Photograph Gallery Stage 45 Hebden Bridge to Diggle
Photograph Gallery Stage 45 Hebden Bridge to Diggle, Friday 8th July 2011
The Story:
This was a great day out walking despite crossing bleak Pennine Moor and suffering terrible horizontal rain and hail storms. It started well with Strolling Steve and I being joined for the walk by Dave and the intrepid Farmer brothers, Chris (CJ) and Tim. Well, not quite at the start as CJ could not park all day in Hebden Bridge so he drove up to Weasel Hill, thankfully taking our backpacks with him, where we met up with him after a steep climb through woodland out of town.
The famous five set off from Weasel Hill to Stoodley Pike, a hill with a huge monument overlooking Calderdale. The walk was a climb, constant but never steep and once there we had made our height for the day, a high moorland walk of fifteen miles lay ahead of us. With the bleak trek beckoning we took a break at the monument, Tim and Dave climbing to the parapet while the rest of us bathed in the views of the valley. Yes, it was dry and with showers predicted we made the most of it. Having enjoyed our time at the monument we strode off to cross the high Pennine moorland. Trudge, trudge, trudge, trudge…. Once clear of Stoodley Pike all we could see was moor north, south, east and west but the lack of diverse views was more than compensated by the conversation which is always an integral part of a great walk. The chat took us over the miles without noticing and soon six were done, all in the dry as we caught sight of our first building for miles. The White House Inn was directly ahead and we called in there for tea. As we did the heavens opened.
There were downpours as we took our tea break in the pub and it was still raining as we set off to continue our Pennine journey. Some were long, some short, but they were all heavy giving us regular dowsings. Back to the conversation thing now, it must have been good with Dave, Tim and Strolling Steve chatting and walking 100 metres ahead of me and CJ. Talk, talk, talk, talk, HALT! Catching sight of the M62 and descending to a road bridge which was not there the lead team had a sudden realisation they were offcourse. On checking the GPS I found we were a mile too far west so I turned back on the path we were on the gain the height lost before tracking east over the moor. No consultation, no democracy was allowed. I went off ahead and forced the boys to follow. I was being practical in getting us back on course and after the mile over the moor we found the Pennine Way and the bridge. We crossed over it, hoards of noisy beasts roaring through below in mass stampede, one huge herd going west, another huge herd going east. The noise was deafening. Once clear of the noise we took a rest before continuing the final stage of the walk to Diggle.
Something happened during the break; we slowed significantly. One reason was the weather as the rain came down heavily with some hail and almost at an horizontal angle from west to east. The other was down to Tims knee which gave up on him. He hobbled on courageously but it was clear he was pained. He made it over Marsden Moor and at a road crossing Steve suggested I give him the poles which I immediately did. With the poles he soldiered over Saddleworth Moor and then down off the Pennine Way into Diggle. During the way it had been suggested he wait by a road so we could return for him but to his credit he made it to end.
What a day, what a walk, what conversation, what drama, and finally what camaraderie. I had it all thanks to the continuing great support I get from friends and new friends I have met on my brilliant 1000 Mile Walk. Sorted.
Strolling Steves Daily Statistics:
Scenery: 7/10 – Mainly high moor country with a beauty of its own.
History: 2/10 – Stoodley Pike and nothing else.
Interest: 2/10 – Only when debating which track to take.
Track: 6/10 – Variable grass and stony.
Comment: A great bunch of guys.
The Photographs:
Rochdale Canal
Looking back from Hebble End to Hebden Bridge
Horsehold Wood near Hebden Bridge
Friends reunited
Approaching Stoodley Pike
The imposing sentinel of Stoodley Pike
The Battle of Stoodley Pike
On the Pennine Way from Stoodley Pike heading south
Having a laugh on Bald Scout Hill
Caterpillar (unknown) which we saw at Warland Reservoir - species query, answers welcome
Rock outcrop on Light Hazzles Edge
Footbridge under strain at Light Hazzles Edge
How lucky were we, the rain came the moment we reached the pub
Soon after White House we were on the wrong track, the Pennine Bridleway rather than the Pennine Way
Bleak moorland but not so bad after all
The entourage follow the Walking Englishman back to the proper track
Why travel abroad? Everything we need is here
Back on track
Crossing the M62 at the designated footbridge
At the trig point on White Hill
Looking down to Castle Shaw from Northern Rotcher
Rock outcrop at Northern Rotcher on the Pennine Way & Oldham Way
High Standedge
Harrop Dale near Diggle
Well done, a deserved pint to celebrate a great walk
Rain can't dampen the spirit of a walk in good company