A two day Exmoor adventure.

Day One

Ali kindly drove me to Porlock Weir on the Devon coast so I could start my two day walk at the sea.

Obviously I started with a dip, although next time i need to choose a sandy beech as getting in over the big stones wasn't easy.

From there it was straight up through the woods but it was a lovely day and I was smiling.

However it was warm, so I soon changed into shorts.

As always I was trying to improve my navigation and this Reservoir up on the moors was my first spot to aim for.

I had been hoping for a dip, it was surroubded by open access land, but it wasnt too be as it was well fenced in.

Onwards and across the moors, I made the decision to cut the route slightly shorter as I was making slow progress. This way I could camp a bit further along the route as well.

My feet were beginning to hurt and i was worried i might be getting a blister on ny heels, as I don't tend to suffer from them i hadn't brought any tape, but will add this to my pack next time.

I found a spot on the moors to set up my tent and was soon curled up in my sleeping bag nice and cosy.

15.4 miles hiked

Day 2

I was on my way not long after 7am and headed to Tarr Steps. On my way here I realised I'd lost the clip I use to attach my map to my rucksack, fortunately i was able to borrow another clip and some string to sort a new one. It makes it much easier when using poles.

Tarr Steps were lovely, glad I was there early so had them to myself.

Heading back onto the moors I saw some Exmoor Ponies, it was impressive how easily they moved through the bracken.

Up on the moors and it actually started raining, so waterproof was on for a while. another good spot to work on navigation. Then it was down into Dulverton where i had some lunch. Leaving here my feet were really hurting and my legs not much better so I wasn't moving super fast.

But when I saw Wimbleball Lake I knew that I was on the final stretch. With fishermen and sailing boats on the water I wasn't sure I'd managed a dip.

But i found a quiet spot and snuck in, felt much better when i got out and for a while even my feet stopped hurting.

I had one last stop at the top of the last hill before descending to my friend Leila's where we have been spending g the week in our van.

Ali and Chip came to meet me on the last bit which was lovely.

Have to say I was happy to see the van.

17.4 miles covered

Overall it was a great adventure, but has left me very sore and tired. Ive definitely learnt that less mileage is better, especially if I want to spend time practicing navigation. Also although my boots felt super comfy everytime I put them on, I should probably have spent a bit more time in them before covering 33miles, being barefoot boots there is less cushioning than my other hiking boots.

Now where shall I plan my next adventure?

Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Settle - 2 day adventure

Day 1

I travelled by train go Horton-in-Ribblesdale, it was a nice easy journey I just had to change at Sheffield and Leeds. I arrived at 235pm and had a plan to do about 10miles before camping.

I could see my first peak of the day, Pen-y-ghent as I left the station. It soon got steep climbing up, I even pit my poles away for a bit so I could use my hands to climb! 

Amazingly I got to sit and eat my sandwich at the top with noone else there, as I went to leave a group arrived though.

These were the last people I saw for the day. As I walked along to Plover Hill I could see over to where I was planning on heading. The weather was lovely although there was a biting wind high up.

I even tried to identify some plants!

I dropped down and crossed  river, where I was hoping to fill up with water. But it was completely dry, I was glad I had carried 3litres with me! 

I continued with lots of off path navigation, I was happy to find this trig point as I'd done some pacing to measure the distance.

On my way to where I was thinking of camping I found some flowing water, it was a little brown but I had my filter bottle with me to filter out any nasties.

Had to think a lot navigating the final stretch to Fountains Tarn as visibility had gone down to about 10m. In fact I nearly missed the tarn!

Then tent up before eating and then bed.

19.1km 1120m ascent

Day 2

I briefly woke up for sunrise but didn't actually get up till 630am and was on my way for 730am. It was lovely and clear again which helped with navigation.

I decided not to follow the wall, I rely on them too mych for my navigation but that meant that it was hard going.

But I found the first trig point i was heading too!

Descending to a road I was followed by some sheep and lambs, I couldn't help thinking how Cybi would have reacted to that.

After some footpath walking, it was more off path stuff to a trig point, I had to be careful with my navigation to avoid some crags.

I had views of Settle, where I was heading from this spot.

I was please with my navigation back down as I made my way perfectly between crags.

Dropping into Settle I enjoyed the flowerpot men as i walked to the station.

14.9km 378m ascent 

Reflections

Bring gaiters

Make sure don't drop map

If you have a nav plan, don't just follow what looks like a path

Need to rely less on walls for navigation - next walk do some practice with a 1:50000 map