Frank H, Paul, Ray and Rich continued with work on steps at the top of the Jail Hole path, just below Langfield Edge. It was yet another (relatively) fine day in the South Pennines!
 |
| The view towards Stoodley Pike. |
The task was to put in more steps and then consolidate the tread areas with crushed rock.
 |
| Work just starting on one of two steps. |
 |
| Ray in action hammering home a stob. Good technique: stable stance, controlled grip, eye on the target, vertical bar and a 'square-on' hit. |
 |
| Finished flight with consolidated crushed-rock surfaces. |
A bit later, slightly lower down the path, we were joined by RJ and Graham who sat down for lunch, marked our work out of ten, then disappeared on a path-widening mission.
 |
| Widening of the path to prevent walkers tumbling down the cliff into the quarry! |
 |
| I know those steps are magnificent, guys but look at the camera! Ah, well! Too late! |
This is what the above path looked like earlier in the day.
 |
| First step going in:- that spirit-level bubble is exactly dead-centre! |
 |
| Both steps in place and tread area consolidated. |
 |
| Re-enacting the stone breaking techniques of old. |
In the afternoon we moved to the 'breach' area near Gaddings Dam to firm-up some steps treads with crushed rock and stones. An essential but not a very exciting task!
 |
| The steps we put in before Xmas . . . but with improved treads. |
From where did we get the crushed rock? You start with a large rock and hit it with a lump hammer to get 40 mm fragments . . . then repeat!
It was interesting to reflect that far below us is Croft Carr Green, the site of the Langfield Poor Law Workhouse. Towards the end of the 18th Century it had 14 inmates. Poor souls! Crushing rock was a common activity in workhouses! Mmm . . . .
Four more steps are needed on the above flight to finish (for the moment) our step building in this area. Passing walkers - and there were many of them today - were most complimentary about our efforts. We could only remind them of the Old Chinese proverb:
'One step at a time is good walking'.
Meanwhile on the more glutinous lower slopes, Bernard and Gerald, later joined by Graham and RJ, investigated some very wet drainage problems. A report may follow once the mud has dried!
Today's work was supported by the Crook Wind Farm Community Fund and Calderdale Small Grants.