UK Mountains Expedition Report

The morning started very wet, we donned waterproofs and headed for Malham Cove. It stood there in all its splendour awaiting conquering. Without pausing to admire it, we began the long steep climb, made easier by steps cut into the side. Once on the top we crossed the limestone pavement and headed up towards Malham Tarn. The tarn itself is a large lake surrounded by a nature reserve with the house being the centre of activity.

Our next port of call was the Tennant Gill farm which was approached along a road (my poor feet). The way goes around the farm and climbs Fountains Fell which was covered in mist for most of the climb. On the top, we saw the two stone men which had now become four. Pausing for only a minute or so, we headed off this wilderness and descended quickly to the valley where we halted for lunch.

During lunch, Steve announced that he would not be accompanying us on the ascent of Pen-y-Ghent because of tired feet and legs and so, without argument, Tracy and I left him and headed down the road to find the point where the Pennine Way set off across the fields.

After walking about half a mile we were convinced we had missed it and so (mistakenly) cut across the field and aimed for a wall where we had seen some people walking. This short walk must rate as one of the worst so far, almost the entire field was a bog, we both fell down grooves which were disguised by heather and I fell into a bog!

We made it though and the climb to the summit was hard but over quickly and we sat on the opposite side of the wall for a cup of tea and a rest.

The descent to Horton was a tiring one, pausing half way down to remove my waterproofs I discovered that part of my watch was missing and also the face was covered with water droplets which made it impossible to read. We persevered and about half a mile from Horton, who should appear, but good old Daddy! Digression: We were supposed to meet at Stainforth YHA this morning but we were at Malham, a slight mix up.

He told is they had met Steve on his way to Stainforth and were informed of our position. Fortunately they gave us a lift from Horton to Stainforth (not cheating as it is off-route) and we arranged to meet the next day.

The Youth Hostel was a very large house with a pleasant warden. The normal routine followed of wash, bed and meal, then we went to the pub where we were met by about six Yorkshire girls who had heard all our jokes.

Towards the end of the evening a drunken fellow staggered over to us and tried to tell some funny stories which didn't turn out too well. His face was amazing though. The trip back to the Hostel was very pleasant.

The morning before leaving the hostel was very lazy due to the fact that we would be chauffered to Horton. Ten o'clock came and we were relaxing and sunbathing on the front door until the warden came and told us the grounds would be closed and that we should sit outside, so, moving very slowly, we made our way outside.

At about 10:30, Daddy arrived and we tried in vain to fit the three of us, plus rucksacks into the car (cars were a lot smaller in those days!) - we eventually decided to take the rucsacks first while we three lads sat in the roadside to wait. Boredom soon overcame us and we started walking towards Horton but only made Stainforth village (200 yards) before the car returned to pick us up. On arrival at Horton we messed about with photographs, food and money. We set off just after eleven and headed up the hill. After half a mile or so, a shout halted progress. Daddy came racing up, towels in hand. I was supposed to have taken them because I had left mine at Malham. Thanking him, I packed them away and we watched him run back down. We continued along the track up the hill on a grass track to the Old Ing farm. The walk dragged on but the approach to Jackdaw Holes tended to subdue the tiring drag.

Dry Laithe Cave was quite nice according to Tracy. We proceeded along a nice track until we arrived at Ling Gill bridge and rested along with about 30 kids all from Skinners School in Tunbridge Wells - Tracys Home town.

After a rest we climbed Cam End at high speed and then slowed down to go up Dodd Fell. The wind was annoying to say the least and half way along Carn High Road we gave up for lunch, sheltering behind a wall. After lunch we set off and on crossing the hundred mile mark, Steve screamed at the top of his voice, what for, I don't know. With 170 miles to go, it hardly justifies as a scream of delight. Later I was informed it was a scream of pain because it is so far to go. Help!

Six miles of walking on the side of Dodd Fell bought us to Gayle, a very nice place. Hawes is a further mile distant and this was covered quite quickly. We decided to find the Post Office to get some money, cards and stamps, then a slow stroll up to the Youth Hostel finished our days hike. On arrival, Slaggy, Mucky, Bionic Woman and Tracy II were waiting (I think) to greet us.

The warden was a bit of a rotter and another night of fun would not be had, we thought. We both lay down for about half an hour, my feet being very sore. After a wash and making our beds, we went down to the chippy for dinner, being very lazy people.

Most of my night was spent sitting in the common room writing post cards, diary and doing the Melody Maker crossword. Tracy and Steve were commuting between the hostel and telephone for a lot of the evening. Later on, Steve, amused us with a box of matches. One lad allowed his shirt to be set alight. Unfortunately it didn't burn too well.

Bedtime came and Steve being in a silly mood opened the wardens door and came face to face with the warden himself. All he could do was say 'ah'. The warden told him to watch where he was going and Steves feeble excuse was that he thought it was the way out - in large letters it said 'Warden Only'.

We had a silly session with Steve doing press-ups until the warden told us to go to bed. In bed we told funny stories until the warden came and told us to turn out the lights. Ignoring him, we waited for him to return and do it himself: he did!

After breakfast we all said our sad farewells to Slaggy, Mucky and Bionic Woman, and an overjoyed farewell to Tracy II. They had decided to abandon the walk, partly due to fatigue, partly due to the poor planning and partly due to the fact that they had missed out several sections already.

We set off about 9:30 and made our way, with me limping, through the village to resume the Pennine Way. Walking with Kenny Everett until we arrived at the Green Dragon Inn which is the entrance to Hardrow Force. For our inconvenience in that we had to walk through the pub we were charged five pence. (it is £4 now!) The waterfall itself was rather weak and depressing, but we braved a walk behind it and then back to the Inn. Without pausing for a drink, we set off on our trek.

Bluebell Hill and an extremely long hard and painful (for me at least) climb to the summit of Great Shunner Fell was made even harder by the wind which blew and blew all the time. On the summit, Steve, UJ Kid and Kenny arrived about ten minutes ahead of Tracy and I due to her kind heartedness displayed by keeping me company on my long slow limp upwards while those pigs raced on ahead.

The summit was terrible, even sheltering behind a cairn the dust was blowing into our eyes and we were glad to be off there.

The descent was as long as the climb and the very gradual approach of Thwaite made it drag even longer. On the way down Steve decided, not to my total disapproval, that he and I would go along the road, being slightly shorter, due to my painful condition. Our route missed Thwaite but noting a sign, remarkably like a pub sign, we decided to investigate. Steve actually ran down while I limped behind. It was in fact, for a cafe but we didn't mind. We rested there for about an hour whereupon I announced we would continue the Pennine Way (obsessed with it, that's what I am)

We set off and climbed the very steep hill and followed it round staying at the same height for most of the way. Unfortundately I came to regret my decision to continue because we walked over loose rocks for most of the distance which pains me most.

We came upon Keld suddenly and saw the Youth Hostel on the hillside not too far distant. We made it just at opening time and Tracy raced in and once again, amazed us all by getting booked in. Very lucky girl.

Steve and I fell asleep for an hour and then committed the usual acts which I won't repeat again. Afterwards, Tracy and I went to the phone to try and get her booked in for the following night. Shortly we were joined by Steve who tried again in vain to contact his girlfriend Madelaine (he's very tired of her being out).

For the remainder of the evening, we sat in the common room chatting until bedtime.

The morning saw my much aching feet about to set off on a 12 mile hike to Bowes. In the boot room, people were donning waterproofs due to the rain, then removing them again because the rain stopped.

Steve, Tracy and I donned ours and set off down the hill towards the start of our days 'official' hike. Four miles of rain, moor and hard slog saw us arriving, drenched outside the Tan Hill pub.

We sat in the pub for two and half hours eating, drinking and generally making merry before setting off on another boring slog across Sleightholme Moor. The village of Sleightholme itself came into sight and without pausing for breath we raced through.

We then got a little lost but managed to find our way eventually to Bowes. Here we left Tracy with the lads we had seen at previous hostels as she was going to Barnards Castle. We found the B&B we were staying in without too much difficulty. Very nice place.

Steve and I actually had a bath (separately). The evening meal was quite nice. Afterwards I asked if we could have the record player on, the lady said we could but forgot to tell us there was no stylus so we ended up in the pub playing pool for the rest of the evening.

We had arranged to meet Tracy at Bowes at ten thirty, but at about half past nine I decided to see if she was there. I looked down the road to our appointed meeting place but couldn't see her. Suddenly she appeared outside a telephone box about 20 yards from where I was standing - A second Dr Who? We both then went back into the house and she waited while Steve and I got ourselves ready.

We set off about ten o'clock and followed the long road up Tute hill past the Air Ministry property which was indeed an eyesore. We hurried past, pausing only to don waterproofs due to the rain which had begun.

The walk to Levy pool and the subsequent moor was boring and wet and we were glad when Goldborough came into view, at least we knew we were going somewhere. The walk down to the road and through the farm provided no real difficulties except we went to the wrong farm originally. After the farm we made our way round to the bridge the long way.

From the bridge, we crossed the half way point without too much enthusiasm because the moors were all soaked due to the rain which was by now, coming down in buckets. Equally bad was Mickleton Moor and we were glad when Beck Head barn and How farm were passed.

The crossing of Grassholme bridge and walk to Middleton were very boring and done with the greatest of effort - by now mist was covering even the low hills. Being in need of refreshment we saw a caravan park and headed on, only to be met by a girl with as much sense as an untrained monkey. We abandoned this and headed for the town centre.

We just about made the pub before closing time but wished we hadn't. The beer was terrible! Fleeing the place we went to a stores who informed us we were mad to walk in such weather. Agreeing, we bought our supplies and left.

The walk along the Tees was very nice. Low Force and High Force increased our enjoyment, although the last three miles after the quarry went very slowly and was extremely tedious. The final climb to the Youth Hostel was soon over and we signed in. A very pleasant Warden - the best so far.

Our evening was spent trying to find room for waterproofs; the drying room was full. Bed, wash, dinner and the remainder of the evening was spent in the common room.

We all felt pretty rough this morning. Steve and I had a bowl of cereals each. Steves was Puffa Puffa - very fitting!

Afterwards, we set off on a dull day towards the bridge where we would rejoin the walk. We followed the river along which was quite easy walking except for a few places where we had to pick our way through the rocks which covered the track.

We stopped at Cauldron Snout for a while to admire it, but the spray from the fall started to wet us so we proceeded on up to the road. From the road we had a long muddy walk before we rejoined the river again. The river had no bridge and so we had to get across as best we could. Only Tracy managed to get her feet wet.

After this, the short walk up to High Cup Nick was accomplished very quickly and was here we stopped for lunch. Unfortunately it was very cold and so, as soon as we had eaten our sandwiches, we pressed on.

We walked around the side and headed for the road where Steve and I played at being Garelli motorbikes along the road. On the final half mile walk into Dufton, Steve broke into a gallop due to the fact that the pub closed in ten minutes. We made it and sat outside on the Green, drinking a well earned pint.

Afterwards we played cricket with the local kids and after a well fought match, we had to concede victory. Soon after, the hostel opened and we all piled in.

The usual sins were committed and then we went to the pub where the rest of the night was spent being silly and experimenting with various drinks.