A Jaunt up Heejup

[johnkaysleftleg]

We spent half term week not too far from home up on the Northumbrian coast at Seahouses. The weather wasn't too bad for pottering around the coast but the nearby Cheviot Hils weren't so lucky. We did get a fine day however and took advantage to climb up arguably their best top, Hedgehope Hill.

The Harthope valley looked absolutely magnificent in the morning sun with it's full array of autumnal colours on show. We parked at the old sheepfold and set off up towards the prominent Housey Crag via the permissive path. We hadn't been walking long before coming across a vandalised sign on a stile that looked like it might have once said dogs are prohibited. As I also might have not been able to read it, on we went.

Hedgehope hill from the start of the walk by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking across to a cloud capped Cheviot by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Scald Hill by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking down the Harthope Valley by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Housey Crags by Anthony Young, on Flickr

...and again by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Cheviot still cloud capped by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The climb up to Housey Crags is a steep but not to bad. Any lack of hill fitness was easily overcome by the joy of being out on such a wonderful day. Underfoot conditions had been a little moist so far but recent heavy rain showers had taken there toll on what was to come.

Looking back at Housey Crags by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hedgehope Hill ahead by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back to Long Crags by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Following Long Crags the route levels up and becomes really rather wet but by in large most of the worst was dodgeable. Following this soggy traverse the dryer ground of the final pull was welcome but given lack of fitness it was punishingly steep.

Looking down to Langleeford by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Nearly there by Anthony Young, on Flickr

View to the North East by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Moody summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

We arrived at a moody summit with mist wafting in and out on the strong cold wind and parked ourselves in the commodious shelter for lunch. Fortunately the mist cleared as we ate so we could enjoy the views of the Border lands in all directions. It was at least a little tempting to push on to Comb Fell and The Cheviot but the sodden ground which could be clearly seen on the way to Comb Fell made the decision for us.

Trig Point by Anthony Young, on Flickr

View to the South West by Anthony Young, on Flickr

View to South West in Mono by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie and Grace by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Face into the wind boys by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Still Innocent after all these Years by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Heejup hill by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The descent was uneventful as we returned the way we came, once again dodging the boggiest bits and amazingly avoiding too many slips down the muddy steep bits.

A now clear Cheviot from Long Crags by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Autumnal Fells by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The Cheviot by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Green track to Langleeford by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Cheviot mono by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On the way down by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Nearly back to the car by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Housey crags by Anthony Young, on Flickr

It was great to get out into the hills on such a glorious autumnal day given the meager rations of late. Nothing worse than life getting in the way of living.

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

I did manage to get out of bed all but one morning to catch the sunrise from various locations, below is my favorite shot from each morning.

Wave upon Wave by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Fractured by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Keep your Powder Dry by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Lindisfarne Dawn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Silence of the Sea by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Time is Running Out by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Not to mention a wonderful clear night at Bamburgh

Starry Night at Stag Rock by Anthony Young, on Flickr

[Guinessman]

Its probably my favourite Cheviot hill too. Great pics. Being a Westie owner love the pics of the wee hound!

[dav2930]

Great colours. Must visit the Cheviots one of these days, they look good. Love the photo of a windswept Hughie on the trig point - what a hero!

[trailmasher]

Damn it Anthony, looking at Hughie on the trig point you must get him some gaiters, have you no heart man Great report and decent set of pictures once again especially the 'early' morning shots, great stuff

Probably a wise decision not to carry on to the other two as the ground is quite horrendous in places

[johnkaysleftleg]

Its probably my favourite Cheviot hill too. Great pics. Being a Westie owner love the pics of the wee hound!

Cheers Guinnessman, I'll pass on your regards to Hughie

Great colours. Must visit the Cheviots one of these days, they look good. Love the photo of a windswept Hughie on the trig point - what a hero!

Cheers Dav, I've only had limited time in the Cheviots myself, certainty worth a visit.

Damn it Anthony, looking at Hughie on the trig point you must get him some gaiters, have you no heart man Great report and decent set of pictures once again especially the 'early' morning shots, great stuff

Probably a wise decision not to carry on to the other two as the ground is quite horrendous in places

Cheers TM, thing is Hughie is a little sensitive about his feet so if you want to try doggy boots on him be my guest, just remember to count your fingers afterwards

[Guinessman]

JKLL I keep getting drawn to your photograph of the " silence of the sea". What a superb photograph. Looking at at it I loose all sense of scale. It could be taken close in or equally from a low flying plane over a tree lined coastline. Fantastic photograph

[johnkaysleftleg]

JKLL I keep getting drawn to your photograph of the " silence of the sea". What a superb photograph. Looking at at it I loose all sense of scale. It could be taken close in or equally from a low flying plane over a tree lined coastline. Fantastic photograph

Thank you very much, It does mess with peoples heads this shot, many on Flickr thought it was a mist filled canyon and temperature inversion. Even though I took it I can't quite remember just how big the seaweed on the rocks was

[ChrisW]

Wow, some stunning shots there JK, just fantastic...as you might suspect that shot of hughie 'face to the wind' is by far my favourite he never looked so tough Your morning excursions are just wonderful mate, really great shots

[johnkaysleftleg]

Wow, some stunning shots there JK, just fantastic...as you might suspect that shot of hughie 'face to the wind' is by far my favourite he never looked so tough Your morning excursions are just wonderful mate, really great shots

Cheers Chris, I liked the shot of Hughie so much I even cloned out the lead.