~Pen-y-Ghent~
16th January 2016
Believe it or not, this is the first Saturday since 31st October 2015 that the weather has been condusive to a pleasant countryside ramble. Saturday's are "walking day", the rest being workdays or family days - so to lose so many to the wind and rain - plus one immensley cold day has been most frustrating!
The Summit
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
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Helwith Bridge |
Long Lane (looking back to Helwith Bridge) |
This walk started from the rough-surfaced car park at Helwith Bridge. It's 08:25hrs and Pen-y-Ghent is the target. Long Lane leads from Helwith Bridge to the foot of Pen-y-Ghent. Two things are true about Long Lane ......
Long Lane
I agonised long into Friday night about a trip to the Lakes. I got up at 5am in case I could make my mind up about such a trip. No joy; reservations included the long drive, prospect of long treks through deep snow and a forecast which included clouding over and snow showers late in the day. So after breakfast and a dog walk under a starry sky, I decided that this would be an ideal way to look at the wintry scenes, closer to home.
Class 66 Diesel Locomotives
A pair of Class 66's head north without freight. You might notice an access road on the far side of the railway line - they are building a siding to allow stone from the local quarries to return to the rails.
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Quarries |
Pendle Hill |
The early sun lights up the active industrial sites of Moughton and the distinctive outline of Pendle Hill is recognisable to the south-east. I was on Moughton on the last dry Saturday (albeit very cold) and PH, yesterday.
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Long |
Lane |
Long Lane is a byway open to all traffic, so you can drive up here if you want. On one gate there is a sign saying "No Dogs" - the landowner has decreed that no dogs are allowed on the land "this does not apply to public footpaths" and it is to protect "moorland birds". Hmmm, some toff, inheriter of land and wealth from centuries ago is trying to ensure that there are enough grouse to shoot come August 12th. No further comment, y'lord.
The Nose
The ascent up the nose is quite steep and a scramble up at the top. Here we meet others on the more popular (shorter) route from Horton. At least, I thought to myself, there will be no giddy "Three Peakers" at this time of year...
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Walking Poles
Here we go, a squad of Three Peakers appears. Polish nationals have assembled from varoius parts of the UK to do the Three Peaks. Friendly bunch, they asked me the way to the "next one" and I pointed at "Number 2" over there and told them which way to head from the summit. No wonder we have busy Mountain Resuce teams! I'm trying to imagine their last leg after Number 3, in the dark on icy paths.
The Wall
Pen-y-Ghent Summit 2,277ft asl
Ingleborough (Number 3)
Descent Route
To Horton
Snowy Pen-y-Ghent
Horton-in-Ribblesdale Railway Station
The plan had been to sit on one of the benches and eat my sandwich in this wonderful, sunlit "Victorian" railway setting. However the huge amounts of grit on the platform made it unwise to have Molly led down in front of me, so we went in the rather dull and lifeless waiting room instead. No trains came by and nothing happened. Next Saturday (23rd) , The Flying Scotsman, no less, was due up through this station. But it is not fit and will be replaced by alternative locomotive(s).
We took the "Ribble Way" back to Helwith Bridge.
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Helwith Bridge Inn
If you never go in a pub or similar, you will never know what they are like. Forget review sites, take a look for yourself. We went in this dog-friendly pub with its real fire and friendly welcome. We'll be back, I only had a cup of tea and a chat, but it was enough to relax and prepare me for the journey home. This field is for camping and they have a small bunk-barn (!) - check their website for further details.
Walkers: Molly and Me.
Time taken: 4hr 30mins over a distance of about 9 miles.
Route: Helwith Bridge, Long Lane, Pen-y-Ghent via the "Nose", Summit, descent route to Horton, the station, RIbble Way back to Helwith Bridge.
Weather and conditions: Cool, no wind to speak of and brightening up around midday. I got home for 2pm and snow followed at about 3:30pm.
Refreshment Review: Try The Helwith Bridge - it's easy to start and finish walks from this point.
Steam Train Info - No guarantees can be offered about actual running or being on time, but the linked information is given in good faith and provided by a very reliable source.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2016 ©
Take me back to the start ....