MID-SLACK: the downward path revisited

 Down into Hebden Wood.

The right-of-way (Heptonstall 048) goes down from the dwellings at Mid-Slack to enter Hebden Wood (see map). 

1. The worksite

Transport of tools and materials down the track from Mid-Slack was in a four-wheel-drive vehicle driven by a friend of CROWS. Many thanks. This saved us a long(ish) carry of large(ish) loads in sweltering conditions with temperatures again nudging the 30 Celsius mark.

2. Trackside flora: Foxglove (or Digitalis Purpurea). 

The Foxglove may look delightful but beware. The entire plant is toxic causing nausea, headaches, skin irritation, diarrhoea . .  . and that's just for starters!

The work for Ian S, Andrew and Frank H (aka the 'Yorkies' *see later) was to build a flight of steps down into Hebden Wood from the edge of the path that was shored up two weeks ago.

3. Original state of the path.

4. Shoring put in two weeks ago by Guy and Ian.

Today's work was geometrically tricky and involved shaping and installing revetments to define the sides of the path, and fitting risers that coped with the necessary angle change at the shoring end of the flight. It was a long session in sweltering conditions but with the fortunate appearance of Jan and canine companion (sorry Marley - no photo of you!) bearing a supply of cakes. 

5 Yummy! . . . but fast disappearing!

Many thanks.

Boosted by a sugar overload, work progressed . . .

6. Revetments: One revetment in place and the
end of another being cut to give a flush fit. 

7. Revetments: Channel being dug to accept
second revetment. Positioning must be exact.

8. Nearly there! Complete flight. Flat tread areas.
Risers and revetments anchored by same stobs
with a very tight fit all round..

9. End of session.

We were pleased with the end result although a check if there has been any 'settlement' may be done next month. However, the steps are secure, stable and easy to negotiate. The side-banks have been landscaped and a take-off/landing stone embedded at the bottom of the flight. Walkers enjoy! 

This task was funded by a donation from Heptonstall Parish Council. Many thanks.

{* Yorkies? Ian, Frank and Andrew all, at some stage, lived and worked in York. Ian and Frank were there at the same time and (apparently) unknown to one another went on the same joint-venture pot-holing trip . . . . but that was before Andrew was born! Mmm! . . . "Tempus fugit"}