~Pendle Hill~
6th December 2010
The first time I've climbed Pendle Hill at least once in each of the twelve months in a year! This walk should have been enjoyed yesterday morning, but dangerous road conditions kept me away. Many thanks to the gritting teams who've done a great job around East Lancashire, something appears to have changed since last winter, we've had at least four visits up our avenue in comparison to two through the whole of last winter's cold spell.
Black Moss Reservoirs
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Pendle Hill
Best scene in white! Even the van man brought the right coloured van. What's that cloud doing over there?
The Way In
Icy roadways on the way in to the start of the climb. I carried my crampons with me in case they were needed on the steep bits.
The Stile
Towards the Summit
There was no need for the crampons on this occasion. It became apparent that I was not the first visitor in the snow this time round.
Back to the Stile
The clouds are the first signs of the weather front that is due across the region overnight, not forecast to drop much snow this time.
Pendle Summit
Black Moss Reservoirs
The reservoirs are full and frozen over.
Pendle Sunset
Way out west, in the region of Preston and the Ribble Estuary, there appears to be haze and mist. The roads to Barley are safe to drive on and the drive up to the start point on the way to Downham is also clear.
I wonder if the fact that Andy Ratcliffe is working for the Highways Department is helping with the gritting? I have offered bribes for him to pass to the drivers, but he says it makes no difference - just like FIFA!
Walkers: Just Me
Time taken: 1hr and 9 minutes over 2.5 miles.
Route: Roadside up the steps, across the top and down the track on the left.
Weather and conditions: Sunny and cold.
Greetings Count: One walker and a dog near the summit.
Richard's Refreshment Review: Nothing to report today.
Thanks Visitors! It's Appreciated.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2010 ©
Take me back to the start ....