Adventures in wet boots

Today I finally wore in the hiking boots I bought in March, after much procrastinating. I wasn’t sure how much fitness I’d lost in the six months since I last went for a proper walk so I’d only planned on trogging round Penistone Hill for an hour, but my feet decided otherwise - I usually let them decide where I’m going. 

So I ended up going down the bank from the top of Penistone Hill, along the side of the valley and past Lower Laithe Reservoir, up onto the moors then down the rocks to Bronte Waterfalls, up the other side and climbed most of the way to Top Withens before dropping back down the side of the clough and crossing over to climb the crag which overlooks Harbour Hole, and followed the sheep track round the fell side to Harbour Lodge (used by grouse shooting tossers in the summer) and the access road back to Penistone Hill. It was probably about five miles altogether, and took just under two hours. Now I just have to start doing it several times a week again. 

I only passed two other people, but plenty of (rather spooked) Swaledales, and I disturbed a number of grouse - its nesting season, but I stuck to the paths so I doubt I got too close to the nests. They do look comical when they run - beautiful birds though. seems a shame half of em will most likely get blown out of the sky by some tweed covered halfwit in a few months. 

Anyway, it was good to get back up there.

Tags: Hikes