Getting rid of the Christmas excesses on Whernside.

[martin.h]

We all know what it's like at this time of the year, we enjoy ourselves, eat too much and drink a wee bit more than we should, ho hum. With the time between Christmas and the New Year assigned to not much at all, what better than a quick jaunt over a local hill?

Having been diagnosed with a compressed nerve in my lower back recently, my right leg is not feeling up to a long walk (I hope I get this sorted before long, its a bit uncomfortable and it concerns me a bit), we decided a walk over Whernside would get us out and not aggravate it too much.

The parking at Ribblehead was plentiful which is a change from summertime when the earlier you arrive the better chance you have of getting an off the road park spot.

We were lucky with the weather, a bit breezy but dry and not too cold. Suited and booted we set off feeling a bit sluggish after being off the hills for five weeks but not too bad and I was taking it steady.

This walk starts off on the Yorkshire Three Peaks path
P1291768 by Martin Hawer, The good path.

P1291772 by Martin Hawer, Ingleborough from the path.

P1291773 by Martin Hawer, Water feature.

It's easy enough all the way to the summit so this helped with the back and leg, travelling over forgiving terrain. we were on the summit after 1.5 hrs so not too bad.
We didn't stop too long on the top preferring to keep going, by now the wind had really started to gust.

P1291774 by Martin Hawer, Views from the summit, looking towards Gragareth.

P1291776 by Martin Hawer, Ingleborough looking like a smoking volcano.

P1291777 by Martin Hawer, Looking down the ridge towards Ingleton.


From the summit its an easy walk along the ridge with really nice views of Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent, The Howgills and the Lakes. There's a steep bit of a descent further on which was a bit uncomfortable today but it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be so I'm a bit more optimistic about our plans for next year

P1291779 by Martin Hawer,Looking up to Whernside from the descent.

P1291786 by Martin Hawer, Pen-y-Ghent.

P1291787 by Martin Hawer, Whernside again.

We walked back to Ribblehead along the bridleway that runs under the slopes of Whernside heading towards the viaduct and arrived back at the car 3.5 after leaving.

P1291790 by Martin Hawer, Looking along the Bridleway to Bruntscar Farm.

P1291791 by Martin Hawer, Ribblehead Viaduct.

P1291794 by Martin Hawer, Ingleborough still smoking.

P1291795 by Martin Hawer, Whernside skyline.

The Yorkshire Dales are only a short hop away for us and are ideal for long and short walks over varied terrain, with my little niggle I'm going to use them a bit more this winter.

[ChrisW]

Sorry to hear about the back pain Martin, hope that fixes up soon (back pain is always bloody awful) at least that means you'll be seeing more of Yorkshire, which is never a bad thing The Ribblehead Viaduct shot really brings back memories for me and as always it's lovely to see home in all it's glory