Bulby's Wood to Shill Moor Cairn, Ingram Valley - Northumberland 27 Dec 2012.

Bulby's Wood to Shill Moor Cairn and return
Ingram Valley
Northumberland
Distance 16km Climb 680m
Thursday 27th December 2012

I cannot remember the last time I was walking in Ingram Valley, it seems like a long time ago.  It also seems a long time since I was last out walking, too long, I am out of practice.

It was raining very heavy when I arrived at the Bulby's Wood car park 130m.  The ground was soaking with all the rain that had fallen recently.  I was following a route we used to do with the children years ago.  From the car park I took the path West up Brough Law 300m to an old settlement.  I was out of shape and could feel it on the climb.  I can remember when I used to run up and down here with hardly breaking breath.  Today I was going to take my time with plenty of stops to take photos.  

Busby Wood car park

View East towards Ingram

Cafe

View from Brough Law looking West

From Brough Law I moved South East across Ewe Hill.  I was heading towards an old settlement shown as a fort on the map.  The ground was very wet with patches of snow and it was slippery in places.

From the fort I moved up and across the side of the hill, West towards Chesters Burn.

Coming across the edge of the hill I moved down towards the burn and found it was very slippery.  At the bottom of the hill, the streams were overflowing and water was finding its own way down hill, running all over the place, and it was deep in some places.  I dithered about trying to find a way across, I should have just went for it.  In the end I just had to go for it anyway, dithering just wasted time.

Through the gate I stood on the bank of the burn, with the rain and all the water lying in the area I expected the burn to be full, and it was.  I had a quick look about to find a way across, was I dithering again?  In the end I just went for it and waded across.  I could feel the force of the water as I crossed, fortunately I had kept my waterproof trousers on so I did not get too wet, not.

Crossing the burn I headed through what was left of the wood and continued West towards Chesters 270m.  In the past I had always found this ground to be very wet, even when the weather has been very dry.  Today as my feet were now wet it didn't matter and I just splashed through the streams and puddles regardless.

Looking West towards Chesters

View South - South East from Chesters

After a quick snack at Chesters I headed up and over the ridge, continuing West.  Going down towards the wood I found the path very slippery.

Looking West towards Alnhammoor

Looking East towards Brough Law

The path through the wood was clear of snow but due to the water that was in the ground this was also slippery.

The ground levels off as I moved out of the wood.  However being flat, water had collected in many places and the ground was very boggy.  I continued West towards Alnhammoor 210m, crossed the bridge, after a quick look at my map I decided to continue West along the path.

Alnhammoor

After passing through a gate there was a small drop down to another stream, crossing the stream over a slippery bridge, I started up a steady climb.  The higher up I moved over the Scaud the more snow there was.  After a sandwich and a snack I moved on.  The higher I moved the colder it was getting and the deeper the snow was getting.

View North East from Scaud

Great Standrop and Hedgehope Hill

 

As I moved up, the snow was getting deeper, but the views were brilliant.  I reached Shill Moor Cairn 528m.  After a few photos it was time to turn back.

Moving down the hill I found it harder going, as it was very slippery in places.  Walking up hill I could get a better grip on the snow than walking down hill.  I slipped and slide my way down back to the stream, over the slippery foot bridge to Alnhammoor.

From Alnhammoor I decided to stay on the road and head back to Bulby's Wood car park.

Looking back to Shill Moor Cairn.

Brough Law

Road to Busby Wood

I had walked for approx 6hrs and covered approx 16km with approx 680m climb, I had had an enjoyable day out walking.

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 in Northumberland or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow links to other walks in this area.
Cushat Law, Bloodybush Edge from Breamish Valley 17 May 2016.
Dod Hill via Reaveley Hill and Heddon 21 April 2016
Shill Moor - Ingram Valley 15 July 2015
Cochrane Pike - Ingram Valley 30 Dec 2013
Great Standrop via Hedgehope - Ingram Valley 2 Feb 2013
Hedgehope Hill - Ingram Valley 12 Jan 2013.