RYBURN - Upper Wood Head

A team comprising Lynda, Jerry, Angus and Jak set out initially to do some cutting back on a path that links Upper Wood Head to Wood Head hamlet. 

The path has some great views near the bottom of it although it was misty today. When we first surveyed this path, quite some time ago, it was badly overgrown. Today we cut back a lot of holly and bramble overgrowth, cut in some steps at the bottom of the path where it is quite steep and cleared some fallen branches. 

Encroaching holly

Cutting back

Cutting out steps

Cutting back holly

Cutting back holly

New waymark at the bottom of this path section

We then moved on to the part of the path which runs from Wood Head down to join Hey Lane. This section is accessed through Wood Head hamlet. It is a great path that, from the top, overlooks the site of the infamous Krumlin Festival. It then goes down the side of a steep and very pretty clough. We had done quite a bit of work here previously so we were mainly checking to see if it was OK. We found a few tasks that need attention so we will be returning. In the meantime we cut back some more holly. There is a stone squeeze stile which needed overgrowth cutting back - that has now been sorted.

These two paths link to form part of a lovely circuit around the Krumlin area. 

Squeeze stile

After the cutting back

Today's work was funded by individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks.

HARDCASTLE CRAGS - outside the Blue Pig

A new display case was put in to display two boards, one about the Calderdale Way and another about all the walks into the Crags. Thanks to Wadsworth Parish Council for letting us use a redundant display case, the Blue Pig for hosting it, Friends of Calderdale Countryside for the C Way board and an individual donation to CROWS for the Crags Walk board. 

The display case was very heavy!

The original Calderdale Way board is part of the project managed by 'Visit Calderdale'. The board describes the route either side.

The second board has a map of all the waymarked walks in the Crags. The QR codes allow you to download a detailed map and directions for each of the walks.  

 

JUMBLE HOLE - stone steps part 2

 Ginny and Rich went to work on the long flight of stone steps above Cow Bridge. The first flight was cleared a few weeks ago and looks good. Our task was to clear the second flight. This project was funded by an individual donation to CROWS. 

 

Before we started

Work in progress

Second flight completed

 

We cleared the moss from all the tread edges to ensure they wouldn't be slippery when descending. A good downpour will wash the remaining detritus off. 

At the top, there is one further flight to do.  

Walsden: Carriage Drive to Inchfield Road: Steps

 Walsden: Steps on a graceful curve.

It was a day of changes. Snow changed to sleet, sleet to rain and rain to drizzle. The only constant was the temperature . . . which hovered around 0 Celsius all day. 

Ideal conditions, therefore, for Frank H and Duncan to keep warm by working hard on the task, started by other CROWS teams, of repairing the intermittent flight of steps on the right-of-way (Todmorden 212) that links the Carriage Drive to Inchfield Road (see map).

1. Right-of-way Todmorden 212; Just visible under a confusion of modification suggestions!

The Detail.

Today's task was to extend the run of steps by:

i) extending the graceful curve in picture 2 by installing 3 or 4 steps so the path swung sharply (but just as gracefully!) to the left.

ii) installing 3 or 4 additional steps as needed to assist the walker over a complex tangle of tree roots and rocks

2. Starting point. The flight of steps
so far, after two work parties. 

The work begins:

3 First step of the day: Already rocks and
tree roots are making their presence felt . . .
but that spirit-level bubble is 'dead' centre.

4. Halfway through the day: "Is that a
pizza, you are ordering, Duncan?"

The steps continue the graceful sweep around the bend to where the path levels out before eventually rising to the right behind the tree. There are many roots and boulders here as well as remnants of old steps.

5. Upper section: Decayed steps replaced . . . after a
struggle with deeply and firmly embedded stobs.

Overall we were pleased with today's efforts. The steps are secure and maintain the standard set by previous work parties. Many thanks to Inchfield Manor (mainly 19th century but with evidence of earlier structures) for allowing access along their private drive and providing secure parking.

Today's work has been funded by generous individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks for your support which helps to improve the footpaths and bridleways in our area.

BLACKSHAW HEAD - Clear up day

 Neil D and Kasher had a mini clear-up day in Blackshaw Head. A number of small tasks had been reported to CROWS so it was decided to 'tick' some of these off the list. Unfortunately, we have spotted further jobs so the list is still the same length . . . if not a little longer! These will be tackled over the next few weeks, hopefully on a day significantly warmer than it was today!

Today's work included: reinstalling a bridleway markerpost; fettling up and rehanging a small gate; replacing treadboards on stiles, and surveying and measuring up for new work around the centre of BSH.

Funding for today's work in Blackshaw Head has come from the  friends and family of Sheena McKerrel, a keen walker who lived in BSH.

Marker post reinstated on Halifax Lane.

Gate fettled and rehung on BS 021. Gate will need to be replaced.

Neil D firming up a reinstated post.

Neil trying to sort out the best way to 
recreate a gate.

The repaired gate now hung in place. We 
will need to replace this one in the future.

A slightly unorthodox stile which needs
to be replaced.

Stile upright (and fence post) which has seen
better days.

New treadboard added.... but the legs and the 
uprights need replacing!