Running up that hill

This August has just been about one thing for WITC: the Olympic Games.  We were very fortunate enough to have  tickets for many different events, so we criss-crossed the UK, from Weymouth to Essex to Central London, Cardiff and Olympic Park at Stratford.  We had an amazing time, watching great sports action and soaking up the incredible atmosphere.

It was a shame when the whole show ended on the night of the 12th.  And what a marvellous closing ceremony it was!  We were delighted to discover therefore that two British Olympians - cyclists Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish - will be in action on Dartmoor in September.  The Tour of Britain event arrives in Devon on its penultimate leg on September 15th. Cyclists from around the world will converge on the county on a 106 mile route from Barnstaple to Dartmouth, via Merrivale Hill (pictured) on the Tavistock to Two Bridges road.

Expect road closures and cheering crowds if you are walking this way that weekend.  Perhaps it was fortunate we completed our route up the Walkham valley this past week then.  Up to Dead Lake and Cocks Hill via the Staple Tors.  With a brisk wind to push us along, the slopes did not hold us back.  And like a true King of the mountain (ahem), whoisthechallenger found 29 boxes on the 13 mile day.    Next week the Paralympics start, and we are hoping to witness more great sport and intense competition.  Come on Team GB!

Uncle Ab

Concluding our July focus on Dartmoor houses, today's walk included a visit to the remains of a pit pony residence near the head of Middle Brook: Uncle Abs House.  

Our walk took us from Shipley Bridge up the Zeal Tor Tramroad to Petres Pits, and on up to Eastern Whittaburrow.  Affectionately known as the Sub, due to its resemblance to a surfacing submarine with a conning tower.  At 472 metres, EWB is one of the highest points on the South moor, and provides impressive views across the South Hams.

WITC met fellow letterboxers 'Slow Going' and 'Cornish Lady'.  They helped kick start the box finding, which up to this point had been tough, thanks to iffy weather and the LBT.  From Eastern Whittaburrow to Western Whittaburrow, with Petres Cross affixed in it's cairn.  

We descended from here to Quickbeam Hill, Knattaburrow, and Middle Brook.  Pausing to look around Uncle Abs House.  The shell of this property stood as late as the 1950's, as a photo on the Dartmoor archive shows here.  Today, just a solitary corner remains upright, alongside the ruined foundations.  A geocache is hidden among the ruins, but letterboxes keep their distance.

The house used to be split level, with the ground floor used to store the horses for nearby pit work, and the first floor for the staff.

A quick crossing of the hill to Bala Brook, and we found ourselves just a short stroll around Brent Moor from the Avon Dam track and Shipley Bridge.

8 miles walked.  15 boxes found.

A sneaky peek

WITC notes with interest the sale of another iconic Dartmoor house:  Pew Tor Cottage, near Merrivale.  This 6-bedroomed property has a unique situation amongst small Dartmoor properties, in that it is surrounded by access land (and probably letterboxes) right up to it's four boundaries.  High hedges provide the residents with seclusion, and the proximity from the top of the Pew Tor prevents prying eyes.  So the brochure attached to the property listing (accessible via Rightmove: here) gives a rare glimpse into the home and gardens.

The sales information suggests that the house was built in the late 18th century, with many original character features.  It has an acre of land including an ornamental pond and - although it needs upgrading - a swimming pool too.

The square shaped, wooded family retreat is on the market now for £675,000 from Tavistock agent Ward and Chowan.

Rain stopped play

Whoisthechallenger took a stroll up the Plym this past week.  With high hopes and even higher gaiters, we splashed our way out of the Gutter Tor car park towards Ditsworthy Warren.  The house, which featured in last year's Oscar-nominated Spielberg epic 'War Horse' looked decidedly moody under leaden skies.

The recent rains on Dartmoor again has hit the headlines with the Yealm sparking a Severe Flood Warning on Friday 6th July.  River levels in Yealmpton rose more than 6 feet higher than normal for this time of year.  The Plym was also on high alert.  The Youtube video below was filmed during the morning of July 7th at the confluence of Blackaton Brook and River Plym above Cadover Bridge.  The OP of the video: 'Bikiniboy' states that levels had dropped 2.5ft before he arrived on location.

In keeping with the exceptional conditions, our walk came to an abrupt halt at Whittenknowles Rocks because our path to Drizzlecombe and beyond was underwater.

Lets hope Summer arrives soon!

Genius!

WITC has spotted a fantastic idea being used in another National Park, and wonders why it took so long!  Our only question is, why wouldn't this work on Dartmoor?

The idea comes from the Mountainsafe Partnership in Snowdonia who have installed small blue discs on gates and stiles in the National Park to assist lost walkers, assisting them to locate themselves on the map.  Only 6 figure references mind, from the image provided.

There are plenty of fixtures for grid reference discs to be attached to on Dartmoor: stiles, posts, etc.  Its not exactly detracting from the scenery, and it will assist lost walkers, ten tor'ers, whilst also encouraging other moor users to use maps and compasses (and other GPS).

What do you think?  Click the link below to read the news story on grough.co.uk.

Grid Reference Signs help walkers

Make it happen DNPA!

New clues: A rangale of deer

I'm proud to release my latest clues: A rangale of deer.  A rangale is a collective noun meaning a rabble or mob.  This rangale are all located in the East Dart valley between Postbridge and Kit Steps.  It can be completed in a circular walk with one river crossing.  Please take care after heavy rain!  

Broad Down   Deleted

East Dart   Deleted

Cowflop Bottom  Deleted

Flat Tor  Deleted

Broad Marsh  Deleted

Sandy Hole Pass  Deleted

Lade Hill     Deleted

Stannon Tor   Deleted

Hartland Tor  Deleted

These boxes have been removed from the moor now.  whoisthechallenger@rocketmail.com

Feeling Wist-ful

The impending heatwave this week inspired whoisthechallenger to return to the moors.  We had a short route planned up to Longaford Tor via Wistmans Wood.  The ground was much firmer under-foot than the last time we were out on Dartmoor.

Deep within Wistmans Wood is a small fenced off area preserved since the mid 60s to allow us all to see how the wood may have looked in the past.  Our recollections of the Wistmans Wood just 15-20 years ago are of fire-beaters stacked at the corners, and very few tracks into the undergrowth.

Wistmans Wood is synonymous with an impenetrable woodland of stunted oak trees and damp moss covered caves and boulders.  But the copse is changing rapidly, with the trees no longer stunted, but growing.  Erosion caused by grazing animals and by the sheer numbers of human visitors are taking their toll on the undergrowth.  Its listing as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve, and featuring in so many 'official' guides to Dartmoor have left Wistmans Wood slightly exposed.

Black-a-tor Copse in the West Okement Valley looks set to receive a full fence surround to protect it (at MOD expense).  Piles Copse, the third major area of ancient woodland on the Moor, has been blooming for several years, and certainly lacks the accessibility and attention of it's more Northerly counterparts.

Still its location is stunning, and provides subject material for tons of letterboxes in the region.  Our walk passed  the forest and up to Longaford, returning down the ridge passing Littaford, Little Bee and Crockern Tors, before returning for well earned drink at Two Bridges Hotel, and the car.