PEAT MOOR HILL from LANGTHWAITE

 


Summary

Date - 10th January 2009 Distance - 6 miles
Map - OL30
Start point - Car park, Langthwaite (NZ 005 024)

 

Summits Achieved

Name Height (ft) Height (m) Grid Ref
Peat Moor Hill 1713 522 NZ 0176 0495

 

The Walk

The depths of winter, and a long drive faced us to the start in Langthwaite, so a very early start was necessary on what was to be a dry day but with a bitterly cold wind.

From Ingleton we followed the so so familiar road to Hawes, via Ribblehead.

"Brr", said Allen as we passed here. "It's -5 degrees."

"Still we are a hardy group, and despite the cold it is good to be walking, and with Uncle Bob for company". replied Grizzly.

As we approached Hawes, dawn was just breaking over Wensleydale. "Just look at that sky", called out Little Eric. "Please take a picture if you can Dad?"

Onwards then through the dale to Leyburn, where Dad turned to head north over the firing ranges to Reeth.

Here the sun was just rising. "It will make a terrific shot for the story", called out Tetley.

Then from Reeth we continued north to finally reach our start point, the car park in Langthwaite.

Tetley called out, "hi Uncle Bob, good to see you. We are looking forward to another enjoyable walk with you."

"Thanks lads. Good to see you too."

Once Uncle Bob and Dad were ready we snuggled down as deeply as possible in the rucksack.

"Look" pointed Little Eric. "That cockerel is strutting his stuff!"

Striding out we walked through the pretty hamlet of Langthwaite. Beyond the narrow road then climbed very steeply towards the scattered settlement of Booze.

Uncle Bob called out, "just stand there Gerry, while I take your picture. It is a measure of how cold it was today that Dad actually has his gloves on!

As we continued to gain height, Allen pointed, "that's Arkle Town. We walked through it when we climbed Calver Hill, last August. On the left is the old burial ground, through which the footpath runs."

After a further 10 minutes we reached the scattered hamlet of Booze.

Uncle Bob told us, "due to its steepness this road has a propensity to get icy and I heard that the Royal Mail had stopped delivering to Booze."

It was therefore with some surprise that we saw the postman driving up!

Uncle Bob said, "I thought you had stopped coming up here due to the ice."

He looked somewhat bemused, saying, "it had been a bit tricky earlier in the week."

"I think that dog wants his breakfast", laughed Grizzly.

Shaun now advised, "we go through that gate."

This led by a wall for a while then out onto open fell passing the forlorn and derelict Sleigill House. Grizzly told us, "in the 19th century is was used as accommodation for lead miners."

Onwards we came beside Slei Gill and headed on up the ravine the path hemmed in by the gill and rising ground on the left. Those little falls will make a nice picture", commented Allen.

Here we were now approaching the head of the gill and at the top are the remains of disused and forgotten lead mine workings. Grizzly said, "from the research I have done, that ruined building is the remains of a wheel house that supported a water wheel to provide power."

Shaun looking up from the map said, "now we have to bear left and follow Slack Wife Gill."

This took us past a shooting hut and soon reached a track used by grouse shooting parties. "This is Moredale Road", said Shaun."We should head just a few degrees west of due north, to get to the summit. About 200 feet of climb to go"

The ascent was gentle, but nevertheless it was quite a trudge over the rough moor. "How many times have we done this in our exploration of Yorkshire", laughed Dad.

"I've lost count" replied Uncle Bob.

Suddenly Tetley called out, "there's the trig point"

Little Eric echoed all our thoughts and what is plain to see from the picture. "It is certainly a very lonely place. I guess we are unlikely to come here again."

It was bitterly cold up here in the biting wind. Nevertheless Uncle Bob said, "time for lunch, we need some sustenance for the return walk."

"Oh yes", cheered Allen, "I'm hungry.

"Me too", agreed Shaun, "I'm ready for a warming mug of tea."

We did not linger too long and before setting of we huddled by the trig point for our obligatory summit picture.

Dad was finally very glad to get his gloves back on as he was losing the feeling in his fingers. We were happy to snuggle down again in the rucksack.

"We head due west", instructed Shaun.

The descent took us over more trackless moor, to come in sight of the road and path near Dry Gill Edge. Here we turned south. Dad and Uncle Bob opted to stay above the paths and pick their way along under the crags.

Reaching a junction of two paths Shaun said, "we just continue generally south and eventually it will bring us back to Booze."

All that then remained was to return along the road descending to Langthwaite.

"That was a grand day out", said Tetley, "and more interesting than I expected."

"A good time of year to do this too", mused Grizzly. "I suspect the moor would be rather boggy in the warmer weather."

Uncle Bob said, "yes Tetley, it has been a cracking day. Then he went on, "I have a family party so I will have to head straight off and sadly I cannot come to the tearoom with you Gerry."

"It's not going to deter you", said Allen to Dad.

"No lad, I'm heading for Ivy Cottage in Reeth."

Here he had delicious carrot and leek soup-thick and full of vegetables. Then chocolate cake and tea. Well he did deserve it having taken us out on such a cold day.

We had more sandwiches and a hot drink sitting in the warmth of the car.

Dad duly refreshed he then drove us home arriving about 16:45.

Not as cold on the journey back, but at Ribblehead it was still only just 1 degree. Mind you, the cold weather is to be preferred to the lashing wind and rain on the following day-Sunday.

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