Trip Reports

So went home, applied for leave, packed my bag, and after nearly an hours drive  I was walking from Two Bridges carpark in darkness.

An overcast sky with high cloudbase meant that I hardly needed a torch for the first half mile.  Then once the terrain made me keep the torch a lot more on than off, it made more sense to have it on full time.

Near on 2 miles, and I was at Longaford Tor.  Skirted the main mass of Rocks to find a nice Scarp sized piece of dryish flat ground just out of the worst of the wind.  Just over an hour from the car and I was pitched and unpacking the rest of my gear.

A pleasant feast of leftover Christmas dinner (we were away boxing day) plus salad, cheese n chutney accompanied by hot Mulligatawny soup and a can of Pedigree Bitter (not Chum)  followed by a measure of Sloe Gin and chocolate raisins enabled the Christmas feeling 'fullness' to continue. (phew - who needs punctuation?)

Stupidly, I also had a cup of coffee - which was pleasant, but meant I didn't get to sleep till way past midnight.  I was reading and listening to music, when the cheapo AA 'emergency phone charger' I was trying out started glowing and smouldering causing a minor kerfuffle whilst I chucked it out and aired the tent of the burnt chemical odour it emitted! (I bought it following a link someone left on an OM thread a month or so back  - thanks!)  A couple of bimbles around the tor and the obligatory guyline fiddle, also passed the time.

Woken at 4 am, by the wind getting up even more, and a long series of glowing flashes in the sky (quite bright even in the tent) which I initially though was lightning.  But then I realised it must have been the army doing night-time 'Dry Training' with parachute flares over near Holming Beam.

When I awoke again it was light.  A leisurely breakfast, then I struck camp just as a vicious half hour shower appeared - and my route led me into it face on

I had to cross the West Dart, and not wanting wet feet (I had boots on for once) having forgotten my poles, decided to play it safe and cross upstream where it was 'jumpable' (almost)

Tracked down a Kistvaen and some hut circles, and then wandered up to an unnamed outcrop when the sun came out again for  a while.  The rest of the trip was fairly windy, with a series of hail showers between the sunny spells.

Up to Devils tor, then  round the top of the Cowsic valley to Conies Down Tor where I met a dedicated geocacher - who found his 'treasure' under 4" of water!

Back across the Cowsic and up to the largest of the Beardown Tors where I stopped out of the wind for a brew and lunch.

nah - just me. 

Cheers - had to be done.

It was the only evening free till 2012.

Dartmoor?? Thought I read Tor in your writeup. Never been there. Camping is legal down there right?? I fancy a visit. Where would the best first visit be in your opinion?? Mention no wildcamp spots of course just areas and start points.

Nice photos BTW and write-up. Should have said that first.

Nice trip report, Mole

Haven't been to Dartmoor this year - will remedy in 2012!

Kelvin wrote (see)

I had a hangover there this year... Tim's was worse.

Is that a Jam2 Mole?

Always nice to see a Scarp in use

Must be really satisfying to nick an overnighter, especially at short notice - liked your report and photos the spot you choose looked good too.

 I covered part of your route when I did a WC heading out from Postbridge in October. Look forward to visiting the Moor again later in the in year hopefully.

Great little write up and pics, thanks Mole , enjoyed that.

LiL, if you're coming down the M5, turn onto the A30 near Exeter and there's good parking and easy access onto the North moor from Belstone (just off the A30).

just looked at this  - sorry - thanks for comments. 

El Manana - it is a Jam - the version after the the Jam 2 (2009?). I had the original Jam, which I sold for £40 after I bought this one in a sale for £45!  Much better pack IMO.

Trenchfoot if I remember  - yours was a major bog trot for a first timetrip

LiL - camping is 'legal' in many sections of the open moor and, like most hill areas  tolerated in others.  If you want to be sure you are 'legal' ...

Mole wrote (see)

Trenchfoot if I remember  - yours was a major bog trot for a first timetrip