Today was a day to be working on the other side of the valley . . . i.e. in the sun! However, RJ and Kasher found themselves in Scaitcliffe Wood clearing the upper reaches of footpath Todmorden 082, which was in the shade all day.
Last week, year's of leaf mould were cleared from the lower part of this path. Today, we continued with this task working our way uphill unearthing stone steps, the remains of wooden steps and revetments.
 |
| 1. There are steps here somewhere! |
 |
| 2. RJ uncovering the stone steps. |
A few rhododendrons were growing perilously close to the path causing walkers to walk too close to the steep slope. These were cut back. There was one tree which had fallen across the path but the route is passable with care. We will return to clear this obstruction and do further cutting back.
 |
| 3. Rhododendrons encroaching over the path. |
 |
| 4. The fallen tree which will need to be removed. |
The stone steps further up the hillside were smaller and less substantial than the steps near the bottom of the path. However, in its day this must have been an impressive route overall with large well-positioned stonework and, still visible, the remnants of turnbys and a metal hand rails.
We worked our way up to the stile at the top of the wood. This stile was in surprisingly good condition but the path will need further work to :
a) cut back the rhododendrons
b) remove the fallen tree from the path
c) replace a large number of wooden steps
d) put in two lengths of revetment where the path is narrow and close to the edge of the steep slope.
 |
| 6. RJ going down the steep steps ... with care! |
 |
| 5. The cleared path: now more easily seen. |
Today's work has been funded by a kind donation in memory of Robert Harker who was a keen walker and a lover of the countryside. Many thanks.
