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2018

Having compiled a blog for the last few years, it hasn't been particularly enjoyable and very much like a chore so, in 2018, it will be even more downsized than in 2017!

Early January Lincolnshire

On 7/1, headed for Ruckland and had a pleasant 10 km walk taking in Worlaby, the Bluestone Heath Road and Oxcombe.

Mid January Glossop

On 14/1, drove over taking in a short pleasant walk from Castleton which went up Cave Dale and came down Pin Dale.  This was an awful week for weather. 15/1 was a washout. 16/1 was fit just to walk up Cock Hill and Glossop Low. 17/1 was just about okay for Mill Hill, Harry Hut and the Wormstones but lots of deep drifted snow. 18/1 was Cock Hill again. 19/1, was no go. 20/1 was a pleasant walk up Parlick and Fair Snape Fell in the Trough of Bowland near Chipping.

Late January Lincolnshire

On 28/1, headed for Ruckland and had a pleasant 10 km walk taking in Farforth, Oxcombe, the Bluestone Heath Road and Worlaby.

Mid-February Glossop

On 18/2, did a pleasant short walk from Castleton which took in Pin Dale Quarry and Cave Dale. On 19/2, got the train from Chinley to Edale then walked back via Jacob's Ladder. On 20/2, walked up the Gate Side Clough track to Seal Stones, along Seal Edge then down Fairbrook Naze. On 22/2, went over to near Chipping for a pleasant walk up Saddle Fell then on to Fair Snape Fell and Parlick. On 23/2, walked from Standedge to the M62 (and back) on the Pennine Way. Pleasant high moorland walking. On 24/2, had a lovely short walk above Gardom's Edge and Birchen Edge from the Robin Hood Inn near Baslow.

Mid- March Peak District

Back in Glossop with most high roads closed by drifting snow. On 19/3, parked near Junction 22 (Ripponden) on the M62 then walked north to the White House, above Littleborough, and back. This meant crossing the footbridge high above the motorway which can be quite unnerving in a strong cross wind!  On 20/3, walked up Fairbrook Naze then down Fair Brook. On 22/3, walked about halfway up Fairbrook Naze then followed the vague path below the northern edge of Kinder to join the Pennine Way above the top of William Clough before returning along the northern edge then down Fairbrook Naze.  On 23/3, took train from Chinley to Edale then walked back via Jacob's Ladder, Kinder Low, Brown Knoll and South Head.

Mid-April   Western Isles

After a traumatic journey with ferries being cancelled, finally got to South Uist. On 17/4, headed up Beinn Mhor by it's shortest route over rough moorland!!  On 18/4, went up Beinn Mhor form Loch Aineort. Same weather! On 19/4, went up Beinn Mhor again from the Abhainn Rog bridge but still saw very little!  On 20/4, crossed to Harris and went up Clisham in same weather!  On 21/4, ascended Oreval and Tiorga Mor in more poor weather; they are rough mountains!  On 22/4, ascended Uisgneaabhal Mor in similar poor weather, seeing little. 6 continuous days of bad weather now!

Late April Sutherland

On 24/4, drove to Badanloch Lodge near Kinbrace, cycled the Loch Choir etrack for 13 km, against a strong wind, then ascended Ben Armine and Creag Mhor which are rough and mainly pathless.  On 25/4, went up Strathcarron to Glencalvie Lodge for a very pleasant ascent up Carn Chuinneag and very good views – in between snow showers!  On 26/4, had a long and tough walk over Sabhal Beag, Sabhal Mor and Meall Horn in yet more bad weather.  On 27/4, set off in heavy rain for Arkle. Slowly, the rain cleared and had great views.  On 28/4, set off from near Gualin House to climb Foinaven via Ceann Garbh from the west. Generally a good but very cold day. That completes this trip. Now just have 1 Graham (Mount Blair), 1 Corbett (Mount Battock) and 1 Munro (Mount Keen) to climb to finish all 4 rounds.

Mid May Southern Uplands & Eastern Highlands

On 17/5, drove up to the hamlet of Failburn between Abington and Lanark for a pleasant ascent of Tinto, one of the most distinctive and accessible peaks in the Southern Uplands. This was the last Donald on the second round and the next to last Graham also on the second round. On 18/5, ascended Mount Blair from the north, the last Graham of the second round. Excellent views. On 19/5, ascended Mount Battock from Glen Esk on a long moorland walk. This was the last Corbett of the second round.  On 20/5, ascended Mount Keen from Invermark in Glen Esk on another long moorland walk. This was the last Munro of the third round.

Late May Fort William

On 28/5, made an ascent of Rois-bheinn, only, for better photos than last visit. On 29/5, revisited Eigg and An Sgurr. On 30/5, revisited the Western Mamores. On 31/5, climbed Beinn Lora, a small peak behind Benderloch. On 1/6, climbed Ben Tee from Kilfinnan in very hot, calm and humid conditions which were very oppressive.

Mid-June Glossop

On 10/6, on the way to Glossop, diverted to Hebden Bridge for a short ascent to Stoodley Pike Monument via the Pennine Bridleway and Pennine Way. On 11/6, headed to near Dunsop Bridge for a rough round over Totridge and Fair Snape Fell descending via Langden Brook.  On 12/6, walked the Pennine Way from Hebden Bridge to the Pack Horse Inn. Not very exciting! On 13/6, walked from the top of the Snake Pass over Mill Hill to Kinder Downfall and Kinder Low.  On 14/6, walked the Pennine Way from the top of the Snake Pass to Bleaklow Head and back again then walked from the entrance to Reap's Farm, Torside, to where the Pennine Way turns north near Crowden.  On 15/6, had a short walk to Higher Shelf Stones and its aircraft wreckage from the top of the Snake Pass.

Mid-June  Home
After some deliberation, decided to post up information about the National 3 Peaks 24 Hour Challenge taking in Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.  This is now in the Scotland section as Ben Nevis is usually climbed first.

Late June  Home
Realised that a fair part of the Pennine Way had been covered by other routes so decided to create a separate section just for the Pennine Way and started putting together routes for the parts already walked with those still outstanding to be gradually explored then included.  The whole of the Edale Village to Hebden Bridge section has now been uploaded.

Early July Connemara and South Mayo

After taking the overnight ferry from Holyhead to Dublin, drove over to Galway then up to Derrinasliggaun hostel (Sleepzone, Connemara) near Leenane. On 4/7, set off from Delphi for one of the toughest horseshoes in Ireland – over Mweelrea, Ben Bury and Ben Lugmore. Luckily the drought had drained most of the bogs which can be horrendous but there was still much deep grass. Ben Lugmore is precipitous on its north side. On 6/7, did the main horseshoe on the 12 Bens; very tough. On 7/7, climbed Binn Mhor and Mullach Glas in the Maumturks from Mam Ean Car Park. On 8/7, climbed Binn Chaonaigh & Barrslievenaroy also from Mam Ean Car Park. On 9/7, back to the 12 Bens for Benbaun, Benfree, Muckanaght and Bencullagh from the forest below. On 10/7, climbed Ben Gorm and Ben Creggan from the road on the north side of Killary Harbour. On 11/7, cloud came down so climbed Leenane Hill, needing waterproofs, saw little so came down same way! On 12/7, had a very tough day on Mauntransa and Devilsmother. On 13/7, climbed the Sheefry Hills. Very steep ascent; even steeper descent!  On 14/7, had a day off due to poor weather. On 15/7, similar weather suggested an exploration of Barrnaslievenaroy but not enough gained for a new route. On 16/7, went directly up the steep S flank of Letterbreckaun then decended the grassy corrie to the north of Knocknahillion.  On 17/7, went up Croagh Patrick, the most popular mountain in Ireland. It's path is an absolute disgrace and the toilets in the car park are even worse!

Late August to Mid- September    Connemara and Mayo

After taking the overnight ferry from Holyhead to Dublin, drove over to Galway then up to Westport to stay at the Old Mill Hostel close to the centre of town. On 30/8, drove past Newport to Letterfreen and used the Bangor Trail to access Nephin Beg. On 31/8, climbed Birreencorragh in foul weather!  On 1/9, climbed Nephin, highest peak in the area, via its south ridge in misty conditions!  On 2/9, after a good forecast, set off for Slieve Cor, the remotest mountain in the area. It rained until 5 pm with thick mist on very featureless ground. The Bangor Trail was almost non-existent after Nephin Beg! On 3/9, in better weather, had a long and tough day on Corranabinia, its SW Top and Glenamong. On 4/9, had the most scenic day so far of this trip with a traverse of the the two tops of Croaghaun on Achill Island. Brilliant seascapes.  On 5/9, ascended Slievemore, on Achill Island, in very low cloud and saw nothing!  On 7/9, went back to Clendavoolah for another ascent of Birreencorragh in much clearer weather.  On 9/9, moved to near Leenane and did a full traverse of Leenane Hill.  On 11/9, after 10/9 was washed out, made a direct ascent of Barrslievenaroy and retruened over its E Top and Binn Chaonaigh. Strong winds!  On 12/9, headed for Glendavock and a horseshoe walk over Ben Gorm and Ben Creggan which was fairly pleasant apart from intial acess to the east ridge of Ben Gorm.  On 14/9, drove back to Achill Island and ascended the east ridge of Slievemore which is far more interesting than the west ridge.

Early October Killin and Fort William

On 4/10, headed to Annat on Loch Rannoch for an easy walk up Creag a' Mhadaidh. On 5/10, made a fourth ascent of Ben Chonzie and the first in clear conditions!  On 6/10, took the steep direct route up Ben More from Portnellan then continued to Stob Binnein. Bitterly cold for the time of year.  After a washout on 7/10, headed for Blairlogie, near Stirling, on 8/10, for a pleasant short walk over Dumyat in the Ochils. On 10/10, headed for Fort William taking in Beinn a' Chuallaich, above Loch Rannoch, on the way. Clear on the hill but higher peaks in cloud.  On 12/10, it was too windy to climb any mountains so walked up to Dun Deardail Hill Fort above Glen Nevis, starting at Glen Nevis Restaurant. Very strong gusty winds.  Very strong gusty winds. On 14/10, walked the Sgurr an Utha horseshoe from west of Glenfinnan.  On 15/10, went exploring in the Fassfern forest and ascended Aodann Cheireig.

Early November South Pennines

On 1/11, walked the Pennine Way from the Pack Horse Inn to Ponden Reservoir.  On 2/11, walked the Pennine Way from Ponden Reservoir to Cowling.  On 3/11, walked from Cowling to Thornton in Craven, on the Pennine Way, and back again. Lots of up and down!

Mid-November Glossop

With a good forecast, made the long drive to Thornton in Craven and walked the Pennine Way to Gargrave then walked back via the Leeds to Liverpool Canal. On 13/11, parked in Malham, got the bus to Gargrave then walked back to Malham on the Pennine Way. On 14/11, set off from below Snake Inn, through recently cleared forestry then walked under The Edge before returning down Fairbrook Naze.  On 15/11, started at Moorfield and walked up onto Black Moor then to Mill Hill before returning over Harry Hut and down the Wormstones ridge. On 16/11, started at the top of the Snake Pass, walked to Mill Hill then below the north ege of Kinder before ascending Upper Red Brook and continuing to the 624 Trig Point before returning via the west edge and Mill Hill.  On 17/11, had a short but awkward walk below Gardoms Edge near Baslow.

Mid- December Glossop

On 10/12, walked the Pennine Way from the top of the Snake Pass to Mill Hill and back. Low cloud so didn't see much!  On 11/12, walked up the Mermaid's Pool then onto Kinder edge before returning via the Cluther Rocks path. On 12/12, started below the Snake Inn and walked below The Edge before a steep ascent up the side of Upper Red Brook then walked east along the northern edge path of Kinder, crossing the top of Nether Red Brook, and descended from Fairbrook Naze.