look around the site, read the reviews and reports and let me know what you think, it will be great to hear from you.
UK Mountains Blog 2024
Lake District Marilyns 21/11/2024
I have a theory that combining two Marilyn Peaks requires a lot of effort. Today supported that theory!
I was dropped off not far from Ulpha and made my way on a good path in the direction of Whitfell (572m). Being the Lake District, it was uphill constantly for about an hour before I crested the rise and headed to the trig point. There was a small shelter there, but today was incredibly cold so I stopped briefly to put on my Jacket and swap beanie for my Russian hat before pressing on to the intermediate hill of Buck Barrow (550m).Whitfell and Buck Barrow 21/11/2024
Buck Barrow 21/11/2024
Being slightly lower than Whitfell, it was initially downhill with a little rise up to the rocky summit. As I would retrace my steps, I dumped my sac and made the final climb unencumbered.Buck Barrow 21/11/2024
Black Combe 21/11/2024
From there, I could see Black Combe (600m) some distance away, It was cold, but very clear. My route followed paths which took something of a meandering route, so once down at the road, I elected to take a more direct route to the ridge. This proved mixed. Being winter, the going was quite easy, very little undergrowth, but I did encounter a stream with associated long grass which proved tricky to cross, but once over I was soon up on the ridge and heading for my final summit of the day. A long but not too steep walk bought me onto the top and a very welcome and well constructed shelter gave me time for a drink and some food.
Eventually I had to leave and picked up the wide track that took me all the way down to my meeting point. It was very steep and quite slippy in places but I eventually got onto flatter ground. With about ten minutes to go, it started snowing! I had to stop to put on waterproofs but of course, it was short lived.
A great day out, two Marilyns and a 500m peak for the collection. A total of 17km and 830m of climbing.
Black Combe 21/11/2024
Freehold Top Marilyn 20/11/2024
I parked just outside Shawforth on what looked like either a Gypsy encampment or a group of small-holdings.
From there a good track led North to pick up the West Pennine Bridleway which was followed on ever steepening ground right up to the ridge of the hillside. Onward onto the Rossendale Way until breaking off North East towards the summit of Freehold Top (454m). There was plenty of snow on the ground but the going was easy enough and after scaling a couple of walls and fences I came to the Trig point and the summit.
This was another out and back day and I retraced my steps to the Rossendale Way and followed that past the way up and onwards to another descent route. It was a little unclear which side of the fence the path went but I elected to keep the fence on my left - correct! Lower down, there were two gates which led out onto a track which I followed all the way back to the car.
Today finished all of the Marilyns in Lancashire, of which, there are six, and bought my total up to 212 completed.Freehold Top 20/11/2024
Lad Law Marilyn 19/11/2024
It was a gloriously snowy day, not cold and not actually snowing, but clearly it had been.
My route started at a car park around 5km away on the Eastern side of Burnley. A short road walk and we joined the Bronte Way followed by the Pendle Way which made going easy and quick. We encountered a rather unusual arch, which seemed to serve no actual purpose!The Arch 19/11/2024
Lad Law 19/11/2024
Of course, this had to end as we turned off the path and headed directly up on a very thin track, just about visible with the snow covering. It was steady going until just below the Abbot Stone where it steepened dramatically until finally easing off for the last 300-400m to the trig point at the summit. I didn't stay long as there was a cold wind blowing, instead, descended to the Abbot Stone for lunch, then retraced my steps back to the bottom and all the way back to the car.
Great day out. Didn't see a single person all day and Rosie thoroughly enjoyed her snowy romp on the hills. Lad Law Summit 19/11/2024
Long Knoll 31/10/2024
A steep start from the main road, but luckily there is space for a single car at the foot of the climb so no need to walk along the road. Once the knoll is reached, it's just a walk along the ridge and twenty minutes later I was stood at the trig point. Another twenty minutes back to the car and off to Maiden Bradley for lunch at the awesome cafe in the centre of the village on the left hand side - definitely recommended!Long Knoll Hill 31/10/2024
A Somerset morning 30/10/2024
A quick raid into Somerset to claim Staple Hill (315m). I parked at the Castle Neroche car park and enjoyed a very pleasant hour or so on forest tracks walking over to Staple Hill. The trig point takes a bit of finding as there is no pointy bit on this hill, just part of the woodland, but eventually I located it hidden by ferns and undergrowth. The return was more or less a reverse of the outbound route with a slight diversion onto a lower track for part of it just for the fun.Staple Hill 30/10/2024
Dorsets finest Marilyns 28/10/2024
Climbing more than one Marilyn in any single day is generally a huge challenge, not because of the altitude or difficulty but because of the distances involved. Today was such a day.
I got dropped off at Morcombelake very close to Hardown Hill (207m) and headed more or less straight up. The summit was nothing special, just a clump of trees with no marking. By now it was raining so I didn't pause, but headed off and so began a very long, muddy, tricky walk North. The going was very soft, there were overgrown stiles making progress slow, unbelievably muddy fields and tracks.Hardown Hill 28/10/2024
Lewsdon Hill 28/10/2024
I finally arrived at the foot of the steep climb to the summit of Lewesdon Hill (279m). It was a good pull up with no reward of a view, the mist had been low all day and the rain had not really stopped.
From there, an initial steep descent followed by more muddy tracks until I came to Beaminster. Electing to follow the footpath rather than the road, I made progress until right at the end where there was a mud fest to do battle with. Both the dog and I came out somewhat muckier than we had gone in! Luckily the finish point (Greyhound Inn) was a couple of minutes further on and they had a sign welcoming muddy paws and boots - just as well!
Actually, a rewarding day out of ten miles and the completion of the Dorset Marilyns.Lewesdon Hill 28/10/2024
Dorset Marilyns 27/10/2024
Into another county and another Marilyn. Actually the walk today was a lot more than I needed to do for the bag. I started in Corfe and walked to Swanage via Nine Barrows Down to bag that (10km). The walk was on excellent terrain although there was a bit of fence hopping at the end to stand on the actual summit. Getting down into Swanage afterwards was challenging with the path deteriorating into a mud-fest but eventually I arrived at the Steam railway station.Nine Barrows Down 27/10/2024
Corfe to Wareham 27/10/2024
A fine steam powered return to Corfe on the Swanage Railway saw me head off North on the Purbeck Way to follow that on mostly good, if slightly muddy tracks all the way into Wareham (11km). As I approached the final mile or so I realised that I might be able to catch the 14:04 train, I just about had time if the sign posts were correct - they weren't! I followed the River Frome to the main road and discovered the station was a further 3/4 mile. I had just over 10 minutes! Hurrying along and at times running, I came into the station area to see my train just pulling in, thankfully, two minutes late! I hurried onto the platform and just made it on as the doors were closing! One minute later I would have missed it.
A thirty minute ride and I was in Dorchester, the day done.Corfe Castle 27/10/2024
Somerset Marilyns 26/10/2024
There aren't many, in fact just three. Today, I claimed one of them: Beacon Batch. I had planned a reasonable walk but unfortunately my chosen car park was full and the only one with any space was much closer to the summit so it was a quick up and down. It's a nice hill with good views on the top and actually a reasonable climb so happy with that.Beacon Batch 26/10/2024
Big day out in Wales 05/10/2024
Today was a big day out, no less than four Marilyns were in my sights. I started with Moel y Golfa, parking at a convenient car park in Middletown, it was a short walk to the footpath that would lead me up. As soon as I could, Rosie was off the lead and running around exploring.
Golfa is steep, very steep and for a first hill of the day, quite a shock to the legs. The path was in general, quite good and I made my way up, eventually onto easier ground and the summit ridge.
Whilst the summit has no trig point, it is obvious and nearby there is a monument so difficult to miss!
It took me 40 minutes up. The descent was a reverse and I was back at the car after a further 25 minutes.
Onto the next one.Moel y Golfa 05/10/2024
Allt y Main 05/10/2024
A small layby functioned as a starting point for this peak. The path started well, but soon deteriorated into a very thin track that made its way steeply up through the forest and bracken. Finally I emerged into a good track which led me up again to the summit area. This time the summit did have a trig point so again, obvious. The views over this part of Wales are very pleasant but largely lower hills rather than big mountains.
The descent was a reverse although I think I took a slightly different track down, it emerged at the same point so no worries there.
Two down, two to go.Allt y Main 05/10/2024
Mynydd-y-briw 05/10/2024
There is the tiniest of pull-ins, just capable of taking two cars. With luck, there was one space. The ascent of this hill is basically through the gate and straight up the tarmac track to the radio mast, through the next gate and onto the summit area. Even so, it was so steep I had to stop for a breather on the way! A quick photo and I was back at the car in just over 15 minutes.Mynydd-y-briw 05/10/2024
The final peak of the day. 05/10/2024
The walk started slightly earlier than planned. There is a good car park at Moelfre Hall with an honesty box charging a very reasonable £5 for a day. I figured I would be there a couple of hours, so popped £3 in - actually it was all I had!
The walk is straightforward on good tracks, but like the others today, very very steep! It zig-zags its way up with a final grassy ascent that seems even steeper and I was glad to be on the summit. Again, the return was a reverse of the ascent and I was back at the car in just over one hour from leaving it.
In total, I walked just over 14km with around 1,000m of climbing, bagging four more Marilyns.Gyrn Moelfre 05/10/2024
Fly, Cycle, Walk 04/10/2024
A new type of triathlon. I flew down to Shoreham, cycled to Brighton, caught the train to Lewes, cycled up a very steep hill to the golf course, then walked to the summit of Cliffe Hill. To get back, I reversed the route. Excellent day out with the sun shining all day. What better way to spend a day than doing all the things I love doing?Cliffe Hill, Lewes 04/10/2024
South Wales frustrations 10/09/2024
I'd set out with three walks planned, none of them too long, but together made a fine day out. After some frustrating road works on the Heads of the Valleys, I finally turned off onto quieter roads. With less than two miles to go, the road I needed was closed! There was no alternative so I had to abandon my plans. Quickly checking, there were several other options not too far away so I headed off for about twenty minutes to another walk. Mynydd Drumau was the hill I chose.Mynydd Drumau 10/09/2024
Mynydd Drumau 10/09/2024
I parked near a church - there's always parking near churches, and headed off along some lanes before heading out into the woods that surround the hill. Previous experience has taught me that forest tracks on maps cannot be relied on but these were marked and pretty good. I zig zagged my way up before emerging onto open ground. A short walk across a field and one stone wall and I was on the summit. The views were pretty good and made it all worthwhile. My return was a reverse of the way up and just over an hour and 6km, my first hill was in the bag.Hills two and three 10/09/2024
A thirty minute drive and I was parking up for the second, and longer walk of the day. I'd only got a rudimentary route planned as I had not planned to be doing it just yet. No matter, I'd figure it out. The first section was along a road, but we soon left that for a steep lane which became a footpath. Higher up, the marked path vanished and I had to make my way around some new houses to gain the route.
On a good path we passed through a farm, then the path became very thin and steep - this was a one direction only path! Up we went to eventually emerge onto a forest track. This wound its way up nicely to within a couple of hundred metres of the summit of Mynydd Dinas, where we had a fight with the undergrowth to get to the Trig point. There was no view, no nothing, so a quick photo and we reversed our route back out and down the forest track to a seat I'd spied. That would be lunch.
From there, we could see our destination hill which had three radio masts on the summit so easy to spot.
While we ate our lunch, we could see over Port Talbot and the M4, pretty nasty! We could also see the rain cloud approaching!Mynydd Dinas 10/09/2024
Foel Fynyddau 10/09/2024
Lunch done, we set off with some urgency, hoping (in vain) to beat the rain. The route to the final hill was either fight through undergrowth or walk a longer but almost certainly quicker route along a lane. I chose the lane.
The rain soon caught us, and heavy it was too, my trousers soaked within minutes and as we arrived at the final path up to the summit of Foel Fynyddau, the wind being behind us, soaked my trousers right through. The final section to the summit was shrouded in mist so, on arrival, a quick photo and we headed down.
I'd spied what looked like a good track down the side of the wooded area and we followed it. Nicely downhill but not too steep, we would soon be back at the car. Disaster! The track ended with no onward path. I looked around and tried a couple of thin tracks, but they quickly became a fight. Nothing for it but to walk all the way back up again!
At the top we turned down and picked up another, almost parallel path, this time with more success and we soon came to the outskirts of the village I'd parked my car in. The final walk down the roads seemed to take forever but we finally got to the car, the hills done.
Soaked through, I dried Rosie as best I could, jumped in the car and put the heaters and seat on full to dry out.
In the end, a successful day, with three hills done, but not quite what I had planned.Foel Fynyddau 10/09/2024
At Toddington 26/08/2024
The Isbourne Way 26/08/2024
I have been thinking of doing this walk for some time now and finally got around to it. It is quite an undertaking, being 25km in a day, but with not much ascent, seemed doable and it was. I elected to walk uphill, so from where the river ends (at the Avon in Evesham) back to the source (on Cleeve Hill). There is a full report with pictures on the Previous Expeds page. Check it out.Chilterns Finest 06/08/2024
To ascend Wendover Woods is not a great challenge so I tacked on 12 additional miles of the Ridgeway to make it worthwhile.
Wendover Woods is a very pleasant walk from Wendover requiring just a short section of road. I always thought Snowdon would be the only mountain with a cafe on top, but Wendover Woods summit, it you can call it that, features a cafe very close, so close in fact that I had to stop for a coffee and bacon roll.Wendover Woods 06/08/2024
Rejoining the Ridgeway 06/08/2024
Suitably fed I was off to rejoin the Ridgeway. It had been raining more or less from the get go so I was pleased that a lot of the walk was in the woods, sheltering me from the rain. Eventually of course, I had to break out and soon came to Tring Station which signalled the final section up to Ivinghoe Beacon which is where the Ridgeway ends. My path took me beyond and after a slight detour due to lack of path I finished at the Travellers Rest Inn. 15 Miles of good walking and a fine day out.Ivinghoe Beacon 06/08/2024
Callow Hill trig and summit 30/07/2024
Flounders Folly 30/07/2024
Back to Shropshire 30/07/2024
I parked at probably the biggest layby in the county on the B4368. It was a short road walk to the footpath. Being summer, of course it was overgrown so I dodged and whimpered my way past the various stinging nettles and thorn bushes to emerge onto a good track.
I followed this for a while steadily upwards until once again the path entered a stinging jungle, thankfully short lived and onto another good track which I followed up past Hill End Farm, through the woods and onto a zig zag path which gained the final height to emerge at Flounders Folly, a tower built on the summmit.
I decided I would have to locate the trig point which I did, in a field, and realised it was not the high point, the tower is.
A short break and I was on my way down, reversing the uphill route and back at the car in just under two hours.Hailstorm Hill Summit 26/07/2024
View from the summit ridge 26/07/2024
Back to Lancashire 26/07/2024
Waterfoot made a good starting point for the climb of Hail Storm Hill. There’s a bit of road walking but it soon gives way to tracks and paths as it makes its way up and around Cowpe reservoir.
Onto the summit ridge, the path more or less disappears in the direction of the summit. As a summer walk it’s quite easy, as a winter walk it would be tough, muddy and slippy.
Finally the summit arrives, marked by a small pile of stones. The descent was through the Cowpe quarry which was quite interesting. From there I followed the Pennine Bridleway all the way back to Waterfoot on a good track making a really nice circular walk with excellent views on the summit.Mynydd Machen 19/07/2024
Mynydd y Lan 19/07/2024
Back in the Valleys 19/07/2024
I parked in the Sirhowy Valley Country Park, then headed up Mynydd y Lan, although it took some finding to get onto the hill and I found myself climbing some steep dusty paths crossing forest tracks. Eventually I emerged onto open ground and headed for what seemed to be the summit. The grid reference was not even close so I picked what looked like the high point.
From there I retraced my steps down to the valley and followed tracks and narrow lanes to pick up the Cambrian Way to ascend Mynydd Machen, the summit of which was much more obvious and made a nice lunch stop with views over the Severn Estuary. It also showed me there is a more direct route up y Lan!
Descending back down was frustrating as the path I took past a farm came to a dead end - no choice but to climb the fence, then the tracks that were meant to lead to the valley didn't exist so I had a long out and back following forest tracks.
It was a super hot day and the distance on OS maps was not even close to the actual distance. It claimed 8km whereas it was 15km, it claimed 600m of ascent, it was over 900m!Lambrigg Fell 05/07/2024
Cheeky peak 05/07/2024
I couldn't resist a final Marilyn on the way home, so stopped off to climb Lambrigg Fell. At only 340 metres it isn't much and the way I did it, the ascent was much less, but it is done and a fitting end to a great weeks climbing which saw me conquer no less than 13 peaks, roughly half Nuttalls and half Marilyns, although High Stile counted in both categories.Pillar Rock 04/07/2024
Final mountain 04/07/2024
Well, after many many years of climbing mountains, I finally conquered the final Nuttall! It was Pillar Rock in Ennerdale. We walked over from Borrowdale via Scarth Gap, descended into Ennerdale and then made the big climb up to the base of Pillar Rock. From there, it was a multi-pitch rock climb right to the summit. The weather was dreadful with driving rain, wind and cold temperatures. I think it was the first time I'd rock climbed in full waterproof gear!
Of course, that is only half the battle and we needed a two pitch abseil followed by some tricky walking across and back down to Ennerdale, followed by another ascent of Scarth Gap and finally back into Borrowdale. In total I ascended over 1,500 metres which is actually about double the height of Pillar Rock!Watch Hill 03/07/2024
Binsey 03/07/2024
Another two bite the dust 03/07/2024
Another two Marilyns today. First off was the highest: Binsey at 447m. Good parking just off the main road then after crossing, a good path all the way to the summit. Quite steep towards the end but it was short lived. There is a shelter and trig point on the top, so a proper hill. Descent was the reverse. Then onto Watch Hill, which at 254m was much lower although there was 220m of ascent compared to Binsey at 287m of ascent so not much in it. A straightforward ascent following a good path right to the end. There are a few undulations on the last section but nothing to worry about. This summit is marked by a few small boulders. Again, return was retracing the way up.Swinside 01/07/2024
Lords Seat 01/07/2024
Back to the Marilyns 01/07/2024
Two Marilyns today and very different experiences they were too! Starting in Powter How I headed more or less directly uphill to ascent Lords Seat. The weather was particularly inclement with rain right from the get go. As I ascended I headed into cloud which of course meant high humidity which meant my waterproofs became nothing more than something to keep me warm rather than dry. The path is relentless and steep almost right to the summit. From there, it heads down into the woods and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the paths on the map actually existed!
Into and out of Thornthwaite in a flash my route took me South to Braithwaite then onwards to the foot of Swinside. There is no obvious path from the road below so I headed across a field hoping to find a gate but instead a section of broken fence allowed me access onto Swinside. A brief battle with the undergrowth and I was onto a forest track. The hill is a mere 244m high but it is steep, and I was well pleased to be on the summit. Some views across to Cat Bells and Causty Pike made it worthwhile. Following a forest track I soon emerged onto the road where I saw a sign claiming private land! Ho Hum. A short distance later I was at the pub and the finish.Rock Climbing 30/06/2024
Today was a rock climbing day 30/06/2024
I've not rock climbed for many years but I fancied a day out on the crags so booked Mountain Journeys, a Lake District guiding company for a days climbing on a crag. ( mountain-journeys.co.uk )
We went to Shepherds Crag near Keswick and managed to ascent no less than four routes: Brown Crag Arete (Diff), Little Chamonix (HS) , Donkey Ears (VDiff) and Brown Crag (Diff). The grades were at the lower end but they made a superb day out, all bar Brown Crag being multi-pitch which made them even better.
The weather was kind to us with no rain all day, unlike yesterday and probably unlike tomorrow, so the day choice was inspired. Most enjoyable day out but my toes hurt (tight rock shoes), my arms hurt (pumped) and for some reason, my back also hurts!Crummock Water 29/06/2024
Red Pike 29/06/2024
High Crag 29/06/2024
Nuttall bagging 29/06/2024
With seven Nuttalls to go, today was a big day, I ticked off another six! From Buttermere I climbed High Crag (744m), High Stile (807m), Dodd (641m), Red Pike (755m), Starling Dodd (633m), Great Borne (616m) in a big 23km day out. The weather was pretty awful with rain and low cloud all day, but the peaks were done. I might return in the summer and do them again as the view must be spectacular.
The final peak is booked for Thursday. What could possibly go wrong?Hutton Roof Crags 28/06/2024
Here we go again 28/06/2024
Heading off to the Lake District to hopefully mop up the remaining Nuttalls ( nuttalls.com ) and bag a few Marilyns along the way, today we stopped off at Hutton Roof to climb Hutton Roof Crags. A reasonable car park and the entrance to the woods led to a very pleasant walk up through the woods to the summit. It doesn't appear right until the end which is slightly disconcerting. Excellent views all around made it worthwhile.Wapley Hill 24/06/2024
Shobdon Hill 24/06/2024
Worcestershire complete 24/06/2024
Bagged two more Marilyns in a combined walk/bike ride. I managed to cycle most of the way up Shobdon Hill, although there was a steep section that required walking up and down. The summit was in the midst of ferns, nettles and undergrowth which was not much fun. I then cycled over to Wapley Hill, parking the bike in the car park and walking up. This time, the summit was easier, being on a mound on the earthworks. Nothing marks it so it was bagged by eye.Wentwood Forest 21/06/2024
Wentwood Forest 21/06/2024
I decided to combine a days motorbiking with an objective so rode down to Wentwood near Usk in South Wales, parked up in the forest and took a scenic route around to the highest point. At just 309 metres, it was a little contrived to find a suitable walk and the OS map is massively out of date as regards the footpaths, so quite a bit of lane walking was required. Also the trig point is well hidden down a tiny track. The weather was excellent all day.St Boniface Down 20/06/2024
Highest peak on the IoW 20/06/2024
Not too much of a challenge to be fair, but St Boniface Down at 242 metres wins. I cycled from the airport to the base of the hill, stashed my bike and headed up. To be fair, it's quite a climb onto the summit area but the true summit is behind fences that guard the radio station so we have to be satisfied with the path to one side which will be within a metre or so. Actually, the trig point is well down from the summit so doesn't count either. Pleasant walk and good views. Back at the bike I headed to the seaside for a well-earned lunch.Bardon Hill 14/06/2024
Leicestershires highest 14/06/2024
The competition is not all that high, but today I made an ascent of Bardon Hill via Birra Birra Hill. It is a nice walk, apart from crossing a very busy A road. The final ascent has been changed due to quarrying in the area and the alternative footpath soon deteriorates into a fight near the top. Good views but I didn't stay long due to the approaching rain storm. As it turned out, I just caught the edge of it.Robin Hoods Bay 11/06/2024
Yorkshire Coast bimble 11/06/2024
I parked at the radio mast near Ravenscar and made my way down to the old railway line which is now a very pleasant track leading in a roundabout sort of way to Robin Hoods Bay where I had lunch. My return route followed the Cleveland Way along the coastline to Boggle Hole and beyond, although there was a footpath diversion for a short way. As I approched the radio mast, it was clear that the entire climbing of the day would be right at the end with over 200 metres in the final couple of kilometres but it was easy ground and soon done. Fifteen kilometres made a very pleasant day out.Guisborough Moor 06/06/2024
North Yorkshire Moors done 06/06/2024
The highest point on the North Yorkshire Moors is Guisborough Moor. I parked in a convenient car park not far from Great Ayton and headed off. There are a lot of tracks going in lots of directions but I got the one I wanted and headed off. It was a good track which eventually bought me to a road. My original intention was to follow the road for a while then pick up another path. Rather than do that, I took a direct line across the moors. The going was mostly okay and I soon found myself at the Sleddale Farm. There is no choice at this point but to follow the path through the farmland, then up and around to the summit. Of course, being a moorland, there were two choices. The furthest one turned out to be the high point and it had a nice shelter for lunch. From there, back across and I followed the line of the woodland to join the Cleveland Way, then headed across more open land to pick up the path down to the car. 15km walked and 419m of height gained.Bishop Wilton Wold 05/06/2024
Possibly the easiest one 05/06/2024
Bishop Wilton Wold (248m)
Barely worth it, but as I was passing. Parked the car and walked across the road to the trig point. Well, I would haver but it was inside a locked water treatment site so not accessible. Some websites claim a tumulus as being the true summit but surely that is man-made so doesn't count? Either way I'm counting it and not planning to return anytime soon.
Pendle Hill 05/06/2024
Where the witches go 05/06/2024
Pendle Hill (557m)
Downham is the perfect place to park for Pendle Hill. There is a free car park and the walk out to the base of the climb is a very pleasant meander through fields on dedicated paths. Once on the hill it is relentless upwards. I'd been walking in shorts an T-Shirts but about one third of the way up the waterproofs came out in defence of a hailstorm! It continued to rain for much of the way up and when that passed over, I had to keep the waterproofs in to combat the cold wind.
Pendle Hill summit is more of a plateau with the trig point being very slightly higher than the surroundings. Clearly popular, there are good stone tracks approaching it from all directions.
The return was the reverse of the way up. I finally took off the waterproofs as I reached the final walk into Downham. There is a small cafe in the village which does an excellent coffee and bisuit.
White Hill 04/06/2024
And another one 04/06/2024
White Hill (544m)
A few miles North of Slaidburn, there is a very small car park. It was from there, that my second walk of the day began. The weather was dreadful, with driving rain, but it had to be done. Initially it is a good track that leads up the hill, but that peters out to almost nothing, so it was a case of make your own route. It was made harder with plenty of peaty groughs and streams requiring dropping down and climbing up. The view was non-existent and I was continually taking bearings to take the best route to the summit. The driving rain into my face didn't help and a couple of times I questioned my sanity! Finally the trig point came in sight and we headed over to it, with a second summit marker a little way away, which of course I had to visit. I stayed long enough to take a couple of photos, then another bearing and I was off back down. My descent route was slightly different to the ascent and I was back forty minutes later. With an ascent time of around one hour and fifteen minutes it was a significantly faster, I guess because the rain and wind were behind me. Seven kilometers, it seemed further, and just over 600 metres of ascent made for a good, but tough walk.
Easington Hill 04/06/2024
More in Bowland 04/06/2024
Easington Hill (396m)
I parked in Slaidburn and headed off through a very wet field to avoid the walk up the road. As a result of following the obvious path, I missed the actual path and emerged onto the road much higher than intended so had to walk back down about as far as I would have walked up!
That little problem solved I headed out in the direction of Easington Hill crossing farming fields, some with sheep and some without. Rosie was very confused, on and off the lead. Eventually I emerged onto open land and headed up on a reasonable track. No sooner had I done that, than the rain started, which would continue for most of the day. I had to choose a jumping off point to get to the actual summit and I was lucky enough to find a thin track which took me very close to the summit. It was then a short distance to the summit, marked by a small pile of stones. From there, across to a path which I followed to the road, then aimed off across more open land, reasonable going but no actual path. After a steep downhill, it was more farmland until I got to the river Hodder which I could follow directly back to Slaidburn. Thirteen kilometres walked with just over 640m of ascent.Fair Snape Hill 03/06/2024
Bowland Part 2 03/06/2024
After Longridge I drove the seven miles ish around to the foot of Fair Snape Hill (521m), parking in another very small and very popular car park. Initially I skirted around to the East, following a good farmland track. Eventually we started uphill and once on the ridge, followed it on a nice track pretty much right to the summit. Only a short distance on a thin peaty track bought me to the summit, which had a pile of stones and an information board. From there I followed the obvious track to the trig point and shelter, which actually are 10 metres lower but must do for many walkers. Returning, I ascended Parlick (432m) mostly because it was in the way, but I figured it might appear in one of my many lists! The weather was fine, a cool breeze but no rain.Longridge Fell 03/06/2024
Forest of Bowland 03/06/2024
Another two hill day. First to be ticked off was Longridge Fell (350m), a quick jaunt up a forest track from a handy, though popular small car park on the South Side. Easy walking on a good track led me to the final slightly less good, but still fine track to the summit trig point. From there I could see Fair Snape in the distance. Return was a case of retracing my steps.
Walking
From single day to several weeks, I have walked many of Britains long distance footpaths. Below are some of the more well-known routes.
| Route | Distance | Description |
|---|
Isbourne Way
(August 2024) | 15 miles | From Cleeve Hill to Evesham. |
Shropshire Way
(August 2023 onwards) | 200 miles | Figure of eight centred on Shrewsbury. |
Hadrians Wall
(April 2023) | 90 miles | From Bowness to Newcastle. |
Wysis Way
(April 2022) | 55 miles | From the Wye to the source of the Thames. |
St Kenelms Way
(March 2022) | 52 miles | Clent Hills to Winchcombe. |
The Ridgeway
(September 2019) | 87 miles | Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon. |
Three Choirs Way
(March 2019) | 100 miles | Gloucester to Hereford to Worcester to Gloucester. |
Gloucestershire Way
(December 2018) | 100 miles | From Chepstow to Tewkesbury. |
Severn Way
(August 2018) | 210 miles | Following the River Severn. |
Winchcombe Way
(May 2013) | 42 miles | Around the Cotswolds. |
Limestone Way
(December 2012) | 60 miles | Rocester to Castleton in Derbyshire. |
Welsh 3000s
(July 2000) | 28 miles | All 3,000' mountains. |
Worcestershire Way
(July 1992, August 1992 and August 2004) | 38 miles | Wyre Forest to Malverns. |
Pennine Way
(August 1977) | 270 miles | Edale to Kirk Yetholm (Scotland). |
Cotswold Way
(August 1991) | 96 miles | Bath to Chipping Campden. |
Coast to Coast
(August 1990) | 192 miles | Robin Hoods Bay, Yorkshire to St Bees in Cumbria. |
6 Shropshire Peaks
(July 1990 and April 1992) | 40 miles | East to West Shropshire. |
Lyke Wake Walk
(July 1983) | 40 miles | Yorkshire Moors. |
Offas Dyke
(July 1980) | 180 miles | Length of the Welsh Border. |
Rock Climbing
Some years ago, I qualified as an SPA Instructor, and whilst it has probably lapsed due to inactivity, I have fond memories of rock climbing in many areas of the UK & abroad, particularly at Symonds Yat, North Wales, the Peak District, Mid-Wales, Cornwall & Scotland. I have many hundreds of logged climbs in my log book and during my time, have climbed many more than I have recorded.
Mountaineering
There are many beautiful mountain ranges in the world, many within easy reach of the UK. I am fortunate to have been to a large number of them. Below are the best.
| Mountain (Range) | Description |
|---|
Mount Ararat
(September 2023) | The Highest Mountain in Turkey 5,137m. |
|
Elbrus
(August 2019) | The Highest Mountain in Europe 5,642m. |
|
Nepal
(October 2018) | Trekking in the Himalaya to a maximum of 5,643m. |
|
Kilimanjaro
(September 2017) | The highest mountain on the continent of Africa at 5,895m. |
Teide, Tenerife
(April 2015) | Highest Mountain in Spain (Tenerife) at 3,718m. |
|
Alesch Glacier
(August 2001) | Including the Hexenstein in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. |
|
Aconcagua
(January 2001) | Highest Mountain in South America at 6,960m. |
|
Dolomites
(August 2000) | Northern Italys' most famous range. |
|
Matterhorn
(August 1997) | Most famous Mountain in Switzerland at 4,405m. |
|
Mont Blanc
(September 1995) | Highest Mountain in Western Europe at 4,807m. |
|
