~Pendle Hill~
24th March 2013
Pendle Summit
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Pendle Scene
After yesterday's experiences, I chose to approach Barley from Barrowford, via Pasture Lane. This road was open and passable throughout and such will be noted for future occasions.
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Barley Car Park |
Pendle over Lower Black Moss Reservoir |
Start time of 08:25hrs from the car park. Two cormorants were seen on the water, first time I've seen these birds for a year or two. It's very windy at lower levels and I'm wondering what it might be like up there!
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Hard Going |
The Lane to Windy Harbour Farm |
Along the lane, the way was completely blocked by snow drifts and I had to hop over the fence (on the left) and walk through a farmer's field.
Looking Back
One house along the lane, next to the fire damaged property (last year) is cut off by these drifts.
Downham Road
This is where cars are usually parked for the shorter ascent route of Pendle Hill. Contrast with a scene from last year...
Up The Steps on Sunday 25th March 2012
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to Pendle House |
Black Moss |
I met two other walkers at the foot of the steps. Andrew and David were heading for the top and I asked if they wouldn't mind if I joined them. It was so bleak up there, that I felt a little more comfortable with some company.
Pendle Steps
The Stile
The Summit Plateau
Extremely windy. If last year it was, say +10 degrees, then today with the wind chill, it could have been around -15 (Lakeland fells at 750m were said to offer a wind-chilled temperature of -22). Character Building! Dignity Threatening!
Andrew & David at The Summit
The other two headed off to Churn Clough and I walked (at a wind-compensating tilt) with my hands holding my hat on, to the top of the track. A group of runners passed me, their faces more pained than usual.
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The Track |
Pendle House |
The Descent
The Route to Barley
Barley Methodist Chapel
On BBC4 earlier in the week, there was a documentary (part of a series) Pagans and Pilgrims: Britain's Holiest Places - Trees and Mountains. The presenter was linking our wonderful outdoor places with the practices of religious people down the ages. Ifor ap Glyn completed the programme with a look at George Fox, of Quaker fame, and his Pendle Hill connection ....Ifor suggested the elevated position on Pendle Hill took the visionary preacher "Closer to The Divine". Perhaps this is what it's all about!
Walkers: Just Me.
Time taken: 2 hours 20 minutes over a distance of about 6 miles.
Route: Barley, Lower Black Moss Reservoir, Salt Pie Farm, Widy Harbour, Downham Road, Pendle House, The Steps, The Summit, The Track and back across the fields to Barley.
Weather: Cloudy and cold, windy and then extremely windy on the top.
Greetings: I met a man (near Downham Road) who had just come from the top and he described conditions on the top as "Brutal!". Andrew (Padiham) and David (Whalley) - that's where they live, not their surnames, were doing a circular to/from Newchurch. I saw a few more walkers on the way back to Barley, they all looked well equipped, so I didn't bother them with the detail.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2013 ©
Take me back to the start ....