Wednesday, 23 April 2025

HEPTONSTALL - Draper Lane (session 3) - steps in the sun?

 Draper Lane - Even more steps!

On a calm, warm, sunny day Ian S, Steve and Frank H continued with step construction on the right-of-way Heptonstall 051 which drops down from near the narrow Draper Lane to go steeply through Hawden Hole Woods (See map).


1. Map: The blue 'pin' marks the work location just below the bend in the path near Turf Stone.

Today's work was funded by the Yorkshire Veteran's Athletic Association and individual donations to CROWS. Thank you for your support and thanks too to the local resident who provided us with safe off-road parking.

The Detail.

The plan was to carry all tools and materials down the impressive but steep stone steps and work on replacing wooden steps just before a significant deterioration in the path. Frank worked on replacing a single rotten step before joining Ian and Steve who were replacing a flight of five decayed steps. Here's how the day went:

2. Before: One rotten riser on partly decayed
but deeply embedded stobs.

3. After: Neat replacement job!


4. Lower down: Out with the old and in with the new.

5. Lower down: levelling and packing the tread areas.


6. End of session: Graceful rising curve of steps

There is a lot more still to do here. The next section is very steep and needed meticulous planning, placement and spacing of at least a dozen steps. Mmm! Accurate measurement and careful forethought absolutely essential!