Evan: Life in the Outdoors

Standing at 694m Penyghent is the third highest peak in the Yorkshire dales. You get some spectacular views of Penygent as you approach the mountain.

Getting to Horton in Ribblesdale wasn’t without its detours. There is poor markings of a detour near Settle because of bridge works so we missed the detour sign and had to backtrack a few miles, but we made it.

From Horton in Ribblesdale we started walking toward Brakenbottom which starts with a gentle climb up. The day had started a bit overcast but as we reached Brackenbottom the clouds dispersed and the sun came out to give us a great view of the southern profile Penyghent. It almost seems like you are going to just skirt around the mountain, but when you join up the the Pennine Way there is a distinct path and easy fun scramble up the mountain.

We ate out lunch in one of the wind shelters on top enjoying the views. After lunch we headed back towards Horton in Ribblesdale via the Pennine Way. Along the way we took a slight detour (about 400m) to Hull Pot which is signed toward Foxup. Hull Pot is the largest natural hole in Britain. And I’m sorry to say that my photos do not do this justice.

After our detour we finished the hike in good time, about 3.5 hours. We decided to stop in at the famous Penyghent Cafe for some hot chocolate after our hike.

Facts: Start/Finish: Horton in Ribblesdale (SD809725), Maps: OL2, Parking: Yorkshire Dales National car park (£2.00 for 2 hours or £3.20 for 2+ hours), Distance 6.1 miles.

It was a good sunny day today so Autumn and I decided to hike in Malhamdale. There are various circular routes available in the area to enjoy. Visit www.malhamdale.com for some .pdf’s to download of selected walks in Malham. Having never been in the area before we decided to hike "Walk 1". This particular hike takes you to Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar and Malham Cove. Most of this path is well made path some of which is paved with stone slabs. We walked the route backwards to what the guide said. So we headed off toward Janet’s Foss first which is a nice little waterfall. Then is was onto Gordale Scar which has been carved out by glaciers in the last ice age. The hike thus far to Gordale Scar is fairly flat and easy going. At Gordale Scar we double backed and headed off towards Malham Cove, but you have the option of scrambling up the side of the waterfall and following the footpath which eventually leads to Malham Tarn. Unfortunatly we didn’t have the time to hike up that way today though we have put it on our list of things to do! From Gordale to Malham Cove the path is uphill for about 1/2-3/4 of a mile. You will reach Malham Cove from the top and see a spectacualr view over Malhamdale. There are steps on the otherside of the cove to take down to the bottom which heads back into Malham Village.

Facts: OL Explorer Map 2, Start/finish: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority car park in Malham (SD900627), Distance: 4.5 miles on walk 1, Further info: www.malhamdale.com

Few years back a friend and I hiked through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, USA. I’ve never logged that hike anywhere and I figure here is as good as place as any.

We hiked on the Appalachian Trail which bisect the national park running on the border of Tenness and North Carolina. Seventy miles of the 2,158 mile (3,473 kilometer) Appalachian Trail cut through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, entering southward at Fontana Dam and exiting northward near Davenport Gap . The trail remains among the crestline of the Great Smoky Mountains throughout this portion of its length, passing just behind the observation tower at Clingmans Dome, the highest point anywhere along the trail (at 6,625 feet [2,019 meters]). Shelters are placed approximately equidistant of one another, at locations roughly equivalent to one day of backpacking from one shelter to the next. While spending the night there is free, unless determined to be thru-hiking (which the national park determines as anyone starting a minimum of fifty miles [eighty kilometers] and ending at least as far outside of the park) it requires a permit obtainable through the park service to stay in the shelters.

Enjoy the photos!

Crookrise is an interesting bouldering venue located high above Skipton. It is almost a mountain crag rather than bouldering, complete with a 20-30 min. hike up the hill. Many of the landing are treacherous frought with smaller boulders and holes. As big as the venue is there are surprisingly few problems. With this being said there are several good classic climbs as well as the good views you get overlooking craven.

I have included a few photos of the area. Autumn and I didn’t climb on this trip. We were simply checking out the area to see what is available. Watch out for updates and climbing photos as we are planning to go back.

Directions:

From the A56 bypass north of Skipton, take the road signposted to the small village of Embsay. From the Elm Tree Inn, turn left onto Pasture Road and head for Embsay Reservoir. Park in the car park next to the sailing club. Follow the gravel track. Cross the stile on the right and head leftwards following the path up the hillside until is meets a wall. Continue following the wall until you reach the first stile above the Everest Boulder Area.

Resources:

More information and route guides can be found in the book "Yorkshie Gritstone Bouldering" published by RockFax.

Its been awhile since I have last posted. After having several comments of my absence I thought I might update. Autumn and I visted Shipley Glen which is a unique bouldering crag. Here you will find a variety of bouldering for all levels including several good classic problem. It has everything from sit-down starts in caves, to long sloping traverses. Shipley Glen is a popular spot with boulderers and the rock yields a high concentration of problems per foot than anywhere else in Yorkshire. Enjoy the photos!

Directions:

Shipley Glen is a few miles north of Bradford. To reach it head for Baildon, turning off the A6068 towards Baildon Green. From the roundabout in the centre of the Green turn left up ’The Grove’ (sign posted for Shipley Glen). Follow this road for 2km until you reach a T-junction with a pub in front. Turn right and park along the road. The rock are towards the tree-line below.