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Dartmoor Beyond Sensible, Plympton (2026)

02/09/2025

Finding another route?
It's hard to imagine there appears to be only 20 crosses marked on 1:25000 OS map.
None of them further North than Widgery Cross?

Come on, tell me I'm wrong!

12/10/2024

Above or below sea level !!!
Just below Belliver Tor on a stone wall.
A few hours spent looking for mushrooms and lichen.
Oh and a few ponies thrown in for good measure 🤣

12/09/2024

If only I knew where he was going. Could save him a whole lot of effort 🤣

09/09/2024

Straight out of the groomers looking very pleased with themselves!

30/08/2024

4th Thursday attempt, to walk in some nice weather and we're off! Looked threatening but turned out to be a great day.
Looking for track options around Terr and Skir Hills. Sandy Pass track is easy to follow once you have made your way from Coombestone car park, past the cross and through the tin workings. A simple visible track will take you the whole way.
Most of Sandy Pass is easy but in a couple of places it does tend to blend with the terrain.
On the outward journey the track was followed as per map around an unamed hill and then sheep tracks to Ter Hill. Stay patient and follow a straight line once you set your bearing, the crosses appear last minute as you breech the ridge.
Getting to Skir Hill is a little trickier from Ter Hill. A visible track takes you toward the girt. A few options were attempted. From a challenge perspective locating cattle tracks in and out of the girt is the quickest approach.
The terrain from Skir hill back to Sandy Pass is very wet and boggy in places and would take a while. So, from a time and effort perspective it's best in my view to back track to the track before you enter the girt.
The track is roughly between the two hills and as fortune has it goes all the way back to Sandy Pass.
Considering all options the homeward tracks would also provide an easy outbound route between the hills. From there a quick yomp left and right to the hills would see this section completed.
Still taking a good couple of hours it has the potential of knocking an hour off the originally planned route.
I might just revisit to check specific tracks and times at a later date.
Largely a comfortable walk that also skirts the Avon river head. A large sunken plateau area threatening to suck any unwary walkers into the depths of its boggy ground.
I also noticed tracks leading down from Ryder's Hill not previously walked which could shave another small amount of time from any schedule.

23/08/2024

Dartmoor Beyond Sensible (Unfinished Business) - Walk 3
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Distance 18.5 km
Total trip time 7 hrs 0 mins
Average Trip Speed 2.3 km/hr
Time Moving 4 hrs 30 mins
Average Moving Speed 4.4 km/hr
Weather Foggy/rain turning cloudy/dry
Wind Windy (Gusting 35mph)
Temperature 13 degrees C
Visibility Poor turning good
Calories Burned 1199

Route Avon Dam car park, Dam, Brockhill Stream, Shipley Tor, Grippers Hill, Avon Dam car park.

Another foggy Thursday. Three in a row, what’s going on.
Well, this will be a day to test the waterproof gear again. I had my trusty gear and Dave had a new jacket! I’ll keep my eye on that one to see if it beats mine! Arcteryx v Montane. Similar in design and price.
It also provided perfect weather to see if a new poncho would work. As I have been less than convinced in my gear performance lately, I suited up with the usual and then dropped a poncho over the lot. Would this give the added protection from the elements? I would put up with looking a bit of a twit if it works.

The purpose of this not so little circular as it turned out was to establish if there is a route to Shipley Tor, without having to undertake a near on su***de mission through gorse and bracken to reach it. Plus, to do the same to reach Grippers Hill. I’m more confident with the latter.

As the weather was basically pants, we decided to walk up the road to the dam and then follow the edge of the reservoir until we reached Brockhill Stream intersecting the Abbots Way. The original idea was to follow the track and walk over Grippers Hill toward Shipley Tor. So, having later found on the GPS the Abbots Way track marked doesn’t really show itself on the ground we ended up following the well-trodden track that happened to be the boundary line.
Bearing in mind it was absolutely tipping it down at this point with poor visibility walking on instinct may not have been the best decision! However, there was a clear fail-safe catchpoint. The wall running the edge of the access land.
We did however identify the track of the boundary line crossing the side of Grippers Hill and started walking. Realising this would make the walk rather short we back tracked and followed the field system wall that would, if followed all the way, take us to Shipley Tor.

The weather still throwing its worst at us. It seemed an eternity had past while we trundled along the wall, looking for identification markers to establish just how far we had travelled. Past one footpath off the moor but it wasn’t until we reached Skerraton Gate that we could positively confirm our position. Of course, we had an idea but it felt like we had walked further than this point.
That allowed us to identify a sheltered lunch spot in the tress at the start of a bridle path a short distance further on.

After lunch the weather changed as forecast to no rain, and clear visibility. Which was just as well.
Between us and Dockwell Farm was the Harbourne stream and Dockwell Hole. A big contoured re-entrance with a big boggy plateau area where the stream disappears into Dockwell Plantation. Following the wall here was not an option and the break in the weather allowed us to identify and follow a few sheep tracks through an otherwise difficult piece of terrain.

Then a simple walk to the footpath gate from the access land through Dockwell farm.
This is the starting point from which to establish if I could ever find a relatively straight forward route to Shipley Tor. From my previous experience I knew I needed to stay away from the wall to avoid another bracken war. With our backs to the corner of the wall just up from the footpath gate a number of open green areas were visible. The decision, to try and link up a number of these and follow sheep/cattle tracks between them and see how close to the tor it would take us. Well, we managed pretty well with minimal impact from the gorse or bracken with the bonus of walking an almost straight line. Spotting the tor, and some minor inconvenience of clitter hidden in bracken, a short left turn down the hill to Shipley Tor. Brilliant. I so wish I had worked this out in advance of my challenge! Would have saved an hour bracken bashing! Oh well, live and learn!

One of the two objectives accomplished.
Now to try the same to Grippers Hill. Last outing I hung left of Peathy’s Path and walked straight into gorse and bracken. This time jumping between tracks and open spaces we hung right. The results were just as pleasing. Much easier and landed us on the wide track following the boundary line up to Grippers Hill. Just one quick detour though. Looking straight ahead there appears to be two hills. Grippers Hill and one to the right, this one is not named on the OS map and could easily be mistaken for Grippers Hill if you’re not paying attention. It was also difficult to reconcile the map contours and the ground on the approach. We decided to head for the cairn on this unnamed hill. It’s not until you get part way up the hill the map contours reveal themselves and start to make more sense. A good area to test your navigation skills for sure.
A quick hop across to the boundary track around Grippers Hill before following our outbound route back to the car park.

How did the gear test work out? Dave stayed very dry in his jacket which is promising. The jury is out on the poncho. It kind of worked and definitely helped keep the bag dry and the top half of the jacket. Now concluding the damp inside must be down to condensation. However, the inside of the poncho was very wet. But the waist area to below the trouser pockets still got wet. Don’t ask me how. Is it worth carrying the 500 grams of poncho versus the benefit. Right now, possibly not.

A successful mission finding better routes but the question remains. Could I find these in thick fog? With nothing on the OS map to head for it may well be challenging. Right boot is still leaking! Doh!

17/08/2024

Dartmoor Beyond Sensible (Unfinished Business) - Walk 2
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Distance 13.5 km
Total trip time 5 hrs 30 mins
Average Trip Speed 2.8 km/hr
Time Moving 3 hrs 15 mins
Average Moving Speed 4.2 km/hr
Weather Foggy, Rain
Wind Windy (Gusting 35mph)
Temperature 19 degrees C
Visibility Very Poor
Calories Burned 893

Route Nuns Cross, Fox Tor, Mount Misery, Ter Hill and return.

Another foggy Thursday. Two in a row now!
A surprising distance for what appeared to be a relatively short hop on the map.
There was no doubt about what we were going to wear when we arrived at the car park above Nun’s Cross Farm. Rolling fog, windy and raining. However, on a good sunny day with clear visibility, this is a perfect walk into some more challenging terrain on Dartmoor for those who are starting to build their confidence to move away from provided tracks and paths.

From Nuns Cross continue along the track uphill for approximately 600m to an old boundary wall visible on both sides of the track. It is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it! Once identified and looking left of the track you can see the extended line of an old wall. It looks more like a mound of earth and by and large it is visible the whole of the wall as marked on the map. To double check your position you should also see a clear boundary wall on the right of the path.

Due to the weather the extended view disappeared into the fog after 50m, but still enough to locate and follow it. Provided you maintain the line and view along the wall/mound you can’t go too far wrong. Despite small sections of the wall flattening out it’s not difficult. But if you don’t concentrate at these points you could walk through them and in the wrong direction.

Keep walking until you reach an old cross. Which now looks like a standing stone due to the two arms of the cross having disappeared. You should be able to see this in the distance on approach. Unless of course as today it is shrouded in fog. At this point as more fog rolled in, along with rain and wind, a bearing was required. Those tenuous tracks all but invisible.
As is becoming my habit I put the compass away and decided to see how close I could get to Fox Tor by trying to keep the bearing line. Well, that didn’t last long as we run into a herd of cows requiring a wide and semi-circular detour.
Luckily, they appeared to have just one thing on their minds as they stomp across in front of us with great purpose. To find shelter from the wind and rain. Below the tor and in the girt seemed to be the best place for cover as we later past them by, but with a greater distance between us.

Walking back up the hill to an estimated height and turning left on the predicted line that would land us on Fox Tor. How safe was this strange activity? Well, there were known catchpoints. Below the tor we would either hit a wall, walk into clitter or even further on reach a stream. So pretty much boxed in to trigger a rethink. Above the tor we would most likely walk into the girt. Or, if we were really off to the right of the tor come across Blacklane. I felt we had all bases covered.

If the line was good, we would come across an outcrop, followed by a stream crossing before reaching Fox Tor. Not the perfect line until we reached the stream. As I haven’t got the greatest memory it always surprises me how much I remember areas of the moor. Immediately recognising a crossing point it allowed for a resetting of direction, not much, but enough to enable a straight line up to Fox Tor to be achieved. Happy days!

Still a miserable day. But weirdly, I was having a great time. So much easier to walk and navigate than in those earlier stonking hot days. I can only assume you get so distracted by finding your way in the fog that everything else melts away. The low temperature really helps though.
Lunch time. Just enough space behind the tor for two to take cover for lunch. Walking speed and average trip speed were pretty acceptable too. Back to the walking it became evident just how much shelter we had behind the tor. Stepping out the wind and rain had quite an impact.

Having time on the clock we decided to walk up to the three crosses on the way and on Terr Hill. Somewhere Dave hadn’t been before. Carefully picking our way through the girt and across the river Swincombe, an easy one to cross at this point, a simple job of following the wall up hill to Mount Misery. And today it was definitely miserable. Just the two crosses on Ter Hill to go. There is a visible track but a bearing was taken just in case the track wandered off the hill. On a good day you’ll see the first cross way before you reach it. A couple of pics and about turn to retrace our tracks to Fox Tor. Another quick coffee stop before heading back to the cross on the boundary wall we past on the way out. Still very windy and foggy with rain sweeping across the hill it was time for another “let’s go this way” and see how close to the cross we can get!

At this point I did use the compass. Mainly to avoid dropping down the hill which most people have a tendency to do. We didn’t do too badly, just left of the corner of the boundary wall system leaving a short walk to the cross. There are a few options to reach Nuns Cross farm. Follow the boundary wall back to the main track then the farm. Or, pick one of the tracks right to the farm, the first available at the cross. A couple further along the boundary wall. We opted for the third track that took us to the gate at the farm. From here a simple walk along a track to where we parked the car. Enjoyable, wet and windy! I can never make up my mind if the waterproofs make me wet through condensation or leaking. Jacket again quite damp/wet. Trousers wet at the waist but otherwise dry. Boots, well, again breached way before they wear out. Disappointing.

Providing you don’t cross the wall system on the left of the route and definitely avoid Fox Tor Mire. Avoid walking over Crane Hill, and stay low. Backtrack to the wall if you miss the crosses at Terr Hill. I would say this is a relatively safe place to practice some medium level navigation. You can’t go too far wrong as long as you know and recognise your catchpoints. BUT, for the first time, definitely do it in good weather.

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13/08/2024

Dartmoor Beyond Sensible (Unfinished Business) - Walk 1
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Distance 11.5 km
Total trip time 4 hrs 30 mins
Average Trip Speed 2.8 km/hr
Time Moving 3 hrs 0 mins
Average Moving Speed 4.0 km/hr
Weather Foggy
Wind Gentle Breeze/windy
Temperature 17 degrees C
Visibility Very Poor
Calories Burned Not many!

Route Pork Hill car park, Staple Tor, Merrivale Quarry, Grimstone Head Weir, Langstone Moor, Cox Tor, car park

A gentle stroll as my first walk post challenge attempt. Ona good summers day and good visibility this is a great area to stroll around. With lots to find. Unfortunately, we picked one of the less spectacular days for weather if it’s a sunny day you’re after. A heavy rolling fog with intermittent heavy bursts of rain.
To me a stroll means just head off in a general direction until I find a marker or something interesting to follow! So, when we made it to Staple Tor and weaved our way between the clitter, rather unprofessionally, we ended up on the track to Merrivale quarry. Meaning, we did a bit of a circular around Staple Tor. Oops!
No matter, we were hardly likely to get lost.
The track to the quarry is a very easy one to walk and follow that takes you to the edge of the quarry and an old boundary wall, marked on the map. This also turned out to be very easy to follow using the sheep tracks alongside it, until we reached the field system. It’s a habit now that we stop early for coffee or lunch so making use of the wall as it bent toward the river, we took shelter from the slightly breezy wind for a break.

The leat taken from the river at Grimstone Wier appeared very close, closer than the map appeared to indicate. I may even measure it next time! For ease of walking, it was back to the boundary wall and continued to follow the sheep tracks.
It’s easy going until you reach a small gulley marked on the map. From here, while not difficult, just needs some care. The tracks winds around following the river until you come to a line of MOD poles.
The intent was to follow these up to the head of a stream that looks to feed the Colly Brook. I’m not sure if the moor is holding water now but once past the second pole the terrain quickly becomes very boggy. And, it’s quite an expanse. You can pick your way through, very carefully, across the area as you bounce on the tick carpet of bog. However, getting roughly half way in we decided we had ridden our luck and set a direction to the corner of the field system on the way back to Cox Tor.

With no visibility, 25 yards, the test was to see how close to the corner we could get based on pure instinct! Heading off we hit the wall about 150 meters from the corner. Not bad!
The rest of the walk navigationally was very easy. Follow the wall to the road, swing left around the base of Cox Tor and back to the car park. The weather was bad enough to test the waterproof gear again. Jacket held up, small water ingress on the trousers but nothing serious. Breech on the right boot, not very happy about that!

Although in very familiar territory it was a comfortable stroll. But it would be much better in good weather. One that pretty much anyone could walk.

10/08/2024

Time to put the disappointment to bed!
The summary

I’ve had a great supporting response from everyone, and it’s so much appreciated. I know a lot of people have great experience of Dartmoor and completely get how events can unfold and the consequences of making poor choices.
Looking back, it feels very odd that one minute I was hiking the moor and the next I’m sat at home wondering what the heck just happened. For those starting to explore Dartmoor and gain confidence to hike and wild camp, it demonstrates just how quickly events can change. And while undertaking any hike or distance walk you need to be fully focused and concentrating the whole time. You can’t take your eye off the ball. This alone can be tiring.

If I’m totally up front, even I didn’t totally interpret the forecast and identify it as the high risk it turned out to be. I guess my saving grace was I took the right action at the right time. So, a lesson learned. You must also take an objective and independent approach when you review outcomes. Despite the preparation and the derisking it just proves that maybe you don’t capture it all. I accept that there is a point in planning that you just have to go with what you have and deal with impacts as they occur. There is always an element of risk, otherwise what’s the point of a challenge. As I continue to highlight. Every challenge carries the risk of failure. Otherwise, it’s not a challenge!

Putting aside the peripheral impacts like lack of sleep, cramps and messing up my ankle, the bottom line is, the heat and humidity killed the attempt. Unfortunately, I have a body make up that just can’t take that kind of heat punishment. That I just have to accept.
In order to move on you have to go through a process. I use my version of the Kubler-Ross change curve.
Shock
Denial
Frustration
Acceptance
Decision
Action
Implement
Whatever happens it is highly likely that everyone will go through these emotions at some point.

However, I still wanted to further understand how the impact of heat and humidity played out such a devastating impact. This, if you are not aware, may prove to be a crucial piece of information before setting off, or helping to identify incoming challenges.
The National Weather Service is an agency of the United States federal government. One of its jobs is to provide a heat index. While this is used in the United States the information is relevant to any area I believe.

It’s a simple table to provide a quick reference to the level of risk/danger you may face based on heat and humidity. In my case when the challenge started the heat was forecast to reach up to 30 degrees Celsius and humidity up to 98%.
Using the chart 29 to 30 degrees Celsius and humidity above 90% placed me in the zones of extreme caution and danger. This represents the opportunity of succumbing to sun/heat exhaustion and potentially leading to heat stroke. The time between overheating and heat stroke in the right conditions can happen very quickly.
Drinking lots of water will help but it won’t necessarily prevent heat exhaustion/stroke.

Despite the training, the optimism, determination and desire to succeed. No matter how tough or resilient you think you are. You need to be very alert when the conditions align between heat and humidity. The chances are it will have an impact on you.
How did I recognise things were starting to go downhill?
Slowing down and taking longer to walk distances.
Cramps.
More tired than usual.
Wanting to stop and sit down more than usual. Beyond the scheduled stops.
Losing concentration and sticking my foot in a ditch. I’m sure this wouldn’t have happened if I was more alert.
But most importantly, I started to miss capture points and overshoot target points on the map. I recognised I had done so eventually but the fact my concentration was going was proving to be an issue.
The fact these were all hitting at the same time suddenly started to have an impact.

It’s difficult when planning a hike over such a long distance and period to manage the impact of heat exhaustion/stroke. Knowing and accepting how your body will react in these conditions will help. Keeping on top of forecasts if there is the potential for extreme temperatures. Reduce the walking distance and allow recovery of lost time. Plan a route, if possible, that will provide shade if required along with secure water sources. Stay in tune with your body and closely monitor your behaviour and ability to function.
I have been close to trouble in the past and taken, some would say, very odd ways to check my status. I even videoed myself to check my speech wasn’t slurring when I suspected becoming hypothermic. Strange maybe, but use any means possible to stay ahead of potential life-threatening issues!

You may have your own interpretation of this and that’s fine. But don’t let this put you off! We are talking pretty extreme here. But, be aware, be prepared and don’t ignore the signs. Make the right decisions at the right time and you’ll have many great walks, hikes or challenges.

Looking out of the window with the rain falling with temperatures around 19 degrees and humidity at 89%. This not even making it onto the heat index table. It already it seems a distant memory.

In the mean time please keep sharing, liking and following the page. The story still has a few chapters to come. I’ll continue to log my walks and keep you updated on Dartmoor Beyond Sensible.

10/08/2024

Time to put the disappointment to bed!
Part 3

Another sleepless night. Even the effects of the walking and weather wasn’t enough to knock me out. Some unusual cramps, contemplating if I pick up Ter and Skir hill, considering if there is an easier route and some very strange noises outside the tent. Urgh!

06:30 seems to be the norm to be ready to walk. Breaking camp never seems to speed up as I painstakingly pack the bag. I’d probably have something to moan about if it was raining. Largely as my tent despite being a 2 man one, is a very small size. Really only big enough for one in my opinion. I need a different tent. And a very much lighter one.
A quick walk to Sandy Pass on my way to Bench Tor. The sun was already starting to poke its face over the hill, with the inevitable heat it wanted to throw over the landscape like a thermal blanket.
I could hear a lot of noise while breaking camp. Like many herds of cows heading to a cow convention. They almost sounded liked they had been spooked by something. As I approached the pass confirmation of my suspicion. I’ve never seen so many in one place. I counted around forty five before I got bored and planted my foot firmly into a ditch as I made a very wide circular detour round them. Immediately distracted from the cows all attention focused on my ankle. Weirdly it didn’t feel massively painful but something didn’t feel right. Since I fractured it, it’s not the best looking foot! Some nice shades of blue, calcium build up making it lumpy, you get the idea. A strange aching and some awkward pain suddenly made walking very difficult. Particularly with the weight.

Whatever was happening it was all coming in at the same time. Waking up really not feeling great, now this and falling well behind schedule while missing out two hills I suddenly had a wave of failure looming over me. So early in the challenge it was hard to accept. I had to sit down and carefully consider options here. Could I carry on and try to make up time. If it’s not happening this early in the hike, would it be too risky to continue. Only to bail later after all. It took a couple of hours to make that awful decision. With the forecast predicting days ahead of busting heat and humidity I had to concede the unthinkable.
Due to the wide detour of the cows, looking up I had Combestone Tor in the distance. The challenge melting away in the heat already building so early in the day.

No one wants to admit they are in trouble. First rule for correct decision making for me is to remove all emotion, all external pressure points, any potential backlash and of course the potential of ego taking a grip. I have to work with the basic facts and the risks set against the bigger picture. Decisions must be made with a sound mind and being physically capable of taking action where required. This is the point I must make my decision.
With Combestone Tor in the near distance and a visible straight forward track weaving down to it, I succumbed to the best option. Get myself off the moor while I can and pull out of the challenge. It felt like a long miserable walk to the tor, hanging my head in defeat. This was definitely not in my well planned challenge.

It was a very sombre wait as I digested what I had just decided while waiting for my pickup. It was hard to process. But it was all over. The call had been made and there was no going back. It felt like the right decision at the time but as the hours and days past the what ifs flooded my head. Far from the success of three years ago on that mammoth solo, unsupported success. Here I am tasting failure.
Failure is just delayed success I keep telling myself.
As good old Winston Churchill said “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

So, let the training begin again, review the route, refine the pack, strive to be mentally stronger. It’s not over yet!

10/08/2024

Time to put the disappointment to bed
Part 2

No sleep. Incredibly I could hear the trains and traffic passing Ivybridge on a far too regular basis. The heat of the day failing to fade during the night. Can’t believe how much yesterday took out of me. Do I put this down to age or is the weather really this punishing?

Packed and walking by 06:30. I need to crack on before it gets hot again. Forecast predicting hotter than yesterday! Making a slight change of route I went for a straight line to Quickbeam hill, pick up the boundary track, and the tramway back to Shipley, ticking off Zeal hill and Black tor. A bit longer but easier terrain. Roughly 8km / 2 hours. By the time I picked up the tramway around 07:30 it must have been hitting 21 degrees. Yesterday’s effort was hitting home already.
Leaving the relative shade of Shipley car park the lane to Brent hill was hot and frustrating. A sudden surge of cars and vans met and blocked the way leaving me to stand and wait while they, in their air-conditioned vehicles decided who would blink first and be forced to reverse. Always amazes me how poor drivers are at reversing! Shade at last up a small track to Brent hill only to be tormented by horse flies and other blood sucking insects chancing their luck on this very sweaty and salty skinned dinner plate.
Back into the heat past Bloody Pool Cross to a footpath back to the access moor.
I needed another break. Before the assault on Shipley tor, another hour, a litre of water and several snacks.

Today I declared there is no easy route to Shipley tor in the summer. What should have been a relatively easy walk following the boundary wall delivered another assault through bracken and gorse. A mere 1 km that took almost an hour. What was worse, within head height bracken and the wall to my left it was stiflingly hot. Bouncing off the white stones and absorbed by the bracken there was no escape as my body temperature began to rise. I could feel my energy draining away. I felt like a fraud. Here I am attempting 350 miles and could barely fight my way to location number sixteen, barely 26 miles in.
With temperatures expected to hit near 30 degrees and humidity set to hit 97% it is about to get brutal. Another break at Shipley tor for 30 minutes, hunkering down in whatever shade I could find. At least the views are pretty good

Departing the tor, another fight with the bracken. Across Dockwell Ridge and Peathy’s Path to Grippers Hill. Although not as tall the bracken and gorse was extensive making a straight line impossible. Finally, a track up the hill and around to Brockhill Stream feeding Avon Dam reservoir. This should have been a relative stroll but as the heat bore down there was nowhere to hide. Another easy track to the bottom of Hickaton Hill. Well, it should have been. No one in sight, I wonder why, apart from a herd of cows blocking the path. Any breeze in this valley had gone and previous concerns over cows evaporated as I pushed my way through practically shoving them aside. I was not diverting around them in this heat! It was so hot even they were only interested in water or shade and were happy to take a slap on the bum to move them off the track. It all felt a bit weird!
I wanted to reach the base of Hickaton Hill and find some shade against the wall but with the sun shining the length of the wall there was nothing. Pushing myself up against the only shade in the area, a small pillar, housing an old pipe that use to span the river. The path to this point even going downhill was tiring, it was getting so, so hot. Sweat was dripping off me almost as fast as I was drinking water again. It all sounds very dramatic, but this is really tough going. I needed another good hour to get the body temperature down, take on water, another litre, coffee and a packet lunch time meal.
The next leg was going to take some effort.

360 to 515 meter climb to Ryders Hill. It’s not a huge distance but once again in the heat and humidity it proved to be punishing. Setting a target of 5pm to reach Ryders Hill I thought it might give me enough time to grab Terr and Skir Hill before camp, a mere six kilometre loop. There were plenty of stops on the way! Snowden to Ryders Hill was surprisingly very wet and boggy. With the dry spell I didn’t expect it and took a while to pick my way through to avoid sinking over my boots. What I didn’t expect was to roll my ankle.
Luckily in the softer ground it wasn’t too bad. I’ve done it before and decided to walk it off.
Determined to make a 5pm arrival, a last surge to get to Ryders Hill. I was very surprised that I had made it by 5pm. A great result. But at what price.
If I continued to bag the two hills, I estimated up to another three hours walking. I was done for the day and just couldn’t muster the energy to tackle them. They will have to wait until the morning. Do I bag them or drop them to hold the scheduled time.

Decision, head for camp. After another 11.5 hours hiking that should have taken 9 hours, I was ready to crash again. Pitched by 6pm and waited for the sun to drop behind the hill and the temperature to drop. In my dreams! Now, for some reason when I pitched the tent, I zipped it up while eating dinner. No idea why, but as I turned to bed in at an outrageous time of 8.30pm I was barred from entering the tent. A swarm of flying ants descended covering the tent while I had my back turned eating dinner. It was around 10.30pm before they decided to go to ground. So much for an early night.
As nice as it was gazing across the moor in unusually fantastic weather, I just wanted to sleep!

Dartmoor Beyond Sensible

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