Walk Report

Thirteen LDWA members from East Lancashire, West Lancashire and West Yorkshire groups assembled near Whalley Abbey for a 9am start on a bright but cool Sunday morning. The first few miles generally followed the route taken in the 2015 Red Rose 100. As there is little suitable location further on, we took our morning coffee break on reaching the road just before Nick of Pendle. At that point, one of our group had to turn back as he was suffering from something in his eye which could not be removed. His safe return was later checked.
The section between and Nick of Pendle and the summit was somewhat wild with a strong wind to battle through. Gloves and hat weather. The summit was popular and a kind fellow summiteer offered to take photos so we were all included in the shot.
We inspected the plaque for George Fox and then were soon on our way losing height and losing the wind, back on the RR100 route to Downham. Lunch was taken at Downham which is such an ideal place for a stop. Some of us even made use of the highly recommended ice cream shop.
It really is a walk of two halves, as with the lack of wind chill, layers could be removed as we headed through the lush landscape, negotiated the crossing of the A59, through the village of Chatburn and onto the banks of the Ribble where we espied a heron. Onwards through the Sculpture Trail with an excellent location for afternoon break with ample benches available before heading away from the river to return to our vehicles shortly after 5pm, having covered just short of 21 miles with 2360 ft of ascent (33km, 720m ascent).
The day had been glorious : dry both above and underfoot and many remarked that they would do the route again.
Gordon Stone - East Lancashire LDWA.
Comments by Neil Harwood, Chair of West Lancs. It was great to join the first joint walk with our sister group, East Lancs. It truely was a joint walk with a member from North Yorkshire and the Irregulars as well. Whilst it was a cold day, with a brisk head wind on the climb up to Pendle, once we had descended to Downham the afternoon was lovely and sunny. It was a great walk and thanks to Gordon and East Lancs for sharing this with West Lancs.

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