A gang of five out today to work on three tasks along the path (Wadsworth 053) that forms the Calderdale Way leading upwards from Ackroyd Lane. Blue skies, far-reaching views, bursts of sunshine were the order of the day with just enough of a cool breeze to encourage energetic work.
In ascending order, we had:
Task 1: Revetment.
Upstream view:
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| Start of session. |
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| Part way through the day. |
Downstream View:
Ray and Paul installed the revetment where a sloping, narrow path was starting to collapse into the stream. The ground is considerably more unstable than the picture (above left) suggests.
This three-tier revetment entailed a lot of ground preparation, careful alignment, stob-hammering, packing, cutting-back, levelling and landscaping to give the much-improved outcome (picture on right).
Task 2: Steps.
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| Start of the session |
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| End of the session |
A short distance further up the path, Nick and Frank H started work on a set of steps that would help walkers to negotiate a particularly steep and slippery section.
The steps were placed to form part of a sweeping curve rather than a straight flight. This helps slightly with the gain in height and is aesthetically pleasing.
The risers are our standard-size (720 mm x 200 mm x 50 mm) pinned by two stobs (600 mm x 65 mm diameter). Ground conditions were very stony and it required numerous 'hits' with the bar to make pilot holes and then to drive the stobs into place . . . but, at least they are in very tightly!
More steps would be useful here . . . when funding allows.
Task 3: Cutting back and path widening.
Meanwhile, even further up the hillside, Jan one of our newer recruits, cut-back, cleared and graded an impressive stretch of the path.
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| Start of session: path gets narrower and narrower! |
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| Later: Path perfection! |
An energetic shift! Well done Jan. However, (advanced warning) it might be more of the same next week . . . but 'elsewhere in Calderdale'!
Today's tasks were funded by Local donations. Many thanks.
