Double Dart

A small yet dramatic section of the Dart Valley was our destination this weekend. We had a couple of boxes to find at Luckey Tor, and its been many years since we've visited Sharp Tor. Starting at Dartmeet, we stayed close to the river, before aiming above the tree line as we headed around Vag Hill.

The hidden valley, the unexpected rock outcrops, the stunted trees and moss covered rocks. It might have been a busy day on the river bank, but up here it was deserted, and wonderful in the warm sun. Then down to Luckey Tor, where we saw an artist in action, painting the scene in the dappled shade.

Its one of the steepest slopes on the south moor climbing from the Dart up to Sharp Tor's summit, but the effort is certainly worth it, with it's short summit ridge offering spectacular views up and down the Double Dart. We searched, as we have done before, for registered box No.415 and again, without success.

We returned to Dartmeet via the summit of Vag Hill, and noted the sites of 2 recent fires on the way. One obviously arson, since it ran alongside the road with a ragged edge. The other looked more controlled, but had destroyed the location of one box we looked for.

Dartmeet on a Sunday isn't a place WITC typically enjoys, but we understand why it is such a popular spot. When, like us, you have such personal experiences of both and their individual courses, you see them as such different rivers and associate them with very different landscapes. The West with Wistmans Wood, the stepping stones below Dunnabridge and the wilderness below Wildbanks Hill. The East and its Waterfall, Kit Rocks or Postbridge Clapper. Its great to see the forces of West and East Darts combine.

With a little over 6 miles covered, and 21 boxes found, WITC is edging ever closer to 14000 boxes total. 154 to go.