Posts Tagged ‘North York Moors’

N York moors winter walking and Nav practice

Wednesday, January 28th, 2015

On Sunday Steve, Rob and I met up at Sutton bank on the Western edge of the Moors for a walk, having hatched a plan the day before at the Thirsk adventure film festival. The weather forecast was looking good compared to areas further west, overcast but dry, with a chilly winter wind.

Planning the walk at Steve's 'Bonnet' (should that be boot?) briefing

Planning the walk at Steve's 'Bonnet' (should that be boot?) briefing

After going through some route options at Steve's 'bonnet briefing' we began walking from Sneck Yate, near Boltby at 9.45. We set off at a blistering pace north up the Cleveland way, along some of the Sutton Bank bike trails and farm tracks that make up the byway. Snow was laying in places along the tracks, and the compacted ice from vehicle wheels made it slippery going on the track.

Checking the map

Checking the map

At Hambleton end we decided to do some navigation practice, discussing route choices and walking on a bearing. Pacing and estimating distances was interesting, as we were all about the same on the flat, but going downhill or through high heather I seemed to overestimate compared to Steve and Rob. Doing this kind of exercise in good conditions, when we could see where we were going and mistakes weren't going to be costly or serious was really useful, and will hopefully help me in the next whiteout!

Great views across Ryedale

Great views across Ryedale

Having dropped down into Ryedale, and a quick bite to eat, we headed south through fields, woodland and lots of mud to Arden Hall. By now we had some blue sky, the threatened rain hadn't arrived, and out of the cold wind it was very pleasant walking. From Arden Hall, a short sharp climb up onto the top gave us a 3km easy walk south back to the cars for 3pm.

Arden Hall

Arden Hall

It was great to get out, stretch the legs on a fine clear day, and do some Nav practice. Thanks to Rob for the photos. 13.4 miles, 5hr15mins.

Tags: ,
Posted in Walking, Winter | No Comments »

The lost turf of Cringle Crag

Saturday, January 1st, 2011

While tidying out the YAC website attic we came across an old trunk labelled "Will Smith: his blog". The trunk contained a crumbling manuscript referring to a legendary 45 metre turf route at the winter climbing mecca of Cringle Crag. And so it was that an expedition was assembled on the 18th December to probe the icy fastnesses of the North York Moors.

We encountered our first steep ice pitch some distance from our goal. Unfortunately we were still on the road at the time, so after some tentative reversing Carmen parked up at the roadside and we set off cross country across a christmas card landscape.

Arriving at the crag

A little over an hour later we arrived at the crag. There was clearly quite a lot of potential for short ice routes, but after the recent thaw many of the cascades were pretty but not really robust enough to climb. Still, after a bit more exploring Rob and me found enough short solid routes to keep us entertained ice-bouldering stylee.

Quite a lot of ice, but much of it too delicate to climb

Meanwhile Carmen and Simon had succeeded in finding and climbing the fabled turf route (Cringle Ridge). This turned out to be nearer 25 metres than 45 but provided some enjoyable climbing, mostly on easy steps with good frozen turf placements. Rob led, I seconded (note to self: do remember not to hold metal gear in your mouth while winter climbing :-$). Worth it just for the novelty value of climbing winter routes on the moors!

Rob on Cringle Ridge

Mission accomplished by both teams we headed back to the car arriving in York with enough time for hot showers before heading back out to the YAC xmas dinner.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Climbing, Winter | 1 Comment »

Hambleton Herbert

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

A group of miscreants calling themselves The Flying Herberts go for a mountain bike every Saturday. The Flying Herberts is made up of members of York Alpine Club, Hashers, ex Hashers and various others of no fixed abode. Ride venues are usually decided a week in advance and advertised by email. However by last Thursday nothing had been sent out about a ride for the following Saturday so I thought I would post something out about a ride from Sutton Bank.

In response to the post came a wide variety of excuses ranging from Pagan Weddings and road riding to bad backs. Nobody apart from myself was at Sutton Bank at the appointed time, 9.30am so I decided to drive a bit further north and go exploring. I parked at the top of Sneck Yate Bank above Boltby. Starting from here the ride took me on a mixture of forest rides through Boltby Forest and quality single track before emerging from the shade of the trees into the scorching sun and the Cleveland Way overlooking the Vale of York. From here I cycled over Black Hambleton to Chequers Farm above Osmotherly and catastrophe the café was closed, I had got there earlier than expected because being on my own there was nobody to taking up time sharing lewd anecdotes with or discussing the iniquities of the civil service, what usually happens on a Herberts ride

Having composed myself I set of back retracing my tyre tracks over Black Hambleton and along the Cleveland Way until I got to Arden Great Moor, here I turned East on single track which descends steeply down into Thorodale, including a section too precipitous to ride. Once down in the deep valley I rode through woods to Arden Hall and from then on to Hawnby and a tea stop at the village shop and cafe.

The shop/café needs supporting having recently lost its post office, asking for a pot of tea I got enough for 5 cups with my bacon sandwich. Starting again I retraced my steps as far as the Church, from here I turned left to circle Coomb Hill. Cycling and route finding here were both difficult, the terrain was soft and the signage unclear. This is shooting country and there were pheasants everywhere. Back at Arden Hall an unmade road climbs steeply on up to the Cleveland Way. Before the moor top I turned south to bike across superb grassy tracks to High Paradise Farm and the Hambleton Drove Road. From here it was a 1km downhill blast to Sneck Yate Bank where I had parked the car 4 ½ hours earlier.

Peter E

Tags: , ,
Posted in Cycling, MTB | 2 Comments »

Glorious Sandstone of Scugdale….

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Well after missing the YAC Tuesday night climbing sessions for the past few weeks another climbing friend suggested heading out on Wednesday night.

So there I was heading off to meet up with John Byrne and Pete Crosby, two non YAC people that quite a few club members know.  The original plan had been to head for Brimham but the late afternoon weather check showed that rain was heading across the country from the West.  So we decide to head for Scugdale on the North York Moors.

Well after a short slog up the hill ( just enough to get the blood flowing ) we started cautiously to boulder and solo various routes, as we relaxed and got the "feel" for the sandstone harder things were led, top roped, soloed and bouldered.

The wind died down and the Sun came out to give a glorious evening at the crag.  For the last route of the evening we top roped The Prow E1 5A ( no gear ) tough little thing but a great route.

We all felt knackered by 8:45 so we headed for home.

Cant wait to go back again as Scugdale is a magic little place, you should all go there regularly.

Tags: ,
Posted in Climbing, Crags | 2 Comments »