~Pendle Hill~
14th November 2010
It's been a month and two days since my last ascent of Pendle Hill and the inspiration for this one came from an unlikely source. It's not a pretty sky, but it was a decent bit of exercise that I wanted, more than anything else.
Gloomy Skies
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Roadside Parking
I cannot remember the last time I climbed Pendle Hill on a Sunday afternoon. It's a popular time for walkers and I'm not expecting peace and quiet on the slopes and summit. This morning I found a message from "Bob" at the foot of my report from yesterday (13th) and he said he was heading for Pendle today. As I sat down at 1pm to watch the F1 procession, I found myself nodding off and decided that a PH ascent would be a better way to spend an hour or two.
A Little Sunshine
This was the first and last time I saw the sun. I would have walked from Barley, but left my boots at the door at home, so I settled for the shorter ascent from the roadside - there are no boggy bits on this route.
Busy Steps
I saw all these folk and decided to go up the gentler slope on the left.
Boulder Field
In front of Pendle Hill, close to the left-hand ascent route is this boulder field, made from the fractured crag on the slope up to my right, I think a few more rocks were added after last winter's heavy frosts.
Dean Clough (near) and Parsonage Reservoirs, nr Blackburn
Pendle Summit
I had to wait my turn for this photo, but no "Summit Hoggers" today. I was beginning to walk away from the top when a walker said "Hello Richard". It was "Bob" who recognised me, he and Glenis had taken a long walk from Barley around the Black Moss Reservoirs and reached the top at about the same time as me.
Bob & Glenis
Bob found my website after seeing the link on the Loweswatercam website. He is a Blackburn Rovers fan which could have made things uneasy, but despite my aversion to that lot down the road, I realise that all football fans are kindred spirits and divisions can be set aside at times like this.
Sunshine on Gisburn?
A little further north-east, a hole in the sky is letting in a little sunshine to Gisburn and surrounding villages.
Walkers: Just Me
Time taken: 1hr and 2 minutes over 2.5 miles.
Route: Roadside up the left, across the top and down the steps.
Weather and conditions: Cool and overcast
Greetings Count: I must have passed at least 40 other walkers, good to see all these folk taking advantage of this wonderful local landmark.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2010 ©
Take me back to the start ....