~Pendle Hill~
01 01 11
& A Happy New Year!!
The Trig
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Brierfield Railway Station
I must be mad. What on Earth am I doing? It's early on New Year's Day, it's damp and gloomy and I'm heading for Barley. This took me by surpirse, a train on New Year's Day entering Brierfield Railway Station from the west (left).
Pendle Hill
Well, it's only half in cloud, pity it's the top half. Anyone with any sense would give this a miss.
The Start of The Ascent
A muddy mess. When I arrived at the road side, mine was the only car. By the time I'd put my boots on, two other cars had arrived. Was I being followed? I set off at quite a pace to stay ahead of the others.
Looking Back
From the half-way point, I cast a glance down to see if the other walkers were making progress. Eeeek, time to move on.
The Stile
Sad reminders of the recent cold spell when all around this place was covered in snow. It's cold and drizzly and there's no time to hang around.
The Top
Out of sight, just to the right, is evidence of "ashes scattering". I have no objection to the remains of the dear departed being brought to these high places - done the same myself. But can we please observe an exclusion zone around the summit itself? Maybe at least 50ft away from every fellwalkers objective - the summit trig or cairn. And whilst we're at it, this is no monument to John Peel, so walker, clean up after yourself.
Here He Comes
I wandered off into the gloom and escaped from the men in white coats, this time. I looped round and descended by the same route.
Black Moss Reservoirs
This view of the reservoirs was not possible on the way up due to the level of the cloud.
Walkers: Just Me
Time taken: 1hr and 2 minutes over about 2.5 miles.
Route: Shortest route from the road, up the steps and back down the steps.
Weather and conditions: Cloudy and damp.
Greetings Count: Those strange characters following me were lost in the murk and not greeted. I passed two couples on my descent and wished them a Happy New Year.
2010 - Review
29 Pendle Ascents
112 Different "Wainwright" Lakeland Felltops + 11 repeats, so 123 summit visits.
8 other summits: Ingleborough, Pen-Y-Ghent, Buckden Pike, Moel Siabod, Orrest Head, Gummers How, Arnside Knott & Win Hill
Total of 160 felltops and an approximate mileage on these walks of 693.
2010 Walk of the Year: St.Sunday Crag, Fairfield and Helvellyn on 22nd May
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2011 ©
I had to re-send this page to the server and seem to have lost four very kind messages - here they are:
From Jill Rowland:
That's the way to start off 2011! Still more snow in my garden than on Pendle ,,, how can that be! Happy New Year Richard. Jill
From Bob:
Nice way to blow the cobwebs off Richard. Ascent number one of many for 2011 I guess. Glad the men in white coats didn't catch you. Well done for escaping.
We ascended by the big end on Thursday. You must give it a go.
Cheers, bob.
From "John Mellor" aka PB
The coldest temperatures in East Ham are in the fridge! I agree about your 'ashes' sentiments - Great Gable's summit environment has apparently been changed beyond belief as a result of a ready supply of potash! How many Penle summit ascents this year? Have a brilliant 2011!
From Sherran
You're lucky those men in white coats didn't carry you off for going up there on such a horrible day LOL Well done for making the effort. Happy New Year.Take me back to the start ....