Not done much the last couple of weeks, other than a couple of early morning runs, part clothes free.
Earlier in the month, fitted in several outings. First was a 60 mile cycle tour, which I broke in Barbondale for a 1.5 hour walk up one of the remoter hills. I put my bike behind a wall and took off up the steep slope, stashing my gear a little way up in an obvious spot. Getting to the top of this first steep section proved trickier than expected as thick bracken in places with nettly areas in between. However, once carefuuly negotiated I got onto the moorland proper and headed up towards a ridge that leads north to Crag Hill, overlooking Dent. As I appoached the ridge I saw one person heading south. Once on the ridge I followed it through some pet haggs to Crag Hill, taking a paddle across a shallow tarn just before the top. I returned fairly directly before continuing my ride, broken only for a quick dip in a delighful pool under a waterfall on the way northwest out of Dent.
The second was a regular spot just to the west, Middleton Fell. From my parking spot next to an old (disused) railway bridge, there is an initial walk through several sheep pastures on the northern flanks of the fell. I set off with small rucksack along this level section until it comes out near a quiet road. At this point I put shorts and head up the fell, taking them off once over the first ridge. I carried on up the steepl slope coming out just east of a trig point, looking out for fellow walkers most likely to be encontered around there.
From there I pick my route over grass, heather and mire, sometimes taking a section of a path/farmer's track as the land undulates gently upwards. For the last major section over Noughtberry Moor to Calf Top, I stashed my sack after a snack lunch and continue with just a light wrap on my arm to be deployed if I meet anyone, always a possibility near the top. I saw a couple at the top from a distance so, rather then cover up, I skirted the top and head north down a ridge. Towards the bottom of the ridge I dropped off to the east, picked up a stream which I mostly followed up hill, close to where I stashed my bag. I noticed a couple walking down on the other side of the stream from a distance but then stayed out of their view.
After finding my bag and another snack, I headed back down, roughly retracing my steps to the car, and not needing to cover up until I got there.
My third walk, about two weeks ago, was in the limestone country around Lawkland, east of Ingleton. After visiting a garage looking for a new car, I dropped in at this spot where I have visited a couple of times before. The first section is a narrow path/bridleway between stone walls past a couple of old stone houses and farms, which I walked in shorts. Further on, I slipped on my wrap which I kept on until the path left the bridleway, and heads up the long valley.
After a further half mile or so, I found a spot to stash my bag and continued from there just carrying a small pak towel as a cover up. The path is a 'lonning' or field lane, grassy, between two drystone walls with good views. Eventually it turns up the fell, at which point it is crossed by a small stream. As it was a warm day, I had a good splash in this to cool down and clean off any sweat. From there I broke into a gentle run, continuing even as the slope got steeper for the final section onto the limstone plateau.
The top is a fairly level plateau with large areas of limestone pavement. I put my towel under a rock and enjoyed walking around in the pavement, light of foot as I don't wear shoes. After about half an hour exploring the pavement with all its clints (blocks of limestone), grikes ( deep clefts between) and plants groing in them, I picked up my towel and head down, walking because in the sunlight it was just too beautiful to leave quickly.
I hadn't gone far before I saw a couple, fell runners, heading up towards me, so I wrapped the towel round me and then exchanged greetings as they ran past me. A little further on I had to put the wrap on again as a third runner appeared and went past. I kept the wrap on a little longer in case the whole local running club was on its way (!) but removed it when clear there were no more.
I had another splash in the stream, then ran back to pick up my bag, putting my shorts back on before I got near the houses.
Since then it has been mostly wet and the weather is beginning to cool off, so the opportunities will get fewer.
