Pinnacle Crag, Warton

Friday 5th August

My 1999 edition of Lancashire Rock is a British Mountaineering Council rock climbing guide. It weighs 1.36kgs, half again as heavy as my tent, and six times bigger than my camera, which sort of contravenes the established concept of a slim volume that can be slipped in the pocket or rucksack to take to the crag. Having said that it has the best collection of rock climbing photos I have seen anywhere.

Having left Bowland Climber to his own devices for three weeks while I was toiling on the SWCP, and following his recovery from a toe operation, he has reverted to his first passion of rock climbing. I met BC through Tony, BC being a friend of his. I climbed with Tony for seven years until he sadly died from cancer in 2003. On my return from my SWCP ups and downs BC invited me to go with two other old (well not as old as me) climbing friends, Rod and Dave, to Pinnacle Crag, Warton. My own climbing days are over - dodgy knees, and a bent Dupuytren contracture finger preventing finger jamming,  and a far too vivid imagination, but I knew there would be entertainment and a chance to get some photos, which is often missed when you are part of the action.

Back to the guide. When I looked at my own copy I found that I visited the crag on 30th April 2000 of which I had no recollection, and soloed two diffs. and one v. diff. (seems a lot of effort for those few minor conquests). I had arranged to meet the trio around midday at the crag and BC sent me directions from the newer edition:

"The crag is very difficult to find the first (or even the second and third) time...", then after more complicated instructions:

"Bear left and head through some scruffy scrub to find the crag skulking in some trees".

Whether or not I got lost is a secret, but there was no doubt that was expected judging from the guffaws as I happened upon these friends, not seeing them until I was within ten yards as I emerged from the jungle.  At first I watched them do a couple of routes shrouded in the shade of that jungle when elsewhere less active people were sensibly enjoying one of the best sunny days of the year. Fortunately we moved on to another area which was a sheltered oasis of sunshine amongst the trees, where we spent a pleasant and convivial day.

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For the trio:

Here is a link to Dropbox for all the photos.

CLICK HERE

  The photos on this post have all been reduced in file size,  I'm not sure about the ones in Dropbox but please contact me if you need any copies, help or whatever:

conrob@me.com

For RR

My reply to your comment on my most recent post: "Retrospective - Torquay to Shaldon" which needs illustrations, obviating a reply in the comments section.

I have drawn the approximate route I think you took based on the information in your post. It may not be accurate, but it will give the flavour, I reckon.

I have omitted your precise starting point on the map as an issue of security.

The stats for your route:

1.59 miles

Ascent: 13 ft

Descent: 58ft

A section of similar length taken from my SWCP profile

This graph is not really comparative with those on my post because it covers a much shorter distance, but you will notice the absence of steep troughs. Your route is undoubtedly better for the health than mine at our kind of ages.

Retrospective - Torquay to Shaldon

I wondered if I had been exaggerating about the severity of the last part of my SWCP walk from Torquay harbour to the ferry at Shaldon.

I plotted the route on Memory Map on OS 1:25

10.9 miles
4481ft. of ascent

Profile:

For comparison I selected another piece of coast with steep cliff contours from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Eyemouth with the same distance, and from the statistics for that one it wouldn't be taken lightly, but note the contrast - half as much ascent in the same distance.

Distance 11 miles
2249ft. of ascent

Profile:

South West Coast Path SLIDESHOW

I have now edited AND CAPTIONED  the photos from my 20 day Land's End to Exmouth walk.

There are 319 photos.

To view click the link below to Dropbox.

Click on the first photo thumbnail.

Select "Full screen" at the bottom.

I found that each photo needs about one second to avoid buffering before advancing to the next - this may vary for different computers.

CLICK FOR SLIDESHOW


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I have invented a little gizmo to deal with walking pole attachment to a rucksack. It applies if your rucksack has side pockets.

I cut off the top of a 500ml. plastic drinks bottle. To avoid problems with the sharp edge I put it briefly on my ceramic hob. The resulting object goes into the side pocket and poles can go in sharp edge down without damaging your rucksack.

My reason for this invention occurred on the train home. My poles were attached with sharp ends exposed, facing downwards. As I put my rucksack on in the train and swung round I nearly had somebody's eye out.

SWCP - Torquay to Exmouth

Tuesday 26th July (sadly my younger brother's birthday, now in a home with dementia)

My hotel did not do breakfast so at least I could have an early start. I have carried a plastic box from home containing Tuc cheese biscuits and so often had thought of ditching them to save weight but after three weeks of being toted round the south coast they came into their own. That was also a Baby Bell cheese remaining from a gifted packed lunch from one of my B and B hosts. Fortunately there was a good supply of tea bags and those horrid little milk cartons in the room so at least I had something to start on.

So I was off by 6.50 (am!).

From there the path to Teignmouth was as tough as anything I have ever walked. That may be incorrect, but memories dim about certain sections of the GR10. Every time I slogged up a very steep, rough path there's was no relief, just over the top and back down again (I don't know how many times). I was able to assimilate the topography, and so often it seemed the path could have been run round the rim of the intrusive cliff instead of plunging down, and climbing up its sides. The general effect of all this, apart from huge physical exertion is demoralisation. I suppose the problem is in obtaining permissive paths across private land?

From there onwards there were a few other onerous flights of un-ergonomic steps to get me to Chaldon and the ferry crossing to Teignmouth. The boat was just leaving and they stopped and re-extended the gangplank and across I went. The Blue Café, a little wooden hut on the harbour wall, had a jokey proprietor referring to my walking poles, " have you been skiing then?" I told him what I had been doing, (and some), and his attitude changed saying that he would like to do the SWCP himself, hmm!

From Teignmouth there was a road diversion not signed then more switchback stuff on overgrown and uneven paths whose description was the same as the aforementioned to arrive at. Dawlish. Both those sections gave little in the way of views, mainly passing through woodland.

From Dawlish there was a long seafront concrete walkway bonus to Dawlish Warrens and the turn north for mainly uninspiring road/cycle track walking to Stracross and the ferry to Exmouth.

All In all a disappointing finish to a splendid, challenging walk with scenery to rival any other south of the Scottish border.

I have e just finished eating in the Manor Hotel. There was a coach party in and the four corse dinner menu fixed at £15.95 was rattled through by a bevy of staff so the coachers could enjoy the forthcoming "entertainment" in the bar as announced during the course of the meal - it was going to be some guy telling "clean" jokes. I retired to my room to finish this.

Much has been said about my appreciation or otherwise of this trip, and I would say that it has been more of a challenge than a holiday. This morning I was in much pain with my ankle/foot and as far as I can remember this has been one of the toughest walks I have done which at my age may be said to have been a bad idea. Anybody who walks the whole 650 miles of this path in one none-stop trip has my profoundness admiration, and I mean that more sincerely than anything else I remember saying recently.




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SWCP - Brixham to Torquay

Monday 25th July

In Brixham harbour there is an exact replica of Drake's Golden Hind in which he circumnavigated. Even though a replica it had me choked thinking of the hardships and the shear scale of achievement in such an unsuitable vessel. It seems like a toy.

This was said to be an easy section. After some road to start with it was off into the woods. There were unsigned paths everywhere and I got off course doing another massive descent to a beach with its corresponding ascent up steps that have no connection with human ergonomics - generally half as high again as your household version with varying distances in between. They are really barriers to stop further erosion.

After that walking was easy along the promenades of Goodrington and Paignton but in uncomfortable heat. Fortunately there were always stops for refreshment.

I arrived at Torquay TIC wanting them to find accommodation to the north but they had nothing to offer. They only cater for clients who register with them and it seems few do, I suspect because it costs. I decided to follow the path and take my chance. Again there were ascents and descents on the path and I battled on in the heat. At a bout 3:00pm I took to the road to find accommodation without taking too much notice and then found that I was not far off Torquay harbour where I had started from, having done a semi-circle.

I force marched back in the other direction, and not far from the Torquay suburb of Babbacombe I found the posh Ansteys Lea Hotel. They don't do one nighters but I was persuasive and got a full ensuite with a bed like a rugby pitch, but no breakfast for £40 - that's part of the enjoyment: using one's experience and communication skills to achieve the objective.

I am now eating in a gastro pub a couple of hundred yards away.

Tomorrow I hope to finish my SWCP section at Exmouth and have decided to settle for that. I had intended to go inland, north to connect with the Macmillan Way, Barnstaple /Castle Cary route and follow that to Castle Cary. That would take another week, and I think I have become addicted to B and B etc. accommodation in preference to the tent and I must draw the line somewhere on cost. AND, now here is a real whinge : yesterday and today I have developed a painful left ankle, enough to spoil ENJOYMENT. It is ok on flat surfaces, but even on lumpy woodland paths it is a problem. The heat, most of the time has been uncomfortable, and I think I am due for a rest. After what has been said in recent comments I HAVE enjoyed myself and am not deterred from future ventures, although I may well kick out the camping equipment - there is always a way.

I have a caravan booking in Torridon , Scotland before the end of August so watch this space. There will be local walks from home in the meantime. So, a final post for this trip to come tomorrow.



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SWCP - East Prawle to Stoke Fleming

SOMEHOW THIS NEVER GOT POSTED FOR LAST SATURDAY. IT WAS WRITTEN IN BLOGPRESS BUT OBVIOUSLY FAILED TO SEND

Saturday 23rd July

The Pig's Nose renewed its eccentricity credentials last night. After I had posted on the blog I went to pay my bill at the bar. A Lakeland Terrier was sat at the bar on its own stool lapping up a half pint of beer.

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Today was a 14 miler ( tops for me these days). The bonus was that it was supposed to be mainly flat. That turned out to be erroneous apart from the walk round Start Bay following Slapton Sands and Slapton Mere. A section before Bee Sands was one of the rockiest narrow paths I can remember anywhere - it was like switchback miniature boulder hopping in a narrow gully overgrown with bracken on both sides.

The approach to Start Point was increasingly dramatic on some narrow cliff edge paths with a fair amount of ascent up to the final ridge when a Tarmac road over the ridge leading round to the lighthouse took away some of the drama. The view of Start Bay was spectacular, a huge almost perfectly circular area of blue sea with my destination visible many miles away on the other side. That view would go into my top hundred.

The forecast was for circa 19 degrees but it was more like 30. I really toiled and sweated all day drinking several bottles of water, two Fantas and a tea stop.

I had decided to camp at the Camping and Caravan Club site but on arrival at Stoke Fleming I found the adjacent pub marked on the OS map no longer exists. I was heading for a camp site in the village when a restaurant/ bar attached to a large caravan/chalet/holiday home site appeared. I asked if they had any accommodation and the guy let me have a chalet bungalow at a knockdown price and I was able to eat at the restaurant. The meal was a concoction thought up by a chef with ideas but no skill or gift for combining ingredients and some of the stuff was only only half warm. Background music was piercing pop but the decor suggested something more sophisticated. Another place pretending to be what it isn't.

I bought some tea bags, milk, and a tin of rice pudding for my breakfast and intend to set off early to get to Brixham in time to find somewhere to stay. Internet couldn't find anything suitable and I had come to the end of my patience with the awful music. I am back st my chalet now having written most of this back here.

It has been a hard, sweat dripping day and I am well tired. I don't think this will go with only 3G but I'll try.

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