Walk Report

Wow - what an epic walk in The Cheviots on Saturday - not for the distance which was just short of 20 miles, but for the ascents and descents over 5 summits, essentially across the tops and dips on the north side of the Harthope Valley and then looping round to climb the tops on the southern side. The terrain was a significant factor. Think of the Allendale Challenge, for those who have done it, on repeat! I'd travelled up to Wooler on Friday, stopping off here and there en route. That said I was still the last to arrive at the Middleton Hall cp and was greeted with a round of cheers as I pulled in!! I wasn't late - 3 mins in advance of 8.30 in fact! - but then a scramble to get my kit on and secured. I blame the SatNav and google maps that took me the scenic route round. Only stumbled across the cp in looking for a place to turn, thinking I'd past it! And so we were off along the road and then through a gate into the Happy Valley alongside Coldgate Water to Carey Bridge. Paul had titled the walk 'Happy Valley and The Promissory Hills' which, to appreciate, we/I need to read the book 'Two Degrees West' by Nicholas Crane - a journey taken in 1997 following the Meridian line the full length of the UK. Unfortunately his attempt to cross this area along the line brought him to a halt in Happy Valley. It looks to be a great read. Soon after with a right turn from the road we began the first of our very long ascents to Cold Law, passing Steely Crag on the long straight track to the summit (452ft). As we climbed the surrounding landscape came into view and the pay off was the opening up of the magnificent panorama in spite of it being cloudy and overcast. Thereafter there was the long descent and along this section we had our first break before the steady climb up to Broadhope Hill (517ft) - no TP not even a cairn on the flat plateau. A further descent before climbing up to Scald Hill (549ft) and then the big one - The Cheviot (815ft). Often the track was through heather with hidden drops and at one point my right foot found one, throwing me forward with a sharp bend of the knee - not a good move for my knees - but, much to my relief, there was no injury and no pain but much 'expletive deletive'!!! The boggy ground and peat hags were another matter and necessitated circuitous routes, much leaping, sinking and scrambling. One wall of peat just beat me - couldn't get a foot hold and was eventually hauled up the c.2ft wall by Paul and Paul I believe, with much laughter. I was pleased to have my thick trousers on except the friction as I was dragged up the wall caused them to end up round my hips - it could have been worse!! We'd seen the mist on the summit of The Cheviot and as it got thicker I lost sight of people before and aft, confusing our group members with a number of others climbing that day. In fact it was surprisingly quite busy at this point. The snow also thickened - quite amazing. Of course it meant no views for the effort of the climb, but the quite large plateau top doesn't necessarily give the best all round views even if it is the highest point in Northumberland. The path round the plateau was laid out in stone slabs which, surprisingly and thankfully, were not covered in ice, but all due caution was taken and it was a delight to have firm ground underfoot. As we descended out of the mist towards Cairn Hill we paused for a break sat on grassy or heathery tufts as sleety snow fell - crazy but quite sublime and delightful. And so on to Hedgehope (714ft) across Comb Fell. We had left the mist and snow behind, but had more tricky peat hags to negotiate by various means. From the summit and as we made the long descent the other side the views eastward over the patchwork scenery and shimmering light on the coast were magnificent - and this is on a cloudy day! The going was easier as we headed towards Long Crags were we paused for a final break and to push on, as by this time it was 4.40p.m. The grassy track we now followed skirting round Langlee Crags was a delight and my/our pace quickened. We crossed the bridge over Harthope Burn and on to Carey Bridge. Given it was now dusk we took the road route back to the cp with a final climb and descent, arriving at c. 6.45p.m. The ragged plan had been to have a gathering at The Black Bull in Wooler where I had stayed over Friday night. But the hour being late we all made out farewells, expressed our thanks and headed off, some arranging to stop en route home. I had a longish trip ahead of me with a soak in mind followed by a bowl of tomato soup and bed, which I duly did. My goodness I felt tired. What an astonishing, outstanding walk - a serious challenge but delighted to have completed it. Many thanks to Paul Nellist for the planning and leading of this amazing experience, to everyone for their support and company when the going was particularly tough and congratulations to everyone on completing it. Even Li Yang thought it was tough! Only my second walk in the Cheviots and not to be forgotten. And, to my further astonishment not an aching knee nor any stiffness when I woke 7.15a.m. Sunday after a great night's sleep! (Beryl Massey)

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