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!

Autumn and I decided to go to Ingleton Falls. The offical website for the falls is: http://www.ingletonwaterfallswalk.co.uk. The hike is 4.5 miles long on a well marked path with steps in place at the steep parts. It is a nice hike if you want a easy hike through a series of waterfalls and an old oak forest. There are two stops along the way that offer light refreshments during your walk for those who would like to sit out along the hillside and enjoy the day. There is ample parking at the enterance to the park. As of 2007 prices are £4 for adults to hike on the trail and park your car. I have added three photos of our walk.

Facts: Start/Finish: Ingleton, Distance: 4.5 miles circular route, Furthur info: http://www.ingletonwaterfallswalk.co.uk.

After two months I was able to complete the three peaks of Pendle (Pendle Hill, Boulsworth Hill and Weets Hill). Today was good weather for an ascent up Pendle Hill. Pendle Hill is the largest hill of the three standing at 557m above sea level. You can hike up Pendle on a 5.3 mile circular route on the pendle way trail (follow signs of the witch). There is a parking lot in Barley Green (SD823416), which can get full on the weekends so be prepared to come early.  Below are some photos of the hike.

Facts: OL Explorer Map 21, Start/finish: Barley Green (SD823416), Distance: 5.3 miles on the Pendle Way Circular route, Destination: Pendle Hill (SD804415)