| Pendle From The Nick |
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Date : 27th September 2009
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Leader : Sue Larder |
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Report by : Sue Larder |
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Photos © : Sue Larder |
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| Atop Pendle Hill | |
I was fully expecting to have to resort to plan B on Sunday morning as not only could Pendle Hill not be seen the Coppice behind my house was also shrouded in mist. However, by dinner time the mist had cleared away and everything was clear and bright with the “sunny intervals” as forecasted.
14 walkers and 1 leader (I use the term loosely) set off from the Nick ‘o’ Pendle and followed the path heading up towards the “big end”. We passed some model aircraft enthusiasts flying an assortment of craft on the lower end and had a clear view across to Blackpool and the sea beyond but were not concerned about the rain which appeared to be away over on the West coast. When we reached the bottom of Ogden clough we had our lunch break with a view of the hills towards Cliviger.
After our break we took a path off to the left and followed the remnants of a wall which took us over to the North side of Pendle revealing beautiful views of the Ribble Valley and for once the cement work chimney was not spewing out smoke. At this time there were whisps of low cloud drifting across the bottom of the valley in the distance. We turned right and worked our way up the path passing the Scout cairn and the wind shelter further up. We then climbed over the first of 2 ladder stiles on this walk and looking back could see the mist obscuring the valley bottom. By the time we had walked to the next ladder style at the “big end” the mist was well and truly Oe’r Pendle.
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left:
The Scout Cairn |
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right: Looking towards Longridge Fell |
We walked over to the trig point but by this time all views were obliterated by the mist and fine rain and we couldn’t see anything at all. Including the footpath which should have taken us to the paved path back down to Ogden clough again. After trying to locate the path to no avail, rather than retrace our steps back to the trig, rescue came in the form of a GPS (thanks Howard, definitely one for the Xmas stocking) we cut across the moor and rejoined the footpath at the first ladder style and returned down past the shelter and the Scout cairn. At this point tantalising glimpses of the valley could be seen as the mist started clearing away.
We eventually turned left at the corner of a wall and followed it back to Ogden clough where we stopped for a break on the way up. This brought us back to the main footpath by which time the mist was almost gone and we could see across to the West coast again. Coming back down the main path paragliders could be seen hovering on the updrafts like huge colourful birds. And we didn’t have to call International Rescue out, all walkers returned safely if a little damp and mud spattered.
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| Ascending the ladder stile near the Big End | |
