The Pennine Way - Day 14
Byrnes to Hen Hole Mountain Refuge Hut
Distance 29km Climb 960m
Thursday 7th April 2011
This was a
good day, possibly the best yet. Whether
this was because I had previously walked many of these paths before or not I am
not sure. I was among some old friends
and made some new. I certainly felt I
was on home ground.
It was
sunshine all the way throughout the day, although there was a very cold wind.
When I spoke
to the man at the campsite he confirmed the garage cafe shut a long time ago,
so it looked like no breakfast. I only
had a few rations left and planned to keep them for my evening meal.
Lovely little alpaca |
A little lizard on Byrness Hill |
The view West from Byrness Hill |
Turning
right, East towards the Roman Camps. A
sharp turn North East took me onto the route of a Roman Road called The
Street. I had always liked it in this area
but it had been a number of years since I had last been here. What a beautiful clear day.
Walking North
again for about 3 km then turning North East towards Lamb Hill at 511m,
Beefstand Hill 562m, Mozie Law 552m.
Before heading East to Windy Gyle at 610m.
Lamb Hill |
Wild goats |
Look at that view |
Windy Gyle 610m |
Spot height 531m near King Seat Cairn |
At 1700hrs I
could see what we had called Smacky Bottom Hill, many years ago when my
children came out with us walking, we had a little scene on this hill, hence
the name Smacky Bottom Hill. It was
really Hedgehope Hill
Near the
track junction where you can move up to the Cheviot the path is on a board walk. I was so grateful for the board and stone
parts of The Way, not only do they help with navigation they also help maintain
a good pace. I could only imagine how
difficult it would have been without the boards, walking in the soft wet peat. When I was planning to do The Way I had
originally thought about including The Cheviot, however at the time of day I
arrived at the junction and by now I was feeling very fatigued as well as the
almost had constant pain in my legs and shoulders, I decided to head directly to the
Mountain Rescue Hut at the Hen Hole.
I set myself
up in the hut and had the last of my food, I had a little snack left with some
hot chocolate powder that I would keep for breakfast. If I had stayed with the days I had arranged
to stop at places I wonder if I would have felt so drained or had I pushed myself to far. It didn't help that places I had expected to stop for food were closed.
Mountain Rescue Hut - Hen Hole |
I would get
up and look outside a few times through the night. The views were fantastic, with the night sky
colours.
I would be
finished tomorrow. I felt sad it was
going to be over. I also felt glad it
was going to be over. I don’t know why I
put myself through this.
I had been
walking just under 10 hours and had covered 29km with approx 960m of climb.
More to follow.
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Pennine Way or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow link to previous - Day 13 Bellingham to Byrness
Follow link to next - Day 15 Hen Hole Mountain Rescue Hut to Kirk Yetholm
Follow link to other walks in the area
Lamb Hill
Windy Gyle
Auchope Cairn via The Cheviot
Harthope Burn to The Cheviot via Mountain Refuge Hut 12 May 2016
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