Skirethorns Lane; Tues 22 July 14

It may seem rather silly, but the walk leader always feels in some way responsible for all aspects of the walk he/she is leading, including the weather. We all of course realise he/she can't do much about it, but nevertheless it doesn't stop the friendly banter if the walk falls on a really miserable, rainy day. At least there was no such problem today, as clear skies and temperatues in the mid to high twenties had been confidently forecast. The problem, if there was going to be one, would be the heat.

Starting in Wharfedale from Skirethorns Lane, Threshfield we took a path skirting the caravan sites at Long Ashes to the now disused Threshfield Quarry, where a newly designated public footpath goes across the floor of the old quarry, then up onto the rim. This path offered us contrasting views; to our right fine views over Wharfedale and to our left interesting, but not such fine views into the huge quarry hole. From the head of the quarry, still on the new footpath, we headed out towards Malham Moor, then on a circuitous route round by Height Laithe and after skirting above Bordley, we climbed up steepening slopes to the trig. point on Holgates Kilnsey Moor. With faces glistening with sweat, this was our cue for a break to take in our surroundings, have a drink and cool off a little.

Duly refreshed we continued down to the ancient Mastiles Lane, which we followed for some distance before dropping off to our right, passing the fisheries at Kilnsey, then along the road into the pretty village of Conistone. Ascending from there, we took the path up the gorge of Conistone Dib. Interesting and in places scrambly, it finally emerges onto the Dalesway. If on Holgates Kilnsey Moor our faces were glistening with sweat, it's fair to say they were now dripping with sweat. Again this was our cue for break, this time for lunch and a chance to absorb the fine scenery, very much enhanced by the lovely weather.

Click on pictures to view slideshow.

After lunch we followed the Dalesway for a short distance, before starting a diagonal ascent up to High Barn. The track from there along to Yarnbury gave those of us who had in the past done the Fellsman Hike, a chance to reminisce and an exchange of experiences. Descending from Yarnbury, we followed a track down to Hebden Beck, which after a short distance, we left as we headed up onto Mossy Moor. This can be very wet, but fortunately the recent dry spell had dried things up and we were able to cross the moor to Scar Top House with dry feet. We there turned steeply downhill through deep bracken, which thinned out as the slope lessened, as we rejoined Hebden Beck, on our way into the village of Hebden. Still following the beck, a path took us down to the Wharfe at Millenium Bridge, where we had another break, before following the Dalesway along to Linton Falls. Our walk finally took us into Threshfield, a stop for ice cream at the pub, then across fields to our cars on Skiethorns Lane.

We had 12, plus Sam the dog, on the walk, which came out at around 17 miles. Judging by the faces at the end, sufficient on such a hot day.

Stan.