Calderdale Hike

[MarkL]

Been up today to check that bit out! Can follow the fence boundary from hoof stones which will take you right back to bridleway without getting lost and is pretty good running or if you are feelin brave compass off hoof stones and aim or the two sets of rocks ( if you can see them) shorter but tough underfoot very hard tussocks.......beautiful ay up there today though!

I was up there too, after the Heptonstall fell race. Didn't see anyone else, funnily enough - it's a bit bleak up there isn't it.
I tried the direct line. It's not too bad going down to the shooting hut between the Gorple Ressers. There are a few places where the heather is knee deep but a lot of it is shorth new heather and even burnt off in places. After the shooting hut it's a bit of a nightmare with loads of big hard tussocks. It took me 49 minutes to get down from the top to Widdop dam.

I wonder whether going the long way round along the boundary fence and onto the track might be less energy sapping, and possibly also quicker. I'll try out the long way if I get the chance.

[Twinkletoes]

MarkL _ I will try this section on Saturday and let you know - I'm tending to agree with you about going the direct line to the pennine bridleway track and then using the track to Widdop, much easier underfoot/less energy zapping.

[vburke]

You would have known if you had seen us i had my big husky dog attached to me dragging me around!

Heading up there wed eve to have another look at the direct route....but yes could certainly be better unning heading for the boundary fence and track! Oh choices choices!

[Mark L]

Anybody tried following the boundary fence and then big track as opposed to a straight line from Hoof Stones to Widdop?
Is there a definitive view as to which is the most efficient line?

Or has someone worked it out but they're not telling!!

[vburke]

Hiya,

I have tried running down the boundary line to the bridle way and then also tried turning right from the trig and following that boundary fence too to the shooting hut and the res. they are similar distance. 0.5 miles ish between them but personally i found the running turning right and following the permissive path and fence boundary then onto the footpath which joins the res not far from the cp a better route and quickerrunning.

[MOUNTAIN MAN]

Hiya,

personally i found the running turning right and following the permissive path and fence boundary then onto the footpath which joins the res not far from the cp a better route and quickerrunning.

Is that the path that goes between upper and lower gorpl resvs? On the map it looks like there could be more climbing up to pass Clough Head Stones - is all that good going?

[MarkL]

Hmm...
It's going to take another trip out there if I can make the time.
I've never done the Hike before, does the route always include tricky route choices?

[stevefoster]

I've never done the Hike before, does the route always include tricky route choices?

It does, always just a series of checkpoints to be visited in order the best way you can.

[karen nash]

But the route only changes every 3 years or so- so this year will be harder than the last two where experience has paid off

[Mark L]

OK, it looks like a couple of days off work for reccies.

On a completely different note - the kit instructions say you need a survival bag as opposed to a space blanket.
What do people normally carry, if not one of those heavy duty orange plastic sacks?