Night Running Around the Chew Valley

The following report is from the Night Running section of Saddleworth Runner's Club.

This week, eight Owl's set out from Bin Green for a night run above the Chew Valley. Arriving at our start point we watched the police (and possibly some Mountain Rescue?) searching the slopes of Alderman in the dark. Their torches scanning the rocky hillside as they ascended, with a search-dog out in front.

Dropping down through the woods we came across another empty Police vehicle parked on the track by the reservoir. Whilst the night sky was clear and a frosty chill hung in the air, we had to remove our cags and some warm layers of clothing, as we made way along the shores of Yeoman Hey Reservoir. Hand-railing Greenfield Brook, the cathedral-like ebony black walls of Ravenstones Brow towered high above our heads, with a bright moon seemingly perched on the rim of Raven Stones Rocks.

Heading up Birchen Clough, we enjoyed a nocturnal scramble on the rocks that have to be traversed when following this narrow path above the stream. Caught in the beams of our head-torches the fast flowing river and dramatic waterfalls were a spectacular sight.

Upon reaching calmer waters, we crossed the stream and turned north-west to make our way to the three-pinnacled tower of rock, known as the Trinacle. Now on the open moor we became exposed to a bitter cold wind and made the sensible decision to don cags. Earlier in the run I had swapped head-torches with Bruce, to try out his new Petzl Nao. Flitting along the precipitous edges, the beam clearly illuminated the route far better than my other torch. When glancing down into the vast open space of the valley below, the 'Intelligent Reactive Lighting Technology' instantly switched to full beam and I could clearly identify objects in the far distance. So far I was impressed but the real test would come when we made the rough steep descent of Ashway Gap.

With the banter free-flowing, throughout the whole group, we continued to Ashway Rocks, from where we could still see the blue lights of emergency vehicles flashing on the Holmfirth Road. The night-time search was clearly still underway upon Alderman Hill, and in the valley bottom below.

Dropping off from the rocks, we descended Ashway Gap. Finding a narrow trod, we made good progress over the rough ground and soon picked up the main path. Being a natural down-hiller I'm always looking for the thrill of a rapid descent. However, in recent years I've noticed that my eyesight no longer seems to be at its optimum operating level and, on night runs, I have become more cautious when in descent. However, with the new Nao strapped to my head my foot placement had become more precise again and I once again had the confidence to let go and move up through the gear ratio. Halfway down I again swapped torches with Bruce. Going back to my old trusty companion would be the real test. Within only a few metres, I had discovered the answer to my quest. Running with my old head-torch again was like having tunnel vision, and the ground wasn't illuminated as clearly as with the Nao. Try descending Ashway Gap at speed with one eye shut and the other looking through a Smarty tube and you will get the idea. I made my mind up there and then that I was having one of the Petzl Nao's. They're not cheap but if you're really into your night running these seem a great piece of kit. Anyway, I've already ordered one from Mountainfeet, in Marsden. Si, the shop's owner, has promised to bring it over for me next week, to the Janapar film night.

After reaching the valley floor we made our way back along Dove Stone Reservoir to return to Bin Green. Returning to the club, we enjoyed a few beers and plenty more banter and laughs, with the rest of the club.

Two Outings in One Day - Part Two: Blackstone Edge

 

Some people do business in the boardroom, others on the golf course. A friend and I had some running club business to discuss, so chose to conduct our meeting on the moors …

 

Howard and I are both members of Saddleworth Runner’s Club, which is a fell-running club whose headquarters are based at the Cross Key’s Inn, Uppermill. Howard is the club’s long-standing secretary and I the Chairman. With the club approaching the end of the administrative year and with the our AGM looming, there were various matters which needed our attention. With both of us having a passion for the outdoors, and a loathing of sitting at desks or in stuffy meeting rooms, where better place could there be to hold a meeting than on the open moors, whilst partaking in our first love – fell-running.

 

After enjoying a delightful, early morning walk in Tandle Hill Country Park, with my son and our dog, it was clear that the best part of the day had passed. Picking Howard up from his house, at about 10.45am, the weather had closed-in and the windscreen wipers on the car were working flat-out in order that we had a clear view of the road. Reaching the White House Pub, on the A58, above Littleborough, the wind speed had increased and upon opening the car doors we were met with a surge of rain, which swept straight through the vehicle. Gore-Tex until end-ex, would be the order of the day!

 

Initially heading east, along the Halifax Road, we hugged the right-hand verge as a few high-sided vehicles sped past, en-route to Rochdale. After about a kilometre, we left the road and followed Rishworth Drain, on ground more appealing to fell-runner’s. After crossing the Old Packhorse Road, we skirted below Flint Hill and descended a section of path, to the east of Thief Clough, which is always wet and boggy, even in the driest of weather. After the prolonged rain of the past weeks the ground was now more akin to swamp-land, and we had to carefully pick our way around the worst sections.

 

Reaching firmer ground, we crossed a small footbridge and turned west, along a good path which follows the course of another drain to Green Withens Reservoir. Passing the West Yorkshire Scouts Outdoor Pursuits Centre, we followed the reservoir access road south, before hand-railing the M62, for a short while, to meet up with the Pennine Way, where it crosses the motorway (see: http://www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-m62-pennine-way-footbridge.html )

 

The M62, trans-Pennine motorway is one of the busiest motorways in the country. However, today there was not a single vehicle to be seen, on either carriageway. Highway patrol vehicles, parked at junction 22, were a clear indication that the motorway had been closed. Behind their road blocks, long lines of static vehicles had built up in both directions, on the A672. We just hoped that no one had been seriously injured or worse.

 

Continuing north, we now followed Britain’s most popular long-distance footpath, the Pennine Way. As we climbed to higher ground, and emerged from the shelter that we had been afforded whilst on the Yorkshire side of the Pennines, we once again encountered gusting winds and driving rain. This section of footpath from around Longden End Brook to Sun End used to be in a bad state of repair and very boggy underfoot. However, a new stone slab path has now been laid, making forward progress very easy. Howard and I debated the merits of managed paths on open moorland and, whilst recognising their need, in order to prevent further erosion of this fragile environment, there is no doubt that they are an unpleasant sight.

Reaching the top of the climb, we traversed the geological ridge, which is Blackstone Edge, which once marked the former Lancashire/Yorkshire border. Passing the summit trig point, we flitted between the gritstone rocks as we made our descent back to the White House pub.

 

We had been out on the moors for a little over an hour and completed a circuit of just over 6 miles. Whilst others may shy away from venturing on to the high moors in inclement weather, we had embraced the opportunity. Being out on the hills instead of stuck in a dreary office would always be our preferred choice, whatever the weather. The only thing left to do now was conduct the rest of our business over a welcoming pint and delicious hot meal, in the White House.

Two Outings in One Day - Part One: Tandle Hill Park

With the passing of Halloween, November welcomes us for another month of enjoyable walks and outings. On this first day of November I had the pleasure of enjoying two separate outings in the countryside. Both in some enjoyable company. Whilst neither of the walks were actually within Saddleworth, each of them took in some beautiful scenery.

I was awakened early this morning with the sun's rays shining through the part-drawn curtain's and a gentle, fresh breeze blowing through the open window. My son came into my room and, proclaiming what a beautiful, autumnal morning it was, and asked if we could take our dog for a walk in Tandle Hill Country Park, in Royton. Having already planned to meet a friend, for an outing in the South Pennine hills, at around 11.00am, we jumped in the car and set out for a pre-breakfast stroll.

Walking through the  110 acre, Beech woodland, we waded through a deep carpet of crisp, fallen leaves as the suns rays streamed through the thinning, golden canopy. My son found a rope-swing, fastened to the limb of a large tree, and enjoyed the thrill of swinging back and forth over a steep ravine. 

The name Tandle Hill is said to mean 'Fire Hill' and was used as a meeting place by radicals, in the 19th century. In the time leading up to the Peterloo massacre, which took place on 16th August 1819, at St.Peter's Field, Manchester, Tandle Hill is said to have been used by protestors for practicing marching and drilling formations. After the appalling incidents of that fateful day, the beech woodland was planted, to prevent the area being used by protestors again, and it became a private game reserve and hunting park, of the  Thornham Estate. In 1861 the park was sold to Joseph Milne, whose wife later sold it Norris Bradbury, who was a local councillor. In 1919, Councillor Bradbury gave the park to the people of Royton, as a peace offering to mark the end of the First World War.

Moving on, we climbed to the parks highest point, where a war memorial, unveiled by the Duke of Derby, in 1921, commemorates the men of Royton who laid down their lives in the First World War. This lofty position offers commanding views over Scout Moor Wind Farm and across to Winter Hill. The summits of these distant peaks were obscured by low cloud and we recognised that we were enjoying the last of the days clear weather as the moisture laden vessels crept closer.



Continuing around our woodland circuit, we made our way back to the car and returned home for breakfast.

Tomorrow I'll post a write up of the day's second outing, which took in the lower reaches of the South Pennine hills.