T'up yonder hill

The Yorkshire three peaks consist of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough and the circuit is based over 25 miles. The aim is to make it round in less than twelve hours which is pretty doable if you can just keep going!

The Yorkshire dales are stunning even with the inevitable downpour every now and then and I spotted some notable bits of wildlife along the way.

By the time Pen-y-ghent had been conquered I’d seen some curlews, lapwings and what I swear blind was a hen harrier but I have an active imagination and I’m no ornithologist. The view from the summit, of moorland mottled with shadows cast by fast moving clouds, was a big boost.

Ribbleshead viaduct by Mark Fletcher CC Flickr

After one too many Mars bars (or Aldi’s equivalent) the second peak was a bit of a slog but we got to admire the Ribbleshead viaduct and a couple of dippers flitting around a rain swollen stream on the way. We ate our lunch at the top on a spongy cushion of sphagnum moss while treated to another amazing view.

The approach to Ingleborough, the final peak, was across lowland peatbog and the variety of lichens and stunted plants either side of our boardwalk slowed me down as I stooped for examination.  

After a near vertical ascent, gale force winds met us at the top but the view - by all accounts - was the best of the day.

Birds eye primrose by naturalhistoryman CC Flickr

Our sense of achievement was dampened by the final ‘5 miles’. I write ‘5 miles’ because that’s what the sign said, but it felt more like 50! The limestone pavement looked pretty cool though and the flora on the way kept me interested; with birds eye primroses and marsh orchids taking the prize, in my book, for best species' of the day .

Marsh orchid by Tom Blackwell CC Flickr

Walk over, a pint was in order.  

Have you been on any adventure's recently? I'd love to hear about them.