BELL HOUSE, CHARLESTOWN, HARDCASTLE CRAGS AND WIDDOP GATE

Stuart and Rich worked on the far end of the Widdop Gate Loop path, widening an existing set of steps to see what condition they were in.

The width of the steps was much narrowed with undergrowth
and several of the pegs had rotted off.

Interrupted by a horizontal hail storm!

Steps all uncovered and several new pegs put in

Several of the risers and some more pegs need replacing, bilberry needs cutting back:- so not finished yet!

Meanwhile, three steps were put in to deal with a steep slope

Should make the descent much easier

While Rich and Stuart were doing these steps, Stella and Bernard were also "stepping out" at Charlestown on the path from Oakville Road to Rawtonstall/Mytholm Steeps. 21 rotted wooden steps needed digging out and replacing. Today we did 10 of them, serenaded by wrens, great tits, jackdaws and migrating geese.  Not bad for 4 hours work......

 

The path also needs some scraping and cutting back, and there are more rotting steps lower down which could do with rescuing.

 

 

Meanwhile on Slurring Rock's sylvan slopes Gerald, Paul and Frank H continued the path improvement from last week.

'A little closer to the edge,

A little deeper in the mud.'

Sex, Death and Money: Alice Cooper 2001

 

 

Where one end of the new Slurring Rock path joins the former Mill Path (aka The Red Route), the ground is steep, muddy and unstable.

Narrow 'path' up a muddy slope and over roots (Picture 1).

Slightly more side-on perspective of same 'path'.

The plan was to direct the path through the trees but add revetment so that the route could be made level, wide and safe.

Widening work in progress.

Natural material used as revetment.

It was a fruitful day, mainly devoted to heaving tree trunks, barring-out boulders, hammering in long stobs, shovelling vigorously and trying not to slip over the edge! The end result? ... well worth the effort!



Compare this to picture 1. It's the same spot!



Further on, even more revetment was added.

Next week . . . more of the same . . . but the end is nigh! Mmm!



Out in the wilds of Erringden, Fred, Dick and RJ dealt with posts and ditches despite the snow, the hail, the rain and the sun. Four seasons in one day:- what a bargain!