Dove Scout:- 'The Bad Step'
It was an ideal day for Heidi, Linda H and Frank H to work on the right-of-way (Blackshaw 071) near Scout Delph just below Dove Scout Farm.
A narrow path (top left) on the edge of a slope meets 'The Bad Step'.
As the picture shows, this involves a large step down from a rock platform onto a couple of wobbly stones before another constricted precipitous section of path has to be negotiated.
For agile walkers, the uphill route is passable but the downhill direction can be very, very tricky.
The basic plan:
i) Make the approach safer by widening and levelling the paths before and after the 'bad step'.
ii) Construct a platform step immediately below the 'bad step' and build three further steps to lead up to the platform.
Phew! It might be a long day!
The Progress:
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| 1. Narrow, overgrown paths |
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| 2. One giant step, even for the agile! |
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| 3. Construction of first platform. |
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| 4. It's all a question of teamwork! |
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| 5. Top platform in place. |
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| 6. Steps constructed. |
Paths widened and levelled and 'The 'Bad Step' made into 'The Good Step'!
This was a tricky piece of construction with the design being tweaked (several times) as we progressed!
The final outcome has two standard steps leading up from a much widened path (an energetic shift by Linda and Heidi) to reach two successive platform steps that give easy footfall onto the top of the rock platform. There is a lot of internal and side cross-bracing.
The path behind Frank has also been widened (another energetic shift by Linda and Heidi).
It was not a task that could be left part-done so it was late afternoon before we finished but had the 'reward'of a sit-down and tea or coffee courtesy of Dove Scout. Many thanks.
Today's work was kindly funded by Blackshaw Head Parish Council. Many thanks.
