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Swaledale Outdoor Club |
| > Home > Newsletter > Walking > Walk from Hasty Bank |
Walk from Hasty BankThe OS guide advises that walkers should choose a clear day for this challenging and strenuous walk in order to appreciate its superb views, and so it was as 12 hopeful walkers and Jess met at Clay Bank Car Park. All of us looked forwards to a fine Autumn day's walking - fortunately few had heard the day's weather forecast that morning....... Judith was under the impression that Ian had got a new dog until it was pointed out that it was just a clean Jess! Entente cordiale was the order of the day as we welcomed Edwin and xxxx from the Netherlands out on their first adventure with SOC (Note to committee - as an anaesthetist and psychiatrist they should prove invaluable SOC members). With stout heart Judith led her merry band very slowly up Hasty Bank, where we managed to lose the path almost immediately. Her recovery was however enviable, and in masterly (or is it mistressly?) fashion led us through a balletic sequence of very smelly bogs across Urra Moor. Yvonne recommended that the trick was to keep moving very quickly - advice marred only by the fact that it came at the end of the bog hop and when we all had a fair amount of clag to dislodge. And so we made our soggy way across to Seave Green where Ian impressed us all by tugging an (allegedly) trapped sheep out of some brambles. After lunch (at an unknown spot to me as my map had run out) enlivened by story topping tales of fancy dress, bad experiences in the NHS and the phwar factor of Michael Palin (don't let anyone tell you we aren't intellectuals) we walked across Cold Moor towards Lord Stones Caf‚ and up towards Falconers Seat. It was at this point the weather let us down and instead of fine views across Cleveland we found ourselves enveloped in swirling mist and persistent rain. Rather dramatically it felt as if we were walking on the edge of the world as our intrepid little band pressed on across the small stretch of the Cleveland Way and the Wainstones risking life and limb (well ok ankles) on greasy stonework, as we slowly wend our way back down to Clay Bank. A fine day's walking was had by all and some of us ended a refreshing day by having a little drinkie in the Spread Eagle in Stokesley, and Yvonne got a bargain with a fine pot of tea for just 60p. Thank you Judith and I promise I will learn to tie my bootlaces for future walks. Liz Smith |