Saltergate Circuit - 6th October 2012

16 + miles of the Saltergate Circuit; the “short route” of this annual fund raising event.

After a lengthy summer break from the trails following the annual Lyke Wake Race in early July, it was great to be back out today, padding along on mixed terrain, and being supportive, once again, of the Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Service …. Things I'll do for a plate of Pie & Peas eh. But, what better event than the annual Saltergate Circuit to indulge in?

It never takes much to tempt me back onto my favourite landscape of the North Yorkshire Moors and as today’s 16 and a bit miles of track also represents the longest outing to date of the Lady of the house then its a further milestone and another trip to remember ... fingers crossed eh?

Once again the usual suspects were out in force: Jon Steele (who is now running Ultra distances every Saturday) accompanied by Shirley (who, not for the first time, would be first lady back on the long route). Then, equally delighted to bump into Fred Clapham once again from Ripon who I hadn't seen since Swaledale! He too invited me to around three events within the next month or so; like I said … great to be back.

The old adage I've used many a time of kicking off “under a cloudless sky” was never more apt than this morning … it did cloud a little later as the day wore on but a glorious blue start helped us along the tracks and onto the plantation roads through Cropton Forest. Then, following glimpses over the conifer tops, out onto the bottom of Wheeldale Moor – familiar to Lyke Wake participants – and into the wide open clear big skies and broad unbroken expanses of moorland heather and tracks.

First time I've seen the old Roman Road of Wades Causeway today and very impressive it is too but difficult to keep a steady line going and so we followed the leaders through the tussocks, on what would have been a parallel Roman pavement, eventually turning right, heading via a steep dip east to cross the Wheeldale Stepping Stones …

… Before continuing steadily upwards to Simon Howe, our highest and most exposed point of the day - both physically and visually.

Catching our breath back on the now downward and southbound run along Simon Howe Rigg, returning towards the extensive conifer plantations covering Wilden Moor, I glanced over my shoulder to the last glimpse of those wild moors…

… And my thoughts returned to my most recent summer reading material.

Robert MacFarlane wrote very observantly and movingly of The Wild Places and again most recently of The Old Ways, both of which capture my prevailing aspirations – the desire to seek out and experience the wilder aspects of our landscape – some of which is under the threat of much change. The view directly ahead at this point could identify many points contained within the modern UK landscape – the never ending regimented rows of conifers lying like a blanket in their uniformity, undulating over crests and down into ravines as far as the eye can see. Being no expert on the merits of these modern plantations and their benefits to the ecosystems and economies in general, I would just love to see, now and then, an old Oak forest perhaps with Beech, Hornbeam, even small Elms on their way back? Studying the OS Map for today’s route, the large swathes of green are mostly conifers. I only discerned two small deciduous woodland sections: The drop into Newton Dale, down Needle Point, and much later on the penultimate climb through Raygate Slack.

Churlish perhaps to mention this but it didn't detract from our enjoyment of the event as even the most monotonous of plantation tracks gave way to sudden unexpected views across the Moors.

But not before a truly dark section through Piflehead Wood – made up of, yes, ancient conifers planted tightly side by side. So close as to completely block light penetration from the canopy above us …

… and I half expected to bump into Galadriel, so different was this dark, ashy environment from the surrounding sunny open green and purple moorlands … “ I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out”…

... but we soon emerged unscathed, so I never required that light, and then the views remained fantastic. …

Looking North towards Fylingdales Moor and the warning station …

… Down Southwards into the Hole of Horcum itself …

… Penultimately down the steep drop towards the last checkpoint tent prior to Levisham Station …

Then the station itself …

Before the final fag up Stony Moor and a boggy ankle tapping track back towards the finish at the Outdoor Centre at Stape, where we kicked off over 3 ½ hours ago.

Returning to that Pie and Peas dish, taking part in the shorter event meant we were back before the full hubbub recommenced and never was a full plate accompanied by a steaming mug of tea more welcome. Sitting in the quiet of the Stape Outdoor Centre, we reflected on a fine morning outdoors. We came through the event having been well supported throughout by the Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue team, many pairs were stationed remotely on far removed checkpoints and for their encouraging words many thanks, some checkpoints were more heavily manned such as number 5 at Wardle Rigg.

I'm sure I saw a frying pan on a hob? But no bacon sandwich was offered. perhaps that was for team sustenance and moral only – it was going to be a long day as many walkers were taking part. 150, we were informed, so, a terrific number and every penny goes towards this worthy cause. Many thanks again and I hope all went well … be back for the Ravenscar Half next year.