Our friend JP, who died in February, specified in his will that his ashes be scattered on the summit of Great Whernside at sunset on Mid-Winter's Eve to join his late "animal", Dobbin Mk I, whose skull was interred up there many years ago.
As the date is now approaching today (27th October 2013) we went out to reccy the route and take some pictures so this is our report to give others an idea what they might be letting themselves in for.
With any luck the weather will be slightly kinder than it was today when we had gale force winds driving stinging rain into our faces.
Driving out of Kettlewell we took the Coverdale road which climbs steeply out of the village, then levels out for a mile or so before climbing again round hairpins on gradients as steep as you will find anywhere in the country. This is Park Rash, one of JP's renowned cycle challenges.
At the top of the climb just over a cattle grid the road runs onto open moorland where there is space to park ready for the ascent.
Park here.
The sign says "Great Whernside 1 ½ miles"
To start with the route is fairly level heading out across open moorland with some very frisky highland cattle following closely.
In places it's very boggy underfoot.
Then there's about 250m of ascent, steep and rough in places, to get to the broad (windswept) summit ridge.
After gaining the ridge there's still the best part of a mile of fairly level but rough walking to the summit trig point. The wind today was so strong that we called it a day after getting to the ridge, turning back before the summit, but at least we were able to descend in daylight on this occasion.
The weather was particularly foul today and chances are it won't be so bad on 21st December, though of course it could be worse, and descent in fading light or darkness will be interesting. If it is misty as well route finding will be challenging.
Essential kit is waterproof footwear with good tread, waterproof jacket with hood, hat, gloves, torch (preferably a headtorch), warm clothing (base layers and fleeces are good), daysack, waterproof overtrousers are strongly recommended and essential if the weather is as it was today. Trekking poles may be helpful. In wet weather jeans are not recommended.
The distance there and back is roughly three miles with about 300m (1000ft) of ascent, which may not sound like a lot, but this is a serious mountain walk at altitude. It's likely to take 1½ - 2 hours (ish) depending on the party. For the Mid-Winter's Eve expedition everything depends on the weather on the day. If it's clear and dry with light winds you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.
In gale force winds and driving rain or sleet in the dark and mist you'll know what the fuss was about....
To start with the route is fairly level heading out across open moorland with some very frisky highland cattle following closely.
In places it's very boggy underfoot.
Then there's about 250m of ascent, steep and rough in places, to get to the broad (windswept) summit ridge.
After gaining the ridge there's still the best part of a mile of fairly level but rough walking to the summit trig point. The wind today was so strong that we called it a day after getting to the ridge, turning back before the summit, but at least we were able to descend in daylight on this occasion.
The weather was particularly foul today and chances are it won't be so bad on 21st December, though of course it could be worse, and descent in fading light or darkness will be interesting. If it is misty as well route finding will be challenging.
Essential kit is waterproof footwear with good tread, waterproof jacket with hood, hat, gloves, torch (preferably a headtorch), warm clothing (base layers and fleeces are good), daysack, waterproof overtrousers are strongly recommended and essential if the weather is as it was today. Trekking poles may be helpful. In wet weather jeans are not recommended.
The distance there and back is roughly three miles with about 300m (1000ft) of ascent, which may not sound like a lot, but this is a serious mountain walk at altitude. It's likely to take 1½ - 2 hours (ish) depending on the party. For the Mid-Winter's Eve expedition everything depends on the weather on the day. If it's clear and dry with light winds you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.
In gale force winds and driving rain or sleet in the dark and mist you'll know what the fuss was about....
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