Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine, July 22, Walk 19
Geocaches - 4
Distance - 11 Miles
Yorkshire 3 Peaks - Whernside
Torrential rain is not what you want to hear lashing against your B&B window, when you know you have a 5 hour walk ahead. The forecast had it going on all day and its rather a nice surprise to find it blown over by the time I have had my breakfast rated on Facebook.
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| People Liked the bean separation. But disliked the raw black pudding. And "toast" |
A short drive from Gigglewick to Horton-in-Ribbesdale, which has everything needed. Paid parking, which can be for the 48hours. A pub.
Country Walking Magazine suggests that Ingleborough is the superstar of the Yorkshire Three peaks. They go as far as to say that if the mountains were Destiny's Child, Ingleborough would be Beyonce.
I'm not so sure - its a long entry walk from Horton - and you do pass some stunning geological features on route but for my money, Pen-y-Ghent is the most handsome.
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| Ingleborough, from the approach |
The walking is (relatively) easy. The gradients are kind, as I walk through the limestone pavement of Sulber and continually climb on well flagged paths, keeping my boots nice and dry. Its only the final approach that can be described as "lung busting".
No hanging around at the top - its exposed, the winds are viscous and the rain starts up. Two summit geocaches have to be shunned - it's simply too dangerous to go looking under rocks on the edge of a mountain.
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| From the top of Ingleborough |
Drop down the southern side of the mountain to Little Ingleborough and work my way to geological items of interest.
Gaping Gill - a 100 metre deep pothole - is not going to show much at ground level. Have a google. Or come back in May, when the potholing club will lower you down on a chair.
A little further on is Trow Gill, which provides a suprise for the unaware. The path winds down through a narrow path between 200ft cliffs. Very reminiscent of Lud's Church in the Peak District, and just as slippy underfoot.
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| Trow Gill, as it opens out |
Easy walking back through limestone pavements to pick up the walk-in route at Sulber. The return to Horton shows what needs to be conquered tomorrow - Pen-Y-Ghent.
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| Tomorrow's Adventure |
5.5 hours and 11 miles after setting off, I am ready for refreshment. Like the announcement of a new pope, I took the smoke rising from the Crown's chimney as a positive sign.
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| The Crown, Horton in Ribblesdale - For Sale Sign had me worried |
All punters were ramblers, so there was a decent buzz of post walk chatter in the main room.
The Black Sheep was pouring rather well.
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| Post Walk Refreshment |
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