Multi day Trip to Yorkshire Dales. 11-12/05/22

Attendees: K Maguire, P Bridges, R Steele, G Jay, D Martin, D Peters, P Cotterill, M Sadler, A Dulson (9)

Day 1..... After travelling to and arriving at Dent Station in showery conditions, we started the steep decent along a lane to Lea Yeat hamlet. We walked about another 2 miles along the lane whilst the showers became more persistent but not enough to cause too much concern.Some climbing then to Bridge End whilst admiring views of Arten Gill and Dent Head Viaducts. We walked through Dent Head farm, hiding from the vicious goose the farmer warned us about. We then started climbing in earnest up to Blea Moor Tunnel, again, getting occasionally wet.

The rain became more persistent and the dround got wetter and boggier meaning no one ended the walk with dry feet. At times, the path was like a running brook! Descending to Ribblehead, we managed to dry off a bit, but upon reaching the famous viaduct, the heavens opened and so we walked into the pub soaking wet. 6.5 miles and 1100ft of climbing.

Day 2 Rather than going straight up and down Pent y Ghent from Horton, a 9 mile route was planned following the river Southwards. We left this at Helwith Bridge and then started the ascent via tracks to the base of the mountain. The group became spread out but due to the really, cold windy conditions, it wasn't practice to stop and regroup. So after a somewhat hard final 500ft of climbing, we all got together at the summit for food and photos. Great views were had as it was clear conditions. The decent to Horton was done pretty well without any thing out of the ordinary happening apart from some of the group getting stuck behind a flock of sheep using the same track. The walk was finished in good time for some refreshments before getting the 1620 train back to home via Leeds.

A very enjoyable couple of days with 2 arduous walks completed.

Karl Maguire