With oxygen masks packed, grappling ropes at the ready and sherpas requested, Catherine, Kasher and Neil Mc (welcome back) tackled one of the steepest paths in the valley. Todmorden 144 follows Clunter Clough, through Clunter Wood, from Bottomley to Reddyshore Scout Road. The tasks today were to reinstate and replace marker posts, widen the path by cutting back heather and bilberry bushes, clear both the wooden and stone steps, and trim back overhanging branches.
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1. The steep and narrow steps at the start of Tod 144. |
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2. Neil Mc and the path through the bilberries. |
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3. Catherine cutting back near the top of the route. |
This route is now easier to negotiate but is an example of one of those paths where walking up is more straightforward than walking down!
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4. Removing sycamores from the pathway. |
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5. Unearthing the stone steps. |
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6. The cleared steps. |
We will return later in the summer to repaint the tops of the marker posts and to put in another post at the top of the path. We will also investigate the drainage problems along Tod 144 from Rough Stones.
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7. The view from near the top of the route. |
Today's work was funded by Todmorden Town Council. Many thanks.