Walking and Climbing

I have planned my second Dartmoor wild camp of the year; this time over South Dartmoor.  I'll start at West Buckfastleigh and head up Pupers Hill via Strole & Lud Gate.  From there it is NNE to Snowdon then NE to Ryder's Hill.  Next is Nakers Hill via Avon Head.  Then onto Green Hill to Red Lake.  Then I'll head East to Broad Falls (I'll propbably camp here again).  In the morning I'll follow the Avon to the Avon Dam then head to South Brent to be picked up by my Girlfriend (a couple of years ago I walked from Broad Falls to Churchstow: never again).

 The usual question really (aimed in particular at Mole): am I missing any wothwhile detours?

Simon.

seeing as you are out that way, one diversion could be to Duckspool, Blacklane Brook (try to find the small caves? - Philpotts cave and Grants Pot ), Erme Pits is well worth a mooch about, then back down the Erme and up Redlake ...

To save the road walking, why not get your GF to pick you up at Shipley bridge? , or take a higher level route back towards S Brent (e.g. via Ball Gate/Aish or Owley Moor Gate and footpaths to Ladys Wood)

Thanks Mole, just the kind of local inside knowledge I was after.

Re. the Route back, I was following the Avon as much as possible before South Brent, I remember coming out at a Public river walk through some woods: it wasn't too bad.

I was hoping to follow the River all the way to Lodiswell but it was unacheivable.  If It isn't too deep could I wade through?

Nah forget that, I'll try to get picked up.  The reason why I suggested South Brent is beacuse I knew I got signal there, If I remember correctly I didn't pick up a good signal till then.

I must admit Mole I was expecting a mega-detour but it's only a mile due west to Ducks Pool from Green Hill.  I'll pop down the hill to look at the Erme Pits too (might even pitch there).

 Do you know the grid refs for the caves?

 I anticipate starting around 4.00pm (so not so far till I pitch).  I found a cracking spot last time at Broad falls so I might go there again (unlees the  Erme pits are a better prospect).

There were already campers at red lake and I'm guessing this might be the case again (although it won't be a weekend camp this time).

I'm now planning to add Ducks Pool, Broad Rock, Stone Circle at Grim's Grave (SX613664) before heading to the Erme Pits, I'll then try to find Philpotts Cave before Red Lake.

Is it sacrilege to pitch in the middle of a stone circle?

SD - spoil yourself and take a swim at Redlake.  Suggest go in from the west - there's a handy boulder at water level I use.  If water low, the eastern side/beachy area gets stodged up by cattle.  You can also go in at the SW end where it is quite sandy if it's clean enough, i.e. not cattle-stodged.  You won't get a more expansive swim on Dartmoor!

Re pitch in stone circle, I have often wonder the same.  It's a hut, not a chapple, so would hope it's ok, provided you respect it!

As you head south from BF, look out for the vermin trap by the thorn bush (rowan?) about 200 - 400 m south of BF.  The path more or less goes through it but many aren't aware and miss it.  There's another towards Huntingdon Cross but less easy to find.  The big 'upturned baths' of earth all over the place are, as you may know, rabbit burries (pillow mounds).

Your route is very much my stamping ground - know it well.  Hope to bivi out there tonight.

Have fun!

Rob

good call swimming in Redlake - I've only done it once - Easter hols 1985.  there was no sand where we went in - just stinky sticky clay! will have to go back there on a sunny day

stone circle =hut?

Simon

if it's Grims Grave (cairn circle with kist)you are thinking of pitching in the centre of.......

Mole - cist is on Brown Heath, just east of confluence of RL and Erme.  If you don't know it, it's worth a look, still has cover slab across half of it and I reckon a small person would get in under it.

Stone circle - sorry, was thinking that the route SD was on was away from stone circles and so had hut circles in mind (I'm meant to be working at home today so wasn't concentrating!  No - wouldn't consider pitching or biviing in a stone circle - asking for trouble!  Black death or somesuch?

Enjoy your night out.  We may head to Black Cave or a new bivi spot I found last year, high above EP near a hut that's not marked.  Trouble is, forecast not good and the fog is dropping - I look up to Snowdon from here - or did!

Yes chaps, I always enjoy a wild swim so just might have a dip in Red Lake.  It was Grim's Grave I was enquiring about: I wouldn't do it, it just seems wrong.  Some old Bronze Age Burial place for someone who was important in their day.

nigh on impossible I'd say - that chamber in the middle is about the size of a large Belfast Sink.


Last nights trip out was fun - started at 5pmish from Postbridge- up  the East Dart to Kit Rocks, over Cut Hill to camp at Fur Tor 8pm-ish.  Map free for this section, as the rain and mist (nearly) held off enough all the way. 

Light mizzly rain started in earnest as we pitched. 5.7miles

A wander down and back to Cut Combe for water, by which time the mist was well down.

Supper was eaten outside the tents which were pitched in the lee of the main outcrop,

then we met in my Hex for chat, cheese and wine. Very civilised. Suddenly it was nearly 1am.

up at 7, very misty and rainy.  50m - 100m visibility. off around 8am.

A Different day - map and compass work for much of the way, inc. some timings and one initial paced section.

We carefully navigated to the ring contour SW of Cut Hill, thence to the tinners hut on the S Tavy, over the spot height 563m through Horse Hole to Rough Tor.  Then E to Browns House. Good visibility was regained as we arrived at Hoax Tor.  Then back down to cross Braddon Lake and so to Postbridge.  5.2miles seemed much longer in the mist....

A quick detour to the Foxtor cafe for a late breakfast, then back to Exeter by 12.30

I'd upload a couple of snaps, but it won't let me.

I'm having the same problem uploading pictures Mole; are you getting this?

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